| Fall Bulb Planting for Beautiful Spring Displays |
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| This page last updated 08/01/10 |
| You are listening to Enya - Lazy Days. |
| Order your spring flowering bulbs in August to begin planting from September until the ground has frozen. Daffodils, however, will do best if planted early in the fall so they have time to develop a good root system. All fall planted bulbs will grow best if planted in a sunny location, although most will tolerate partial shade. Bulbs that bloom early in the spring can be planted in areas that will be shaded later in the season once the trees leaf out. Bulbs should be planted in well drained soil and they will appreciate being planted with some good compost or well aged manure. Bulbs don't care for heavy clay soils, but clay soil can be improved by adding compost and a bit of sand, working it in to a depth of 12 to 18 inches. For bulbs to bloom well over many years, it is important to plant them at the proper depth. A good rule of thumb is to plant a bulb twice as deep as the height of the bulb. Spring bulbs are their prettiest when planted in groups and they can be planted closely together, but the bulbs should not be touching each other. In most cases they should be planted 4 to 6 inches apart. Bulbs should be planted with the roots downward, but occasionally it can be difficult to tell which is the root end of a bulb. If in doubt, just plant the bulbs lying on their sides. The bulbs will know which way is up when they start to grow. Thoroughly water your bulbs after planting. Cover the planted area immediately with a layer of mulch. The mulch will keep the soil warm enough to allow the bulbs to start growing roots before the ground freezes. Mulch also keeps the bulbs from waking up too early in the spring when the buds could be damaged by a late freeze. |
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