When planting flower bulbs in the spring, it is essential that you take some basic steps in how and where you plant your tender bulbs so that they grow healthily and produce your desired visual results.
Neglected flower bulbs may wither and eventually dry up and then you will have to replace them in the next planting season. And, bulbs that are planted in the wrong place or in less than optimal soil conditions, may not produce flowers at all and will probably end up dying – causing you more expense and effort in achieving your goal for a beautiful flower bed.
It is best to read the packages of your bulbs to find the best planting times. Some can tolerate being put in the ground while the weather is still cold. Some will have needed to have been planted last fall for the best flowering results.
Knowing the best time to plant your particular bulb variety will indeed produce the best results for all of your efforts – time, money and energywise!
When planting flower bulbs in the spring, it is important to that the bulbs are healthy, as weak flower bulbs may not survive and that will affect the aesthetic value of your flower bed. Sturdy and larger flower bulbs produce a lot of flowers and enhance the beauty of your planting efforts.
A lot of stores and garden centers have bulbs already planted and growing into flowering plants. These are great if you are late planting or if you would just like to have instant color in your yard.
Location is an important aspect to consider when planting flower bulbs in the spring. Some flower bulbs prefer the shade and others thrive in sunny spots, and there are those that will be able to tolerate both sun and shade.
It’s best to read the packages of your bulb purchases to make sure you are planting in the best location for your particular bulbs.
Soil is another aspect. The soil should not hold too much water and have proper drainage as to prevent the flower bulbs from rotting – especially when there are a lot of spring showers!
It is also important to plant the bulb right-side-up. That is, the root section, that is normally the widest part of the bulb, should be on the bottom with the sprouting leafy part pointing upwards. This ensures that the flower bulb grows faster.
The average bulb should be planted 6 inches or so deep depending on the size. However, it is best to read the package of your bulbs for more accurate planting depths for your particular type of bulbs. Smaller ones can be planted in shallow holes when planting in the spring. This is so they do not take a lot of time to sprout and grow into mature plants.
Safety of the flower bulb is another consideration when planting flower bulbs in the spring. When planting, it is important to ensure that the area is free from voles, mice and other rodents that may eat the bulb and destroy the plant.
Building a protective wall around the tender bulb can help to keep the little critters from getting to them. This can be acheived by cutting the bottom out of a plastic flower pot and then surrounding the bulb with plenty soil inside so the plant can grow.
With enough protection, flowers bulbs are likely to grow and thrive – making your garden as pretty as you envisioned it without any gaping holes in the planting space.
Some tender bulbs may not survive in the wintertime at all, and they will need to be removed from the ground before cold weather hits. Planting them loosely in a mesh bag or plastic basket will make the task of digging them up much easier when the time comes.
Use fertilizers that are specifically for flower bulbs so to ensure that the roots are strong enough to support the plant. Roots forms a very integral and important part of any plant and weak roots could end up causing harm to the flower bulb and to the looks of the flower itself.
Fertilizer will also enhance the health and size of the mature flowers making them sturdy and vibrant for the most spectacular visual display of color in you garden.
By following these basic spring flower bulb planting tips you should be able to create colorful and visually pleasing spaces in your yard for spring and then, for most all of the year around if you choose, as there are flowers bulbs available in most areas that will bloom at other times of the year.
