Fall Planting Spring Bulbs
Everything you need to know about bulbs!
This guide is tell help you learn how to prepare to fall planting of your spring bulbs.
When to Plant
Plant spring bulbs in October, after the soil temperature fall below 55 degrees. Until then, store bulbs in a cool and dry place with air movement to avoid mold or mildew.
Soil Preparation
Before planting, loosen the soil by adding Cotton Burr Compost into the area at a rate of two parts soil to one part Cotton Burr.
Planting
Plant a bulb three times as deep as it is tall. Dig a dinner plate size hole, adding a generous portion of bulb food or bone meal to each planting hole and place 10-20 bulbs in “pointy side up.” Small bulbs can simply be scattered.
Planting Distance
Large flower bulbs will need more room than the small ones. Space large bulbs about a hands width apart. Small bulbs can be separated by about 2 to 3 fingers.
Fertilizing
Apply bulb food or bone meal while planting to support root growth, again in spring at first sprout and repeat immediately after flowering.
Watering
After planting, water the bulbs to encourage rooting. The sooner the roots develop, the faster the bulb can tolerate cold and frost.
Maintenance
Fertilize regularly, leaving foliage to mature. This strengthens the bulb for next year’s flowers. Remove dead or yellowing foliage to prevent disease.
Spring – Flowering Bulbs
Each plant has its own flowering period. By paying attention to these periods when you buy your bulbs, you can enjoy flowering month after month. The flowering periods are classified as: early-February to March, mid-season-March, mid-season-March to April, and late-season-April to May.
Which spot?
No matter what the size of your garden, there is always a spot to plant some bulbs. What about in a border with perennials? Usually this border won’t be in bloom until mid-May, so early spring bulbs like Corcuses and spring-flowering anemones would be perfect here. Among the taller perennials, there’s room for Tulips, Camassia and Allium.
Bulbs that tolerate a little more shade such as Scilla and certain kinds of Daffodils will provide a colorful accent among deciduous and evergreen shrubs. And who wouldn’t want a carpet of pink, white and blue Hyacinths under their tall trees?
Planting in Layers
You can plant flower bulbs in layers one on top of another in both your garden or in pots and containers. The lowest layer will consist of bulb that flower later in the season such as tulips. Bulbs that bloom earlier such as crocuses or irises are planted above them.
| SPACING | BULB PER SQ FT |
| 2″ | 36.00 |
| 3″ | 16.0 |
| 4″ | 9.00 |
| 5″ | 6.00 |
| 6″ | 4.00 |
| 8″ | 2.25 |
| 10″ | 1.50 |
