A Guide to Buying and Planting Bulbs
Bulbs are among the most popular types of plants with both beginning gardeners and the more experienced. While bulbs are generally very hardy and can bloom year after year with little trouble, care must be used when choosing and planting bulbs. Choosing only the healthiest bulbs, and providing them with the special care they need, can ensure that your bulbs will bloom beautifully year after year.
When shopping for bulbs, be sure to look for firm, plump bulbs that feel heavy for their size. Bulbs that are too soft should be avoided, as such softness is often a sign of rot. Very lightweight or shriveled bulbs should also be avoided. These bulbs may have lost too much moisture in transit and may not recover well enough to grow.
Large bulbs generally provide the best blooms. The largest tulip and daffodil bulbs, for instance, will usually produce larger flowers and taller stems. For those gardeners who are willing to wait, however, it is possible to purchase smaller bulbs and give them time to grow. In addition, the lower cost of the smaller bulbs often makes them a better buy.
Once you have purchased the perfect bulbs, planting them properly is important. Bulb plants require good drainage to thrive. If the soil in your area drains poorly, it is a good idea to plant them on a slope or in a raised bed to ensure proper drainage.
It is possible to prepare a whole bed for only bulbs, but it is also possible to intersperse the bulbs with other types of plants. To plant an entire bed, first remove any weeds and other vegetation. The next step is to spread one to three inches of organic material over the soil and then sprinkle a small amount of a good fertilizer. Be sure to follow the specific instructions for using the fertilizer. After the soil is properly tilled and the soil raked smooth, the bulbs can be planted.
For most bulbs, the rule of thumb is to plant the bulbs three times as deep as the width of the bulb. For instance, a one inch wide bulb would be planted three inches deep. For sandy soils or hot climates, bulbs should be planted slightly deeper, and bulbs should be planted more shallowly in areas with heavy soil. While most bulbs can be closely spaced, it is important to remember that the more closely spaced bulbs will need dividing more quickly than those which are spaced further apart.
When planting bulbs with other plants, first use a bulb planter or garden trowel to dig a hole for each bulb. Make the hole a few inches deeper than the recommended depth for planting. Place a tablespoon full of fertilizer in the hole and cover it with two inches of quality compost or soil, then set the bulb and fill the rest of the hole with soil.
After the bulbs have been planted, it is important to water them thoroughly in order to establish a good contact with the bulb and the soil, and to provide proper moisture with which to initiate good root growth.
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