Plant Bulbs

Planting bulbs in the fall can help give you a thriving, colorful garden come springtime. Many beautiful flowers like daffodils, tulips and hyacinths require a long period of cool temperatures before they will flower. It’s important to plant the bulbs before the ground freezes so they have time to develop strong roots.

Visit your local True Value hardware store for the gardening tips and products you need, then follow the steps below to get a head start on your spring garden.

Step 1. Choose Bulbs
It's important to choose healthy bulbs. Avoid bulbs that are dry, withered, spongy or moldy. The best bulbs are firm and plump. As a rule of thumb, larger bulbs tend to produce more flowers.

Before picking bulbs, consider the color scheme you'd like to create. If you want a natural and varied look, choose contrasting colors in a range of heights. For a more uniform garden, choose flowers in similar shades of the same color. Check the plant height on the package and plant low-growing bulbs in front of taller ones.

Step 2. Select a Gardening Site
Since bulbs prefer full sun exposure, choosing the right gardening site is important. Bulbs also need to be planted in rich, well-draining soil. The rich soil will help feed the bulbs underground, improving the quality of your springtime bloom. Proper drainage in your garden is also extremely important because bulbs can easily rot under wet conditions.

Helpful Tip:

If you need to improve drainage in the area bulbs are planted, add compost or peat moss to your soil.

< back to top

Step 3. Prepare Soil
In the early fall, the soil should still be soft enough for digging. Planting during this season also gives the roots plenty of growing time before spring. Use a garden till or spade to loosen up the soil. Remove any weeds or unwanted vegetation from the area, using a rototiller to splice the garden. Go over the area again crosswise to cut the soil up further.

When you are ready to begin planting, use a bulb planter to dig 8" holes for larger bulbs and 5" holes for smaller bulbs. If you don't have a ruler handy, you can the plant bulbs twice as deep as they are tall. Check the bulb package to determine spacing and exact planting depth to be sure. The larger the bulbs, the more space you should allow between them.

Helpful Tip:

To make your garden extra healthy, till or spade a thick layer of compost into the soil.

Step 4. Plant Bulbs
Bulbs grow most successfully when they're planted in groups. In a small garden, plant bulbs in groupings of 6-12. In a large garden, plant them in groups of 12-24.

Be sure to plant the pointy end of the bulb up. If you can't tell which end is correct, place the bulb on its side and it will right itself. Cover bulbs lightly with soil and sprinkle bulb food on top. Watering thoroughly, keep the soil moist by adding a 2" inch layer of mulch or leaves and frequently watering the area. If you want to protect your bulbs from pests, try planting bulbs in a cage made of hardware cloth. The roots and stems grow through, but the rodents won't be able to get to the bulbs.

Step 5. Bulb Care & Maintenance
Bulbs do not require heavy feeding, but they do need an annual application of fertilizer to look their best. Remove bloom seed heads immediately after the bloom period, but let the bulb foliage die naturally. This keeps the bulbs a healthy size so they can thrive. To help prevent weed seeds from growing, consider mulching with organic matter or weed barriers.

Great job! Your gardening efforts should cultivate a beautiful garden you will enjoy next spring! Ask the experts at your local True Value hardware store for advice on all your lawn and garden needs.

For more projects, go to TrueValue.com. >

< back to top

print project | email