Planting Bulbs
When planning to plant bulbs into your landscape, you must consider how much sunlight the area you are going to plant in has. Choose an area with good drainage, so bulbs don’t rot!
Soil Preparation
Prepare the soil by loosening it up and mix in organic amendments for added nutrients and for needed drainage if needed. Plant the bulb two to three times as deep as the bulb is tall!
Place the bulb in hole with the pointy side up and with the roots down. Cover with soil and a light layer of mulch. Water well to get them settled in.
Buying Bulbs
Bulbs should feel firm to the touch, not soft or spongy. Choose bulbs that have no signs of disease, mold or severe damage. At the time of purchase , bulbs should show little or no root growth or sprouting. Lilies are the exception, as they usually have fleshy roots attached.
After Care
For all bulbs, after blooming, cut only the flower stock back. Leave foliage intact until it turns yellow and wilts to the ground. The leaves are gathering and storing energy for next year.
Plan Before You Plant
Plant in clusters for greater visual effect. Bulbs can provide bright, vibrant colors, think about how those colors will blend in with their surroundings. Summer blooming bulbs are planted in the Spring , and Spring blooming bulbs are planted in the Fall.
Fertilization
Healthy first year bulbs come with everything they need and use for the first season. Bulbs don’t benefit from added bone meal until the following year.
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