Planting Spring blooming bulbs

You may be wondering when to plant bulbs? Fall is the ideal time to plant spring blooming bulbs.

Here is a quick reference for what you should do:

-When buying bulbs, check for quality. Be sure they are firm without soft spots or white mold.

-Plant bulbs as late as November-December before the ground freezes. Temperatures above 45 degrees will give them time to develop as good root system.

-Bulbs need a light, well-drained soil or they will rot. For heavy, clay soil, incorporate organic materials such as peat moss or compost to improve drainage.

-Bulbs do not require fertilizer but will perform better when fed. Work up the soil and add bulb booster or a 5-10-10 fertilzer for vigorous future growth. The bulb should have no contact with the fertilizer, as it will burn developing roots. You can put bone meal in the bottom of the hole. Once planted, sprinkle bulb fertilizer on top of the backfilled soil in the fall or spring. Mulch planted bulbs after the ground freezes to protect from freezing/thawing cycle and remove in the spring.

-Planting depth: A general guide for tulips and daffodils is 3 times the diameter of the bulb. Cover small bulbs such as scillas, grape hyacinths, snowdrops with 2”of soil and large bulbs 6-8 inches. Other bulbs may vary a bit. Check package directions. In warmer climates bulbs can be planted 2 inches shallower.

-Plant pointed tip up, if not sure plant the bulb on its side, it will find its way up.

-If you have rabbits or squirrels digging up your bulbs, this is what you can do. When planting cover the bulbs with half the soil, then cover place chicken wire and fill in with the remaining soil (at least 1 inch). The chicken wire will keep the critters from digging up the bulbs.