Plan For Spring Flowers Now!

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Spring flowering bulbs let you know that winter is finally over!  Beautiful flower displays can be enjoyed at your home, office or in the comfort of your own home.  In order to have those wonderful displays however, you must start planting now.  Such bulbs to choose from can be tulips, daffodils, crocus as well as many more.  023

No matter what type of fall bulb in which you wish to invest, pick the largest, top grade sizes that are available. In other words, the fatter the bulb, the better for bloom.  Sometimes these top notch bulbs are listed as #1 grade. If you are picking them out yourself, be sure that you choose bulbs that are firm and not squishy. Soft bulbs have probably already rotted internally. Also, do not choose any bulbs showing signs of mold. You want big, firm and mold free bulbs for the healthiest and most vibrant display in the spring. Small bulbs may not even reward you with a much anticipated bloom but merely foliage or a tiny insignificant bloom at best.013

Please don’t make your fall bulbs lonely. Bulbs are best enjoyed in groupings of at least five to seven bulbs per singular display. More bulbs per a given planting bed area, the more spectacular your display will be in the spring. Maximize the eye-catching effect of color with mass plantings rather than a few bulbs planted here and there. Even if you choose to plant only one variety of the same type and bulb color, you will achieve a much better satisfaction in your display if your plant in masse.

Which side is up?  Bulbs typically have some dried roots appearing at the base of the bulb. This, of course, is the “down” part of the bulb. Sometimes however the bulb just looks like a vase shape with a pointed side and more rounded flat side.  If this is the case with your bulbs, always plant the pointy side up.  If you are uncertain with side is “up”, plant your bulbs on their sides and the roots will correct your bulb position as it grows.

Typically bulbs will perform fine without much fertilization. However, the informed gardener or one that wants to make her spring flowering investment really pay dividends, will add phosphorous to the root zone of the bulbs during the planting process. All plants require phosphorous for healthy roots and flowers. Bulbs in particular grow with more vigor with the added phosphorous nutrient. Since phosphorous does not move too readily in the soil strata, placing this nutrient down around the root zone really helps the fall bulbs develop a good thick root system. An excellent source of phosphorous for planting is bone meal.

Make sure to plant your bulbs at the right depth!  In general, most bulbs should be planted anywhere from 4-8″ below the soil level.  The depth will vary depending on the type of bulb you are planting so make sure to read the label and ask your garden experts for correct planting guides.  As we stated earlier, you will want to plant your bulbs in mass.  Typically, you should space your bulbs around 4-6″ apart.  Using an electric or gas powered auger will save you a lot of time but you can find bulbs planting trowel at your local garden center.    spring front

So make an investment in yourself and your landscape this fall. In the spring, you’ll enjoy envious onlookers and a grin on your face from ear to ear. Fall truly is for planting!

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