Tips to Grow Bulb Flowers in your Garden

 

 

Bulbs are loved by gardeners due to the ease with which they grow. Also bulb flowers can bloom again and again for many consecutive seasons without the need to replant.  With all these advantages, bulb plants are so popular among both new and experienced gardeners.

However, choosing the right bulbs is one thing that many beginning gardeners have trouble with. Once you develop and eye for finding the best bulbs, you will be able to spot them from across the garden center.

• When choosing bulbs for your garden, it is important to choose the firmest and largest bulbs.

 

•  Large bulbs are more likely to provide many blooms. Therefore the size of the bulb is important.

 

•  The firmness of the bulb is a good indication of its health. Therefore bulbs that are soft or mushy are unlikely to bloom. 

• Bulbs are particularly susceptible to water damage. Therefore it is important to choose a bulb that is not so soft.

 

•  Look for cracks or scars.  Bulbs with cracks or scars may have become too dry to bloom. Therefore this is an important factor to consider.

 

•  Any bulbs that have begun to spout roots should be avoided. They are unlikely to bloom properly once planted.

 

• Once you select the right bulbs to plant, the next important factor is how bulbs are planted in the garden.  Most bulbs are best planted in the fall, most commonly in early to mid October. Here, the goal is to get the bulbs into the ground six weeks before the ground begins to freeze. Therefore it is obvious that the best time to plant will vary from location to location. 

 

•  Bulbs should be planted in a well prepared soil. The depth they should be planted will be determined by the type of bulb.  

• For example, crocus bulbs are generally planted four inches deep while daffodil and hyacinth bulbs six inches deep.Tulip bulbs at a depth of eight inches.

 

•  You can also use a simple gardening tool called a Bulb Planter

  It is great for achieving a more uniform look to the blooming garden.  Bulb planters can be used to prepare perfect looking rows of flowers easily.

 

•  Gardeners who prefer a more wild and freewheeling look, often dig a single hole and plant several bulbs in it. This method can lead to spectacular, and unpredictable, patterns once the bulbs begin to bloom.

• When planting bulbs, use a small amount of fertilizer at the bottom of each hole you dig.  After that, top the fertilizer with a thin layer of soil. Then place the bulb carefully on top of the soil. 

•  It is important not to place the bulb directly on top of the fertilizer. This could damage the bulb. 

•  Always plant the bulbs with the pointed end stick up and the flat, rooted side lying on top of the layer of soil. 

•  Once the bulbs are in place, the rest of the hole should be filled with soil. Then the garden should be given a thorough watering.

•  It is important to take care of the bulbs over the winter.  In warmer climates, many bulbs can remain in the ground over winter. Also it is important, to remove tender bulbs such as dahlias, even in warmer climates. These bulbs should be stored over the winter in a cool, dry location

 

Bulbs provide wonderful plants for any gardener. This is same for any gardener from the newest to the most experienced.  Their combination of hardiness, color and beauty make them hard to beat for any flower enthusiast.

Grow some bulb flowers and enjoy the joy of gardening.