Spring-flowering bulbs, namely daffodils, tulips, crocuses, and hyacinths, are among the easiest plants to grow and the most affordable to buy. Nurseries are stocked full with such bulbs, beginning in late summer. Nurseries often put their bulbs on display several weeks before it's time to plant. Check with the nursery staff for the ideal planting date and either wait, or go ahead and buy, then store the bulbs in a cool, dry place until planting time.
Spring-flowering bulbs need a certain number of hours of cold temperatures in order to bloom. The six-inch soil temperature should be below 60 degrees before you plant them, which means the ideal planting date will vary considerably depending on where you live. Gardeners in Zones 2 and 3 should plant their bulbs in September; in Zones 4 and 5, October; in Zones 6 and 7, November; and in Zone 8, December. If your garden is in Zone 9, you may have to pre-cool your bulbs for 12 to 20 weeks in the refrigerator to ensure a successful bloom, or order them from mail-order sources that offer pre-cooled bulbs.
If you miss the ideal planting time for your zone, you can plant bulbs as long as the ground isn't frozen. The later you plant, the later the blooms will appear in spring, and the stems may be shorter than usual.
Shopping for Bulbs
When shopping for bulbs, inspect the bulbs carefully and select only those that are solid and heavy. Loose skins are okay, but steer clear of those that have mold or show signs of rot. Almost all spring-flowering bulbs require full sun when they are actively growing. By the time they go dormant, they can tolerate full shade. Remember--the larger the bulb, the larger the bloom.
Planting Bulbs
To produce picture-book flowers, bulbs must be grown in a loose, rich soil that drains well. Loosen heavy or compacted soil with a pitchfork and add plenty of compost or shredded leaves. Specific depths for various types of bulbs can be misleading, so stick with the general rule for planting depth, which is three to four times the height of the bulb.
The easiest ways to plant bulbs are by digging individual holes and by preparing a bed in which several bulbs can be planted at once.
To plant individual bulbs, use a specially designed bulb planter--a hand-held model, which you push into the ground, twist, and lift, or a larger version of the same thing that allows you to stand up while digging the holes. Once you've created a hole, place the bulb in it, pointed side up, and push the soil out of the planter to cover. These bulb planters allow you to make holes up to six inches deep. A trowel works well also, especially with small bulbs such as crocuses and grape hyacinths. Stab the trowel in the ground, pull it toward you, drop a bulb in the hole, and firm the soil. To plant several bulbs at once, space large bulbs roughly six inches apart and smaller bulbs two- to-three inches apart. Then cover with soil.
You can also use this planting method to grow different types of bulbs in the same area. For instance, you could plant a few daffodils first, then cover with a few inches of soil, plant a few crocuses, and cover with more soil. The crocuses will bloom first and the daffodils will follow shortly thereafter. You can also use this method to combine spring-, summer-, and fall-flowering bulbs for three seasons of color from the same bed. Plant bulbs in groups of at least six, or plant a whole bunch of them for a naturalized effect by placing a few dozen bulbs in a sack, tossing them on the ground, and planting them where they fall. Many bulbs will thrive for a number of years without any care. However, a little attention never hurts.
After planting, apply a two- to-three inch layer of light mulch to maintain even soil moisture and suppress weeds. Keep the area well watered to encourage bulbs to develop strong root systems.
As for fertilizer, you can make some at home. Mix equal parts of blood meal, bone meal, and greensand and apply at the rate of five pounds per 100 square feet just before the foliage begins to emerge in late winter or early spring. Sprinkle the mixture on top of the soil or mulch and water well. Or simply pull back the mulch and tip-dress the planting area with about an inch of compost each spring and fall.
Here are a few other tips for keeping bulbs healthy:
- Once the bulb's foliage begins to fade, allow it to die back to the ground naturally so the plant can continue to photosynthesize and produce food for next year's growth.
- Don't try to braid the foliage or tie it with a rubber band. That can do more harm than good.
- Remember to deadhead tulips and daffodils by gently removing their faded flowers. In the case of daffodils especially, be prepared to dig and divide them every 10 years or so.
Here is a list of some favorite spring-, summer- and fall-flowering bulbs:
Spring-flowering bulbs: aconites, allums, anemones, crocuses, daffodils, dog-tooth violets, fritillaries, glory-of-the-snow, grape hyacinths, hyacinths, reticulated iris, Siberian squill, snowdrops, star of Bethlehem, summer snowflakes and tulips.
Summer-flowering bulbs: caladiums, calla lilies, cannas, crocosmie, dahlias, gladiolas, lilies and tuberous begonias.
Fall-flowering bulbs: Autumn crocuses, spider lilies and hardy cyclamen.
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