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Bulbs Are Easy To Grow

Bulbs Easy To Grow

Bulbs, harbinger of spring that produce the first bright splashes of color on winter's grey cloak, are among the easiest flowers for the tyro gardener to grow.

First-year bulbs are almost fail-safe, containing all the nourishment needed for foliage and flowers within the bulbs themselves. But despite their initial independence, they still respond brilliantly to a little extra care.

To make the beginning gardener's plot a little easier, follow these tips:

1. Spring-flowering bulbs must be planted in the fall or early winter to permit at least three weeks for root development before the first freeze. Planting time varies with the area - the farther north, the earlier the planting.

2. Bulbs need good soil drainage. If necessary, work in sand and peat moss or compost to a depth of about

18 inches.

3. An easy method of planting a bed of large bulbs is to remove six inches of soil from the entire area to be planted, place bulbs and replace soil.

4. Water the bulbs immediately after planting to start root development.

5. Use bonemeal (never fresh manure) at planting time and add a balanced fertilizer when spring growth appears. Scatter it on the surface and water into soil.

6. Bulbs need sun in varying amounts (depending on the type of plant) to develop next year's bulb. Tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths do best in full sun. Bulbs that receive full sun will bloom first and blooming period can be prolonged by planting some in full sun others in partial shade. Shaded bulbs may tend to lean toward the sun.

7. Multi-level planting will prolong the color display in a single, bed. Small bulbs planted three inches deep can be planted directly above larger bulbs planted six inches deep.

8. Dying foliage, must not be removed since it is building food for next spring's bulbs. To hide it, plant annual flowers as a screen.

9. Bulbs can be removed, stored and replanted the following year or they can be left in the ground; it depends on the variety, type of planting and gardener preference. "Naturalized" plantings (bulbs scattered among rocks, etc.) are left to bloom for several years, until diminished bloom size indicates replacement.

10. Tulips planted in formal beds or in cutting gardens can be left in the ground, for two years. Hyacinths are always removed and stored. Remove the yellow, dry foliage before lifting the bulb from the ground: separate the stem from the bulb and store in a cool, dark, dry place. Spring flowering bulbs are almost fool-proof to grow. Even if the bulbs are planted upside down the stem will make a "U" turn and grow up.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/homesandgardens/2008/03/more_easytogrow_native_bulbs_f.html