Fall Bulb Planting for Spring Blooms
Cool weather is slowly approaching, and I could not be more excited! And, believe it or not, now is the time to start planting bulbs! For those of you who have never worked with bulbs or who have been too scared to start, I hope my tips will take out the guesswork and help to prepare you for beautiful blooms in the spring.
The first thing you need to know is that there are two different seasons for bulbs: spring-blooming and summer-blooming. We will be planting spring-blooming bulbs because—as the temperatures start to cool more this month—the soil reaches perfect conditions for the bulbs to take. Summer-blooming bulbs should be planted in the spring once the soil has warmed back up While these tender bulbs bring us elephant ears and Oriental lilies, the hardy, spring-blooming bulbs produce the bright petals of tulips, daffodils, dahlias, and more! Click here to purchase your spring-blooming bulbs.
The first step in planting is to find an area that will provide drainage and plenty of sunlight. You can plant your bulbs in a slightly shady area, but they will most likely last only for the first bloom and will not carry on to the next spring. The soil is the most important part of getting your beauties to bloom! The soil should be slightly sandy or loamy (ideal plant growing medium) to make certain the bulbs don’t become mushy from excess trapped moisture.
Each bulb should be planted two to three times deeper than it is tall, but also check the planting instructions because every plant has slightly different needs. Plant with the roots facing downward, pointed end up. If you cannot determine which side goes down, the great thing about bulbs is that you can plant it sideways and it will still find its way to the surface and bloom upright. Cover bulbs with soil and a light layer of mulch, water well. Now, all you must do is wait! After the cold, gray winter months, you will be happily surprised when your bulbs start to pop up in the spring!
Send me pictures of your bulb prep—and your spring-blooming babes in a few months! Happy Gardening!