Flower power in a little package that takes weeks or even months to see effects is worth it. Plants with tuberous roots, tubers, corms, and rhizomes all fall under the umbrella term “bulb,” and the information here can be applied to all of them. Beautiful bulbs may be grown by anyone with a little basic knowledge.
For some reason, light bulbs always appear like they’re working by some sort of magic. Everything a plant needs to thrive can be found in a single, spherical, papery bulb. Your spring or summer garden will be enchanting with the addition of bulbs. If you’re planning to grow bulbs in your garden this year, you’ll need to know everything you need to know in advance, including how to prepare the site and how deep to plant bulbs. Find out how to plant bulbs, including how deep to plant bulbs of various sizes, in the next section.
About Bulbs When Planting
Spring or summer blooming is the norm for most bulb species. Bulbs for the spring and summer seasons can be planted at the same time, in the fall. There are many similarities between planting bulbs and garden plants in terms of the first preparations required. Make sure that the soil is cultivated to a depth of 12 to 14 inches (31 to 35 centimeters) and that it drains properly. Clay soil can benefit from the addition of organic compost to improve drainage.
The next step is to incorporate the necessary nutrients to ensure a healthy bloom for your bulbs. To do this, you first need to know the planting depth for the bulbs you’ve selected. Before planting the bulbs, add phosphorus and other fertilizers to the soil. Bulb fertilizer can also be added to the mix. Bulb planting depth is the point where all nutrients should be deposited – the point at which you plant your bulbs.
WHERE TO FIND BULBS
Spring bulbs and summer bulbs are the two primary categories of bulbs.
The spring bulb, also known as the hardy bulb, is a bulb that is planted in autumn and blooms in the spring. Tulips, irises, daffodils, hyacinths, alliums, and crocus are some of the most common spring bulbs. For these bulbs to fully bloom, they must be exposed to freezing weather for several weeks.
Known as sensitive bulbs, these spring-planted bulbs bloom or leaf out in the summer months. Summer bulbs include gladiolus, lilies, caladiums, and elephant ears. Dahlias that bloom until fall are an example of a plant that blooms later in the summer or for a longer period of time.
Planting summer bulbs should wait until the earth has warmed up and frost is no longer a concern because they are sensitive to chilly temperatures. If you buy them ahead of time, keep them somewhere cold and dry until you’re ready to plant them.
WHEN TO PLANT BULBS
BULBS: WHEN TO PLANT THEM
- Spring-flowering bulbs can be planted as soon as the ground is cool, the evening temperatures are between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and the earth has at least six to eight weeks before freezing. Ideally, this should occur as soon as the product has been purchased, although there is some flexibility here. While bulbs can be kept in the refrigerator until they are ready to be planted, it is not recommended.
The best time to sow summer-flowering bulbs is from mid to late spring. - Temperatures in Zones 8 to 10 need chilling spring-flowering bulbs for six to ten weeks in the refrigerator before planting, depending on the bulb. For additional information on how to keep bulbs fresh in the refrigerator, see the Helpful Hints below.)
- Early to mid-spring is the best time to plant summer-flowering bulbs.
The following are typical spring bulb planting times:
- Zones 4 and 5: September to October
- Zones 6 and 7 — October to early November
- Zones 8 and 9: November through the beginning of December
- Wintertime in Zone 10 (late December through early January)
Summer bulbs can be planted in a variety of ways:
- Zones 8 to 10 — Late March to May
- The months of May to June cover Zones 4 through 7.
THE RIGHT PLACE FOR SEEDS
It doesn’t really matter where you plant your bulbs as long as they have adequate drainage and exposure to sunlight. Bulbs decay if they are not properly drained. The nutrients and drainage provided by loamy or slightly sandy soil are ideal for them, thus they like it.
Flowers that bloom in the early spring can be placed under deciduous trees when the light is blocked out by their leaves. As a result, they’ll only be able to produce blossoms for the first year, as they’ll need sunshine later in the season to supply the leaves with energy for the following year.
CREATE A PLAN BEFORE YOU BUILD
Formal gardens, meadow gardens, lawns, trees, and beds and borders can all benefit from bulb plantings, which can be done in a variety of ways. Bulb plantings can last for several years if they are allowed to naturalize and multiply in their new location.
- To make a bigger impact, group your plants together.
- Plant a mix of early, mid, and late-season bloomers to stretch out the growing season.
- Plant taller bulbs in front of or with companion plants to hide withering foliage on low-growing bulbs that have outlived their usefulness.
- When planting kinds that bloom at the same time, layer plant heights from the front to the back.
- Container planting is an excellent choice for many bulbs since it allows you to bring them into view when they are flowering and then remove them when the foliage is fading or dormant. Potted plants should be spaced even closer together than the in-ground equivalent.
- Think about how the colors of the bulbs you choose will fit nicely with the rest of your decor.
- When bulbs are dormant, companion plants keep the planting area going. Sedum, coreopsis, thyme, cranesbill, daylilies, coral bells, brunnera, hosta, hellebores, and bleeding heart are all ideal perennial companions.
LEARN HOW TO GROW BULB
Individual holes can be excavated for each bulb, or the entire area can be bored to the required depth, the bulbs placed and then covered. Bedding plant augers make it easier to sow one at a time.
- The depth at which you should plant a particular bulb will depend on its species. Flowers that are buried too deeply may not bloom at all or may blossom late. New growth may be damaged by freezing conditions if it is planted too shallowly. Planting the bulb 2 to 3 times as deep as the bulb’s height is a decent general rule of thumb.
- Organic material can be added to the soil if it is needed for additional nutrients or to improve drainage. Follow the product guidelines if using a special bulb fertilizer.
- Orient the bulbs so that their pointed ends face up and their roots face down in the soil. You can put the bulb on its side if you don’t know if the top or bottom is up or down.
- Add dirt and a thin layer of mulch on top.
- As soon as the bulbs are in the ground, they should be watered thoroughly.
- If necessary, stake down wire mesh or chicken wire over the beds or plant bulbs in bulb baskets or wire cages.
BASKET WEED CONTROL
Lasagna (planting) is not only fantastic for Sunday dinner, but it’s also great for bulbs. Plant bulbs of varying sizes and blooming times in layers to ensure a continuous flow of flowers. This is ideal for large containers that are both deep and wide enough for this method to be effective. Here’s an example of a container-based construction strategy:
- A thick layer of potting soil at a planting depth of around 8 inches is recommended.
- a few daffodils or tulips that bloom late in the spring
- Add a further 6 inches of potting soil to complete the planting depth.
- Bring in bulbs that bloom in the middle of spring, such as tulips and hyacinths.
- Another 4 inches of potting soil is needed for planting.
- Begin by planting early-blooming bulbs like crocus and Galanthus.
- Another 2 inches of potting soil will be needed to complete the planting depth.
- Early-blooming bulbs like freesia or anemones can be added.
- Add a small layer of mulch and a fresh layer of potting soil on top.
- Add some filler plants like dusty miller or pansies while you’re waiting for the bulbs to grow in order to keep your garden looking its best.
- Using this strategy for a concentrated region planting can be done in the ground as well Smaller pots allow for fewer layers to be used.
CARE AND DISCOVERING BULBS IN THE AFTERCARE
All bulbs should be cut back after blooming, but only the flower stems should be removed. As soon as the leaves turn yellow and droop, they’re accumulating and storing energy for the upcoming season. It’s possible that bulbs will not perform well or at all if the foliage is chopped down too early in the year.
In warm climates, bulbs that need chilling can be dug up and stored until pre-chilling time the following fall. They can be left in the ground in colder regions. Many people will continue to grow and return year after year.
Summer bulbs can be protected and insulated by a covering of mulch if they are planted in the fall in areas with mild winters. If you live in a colder region, you’ll need to dig them out and store them until the spring.
PULLING OUT BULBS FROM THE GRAVEL
- Only a few inches of the plant’s remaining stems and leaves should be left.
- Remove the bulbs by carefully loosening the dirt surrounding them.
- Do your best to remove as much of the soil as possible from the bulb and roots.
- Allow them to dry for a few days on newspaper in a cool, shady location. Some bulbs are harmful, so keep them out of reach of pets and youngsters.
- You can keep it in a cardboard box with holes if you use an aerated paper bag. Adding a small amount of slightly damp vermiculite or perlite will help keep them from drying out.
- Store in a cool, dark, and dry environment, such as a basement or garage, where the temperature is between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Mold and decay in the bulbs should be checked on a monthly basis.
How Deep Do I Put Bulbs in the Ground?
Now that you’ve prepared the ground, it’s time to get started. The question of how deep to plant bulbs has come up recently. The size of the bulb is an important consideration when determining how deep to plant bulbs.
Bulb planting depth should be between two and three times the bulb’s length, as a general guideline Smaller bulbs like a grape hyacinth will be put closer to the surface than larger bulbs like tulips, which will be placed deeper in the soil.
3 inches (8 cm.) deep if your bulb is roughly an inch (2.5 cm.) long. Measuring from the soil’s surface to the bulb’s base is the correct method. If you plant too deep, you won’t be able to see any blossoms. You can, however, pull out the bulbs and replant them the next year at the proper depth.
INSIGHTFUL TIPS
- When storing or pre-chilling bulbs, avoid storing fruit or vegetables (particularly apples) in the refrigerator at the same time. In the bulb, the plant might be killed by the ethylene gas they generate.
- Bulbs in bloom look their best when the pH of the soil is between 6 and 7.
- For best results, plant bulbs in the same season that you bought them.
- It is a good idea to indicate the location of the bulbs if you intend to leave the bulbs in the ground when they are dormant.
- Aerated paper or mesh bags are the best way to keep bulbs fresh.
COST OF BULBS
To make it easier for you to choose the best bulbs, here are some pointers:
- The bulbs should not be soft or spongy to the touch.
- Select bulbs that are free of disease, mold, and other significant damage.
- There should be no root growth or sprouting at the time of purchase for bulbs. Lilies, on the other hand, often have meaty roots attached.
- With bulbs, the old adage, “you get what you pay for,” holds true. Bulb quality can mean the difference between a mediocre bloom and a spectacular one.
