by Brian Simkins
If you have recently moved into a new home, then you may be surprised this spring to find that the previous owner had bulbs planted around the house or in the garden. Knowing how to properly care for these bulbs will ensure that you can enjoy them for years to come. Maybe you’ve owned your home for a long time and are just looking for a way to make some additions to your flower garden or to the small beds around your home. The addition of some perennial bulbs can be a great way to spruce up the spring and summer appearance of your home as well. No matter if the bulbs are already there or if you are considering planting some for the first time, keep in mind that the proper care and maintenance of bulbs is what guarantees your enjoyment of them year after year.
Things you should DO
1. You should be selective. When you are buying new bulbs, make sure you buy bulbs that are fairly large when compared to the others available for that species. Typically, the larger the bulb, the larger the blooms the plant will produce. Feel each bulb and make sure that it is firm. Any soft spots are an indication that rot may be setting in, and the bulb is useless.
2. You should do some research before you plant the bulbs about the proper spacing and depth for the particular species that you have selected. If you do not plant them properly then the plants may bloom too early, too late or not at all. The freeze and thaw may push them out of the ground, or they may just rot sitting in a puddle. Make sure that you read the directions that come with the bulbs. You may want to do some additional research on climate specific information if you live in an extreme location.
3. Once your bulbs have bloomed, you can increase the length of time that they will continue to do so by breaking of any blossoms that have already expired. The plant will be able to focus its best energy and nutrients on growing new blossoms instead of trying to sustain failing ones. This process is called “dead-heading” and you simply break of any expired blossoms by pinching them off the stem.
4. After a few seasons, you will find that your bulbs have begun to multiply. You do want to make sure that you thin these out or transplant some of the bulbs to maintain the proper spacing.
Things you should NOT DO
1. One of the greatest temptations when planting new bulbs is to over fertilize. While it is okay to use a little bit of fertilizer to get the bulbs jump started, don’t over do it or else you will burn the bulbs right in their husks. They are sensitive. It’s better to use some organic type of food like compost or manure.
2. Even though we talked above about the fact that you should break off any dead blooms to keep the flower going to strong, you should not break off any foliage that appears to be dying. Yellowing of the plant’s foliage is a natural process that must take place. The plant is actually using that dying foliage for food, and if you cut it away, then you are depriving the plant of restorative nutrients. These yellowed leaves can detract from the look of your flower garden, so make sure that you plant some annuals around them that will bloom at the right time to cover this dying foliage.
3. If you dig up bulbs and decide to store them, or if you buy new bulbs and can’t get them into the ground immediately, don’t keep them sitting out. Make sure that you keep them in a dark, dry, and cool place. If they are exposed to moisture and heat then they will soon begin to rot.
4. You don’t want to plant bulbs in just any location. Some require a good deal more sunlight than others do. If you plant bulbs in to much shade, too much sunlight or in the wrong kind of soil, then you won’t see positive results. Additionally, you don’t want to plant your bulbs in an area that tends to pool or collect water. Bulbs need water just like any other plant, but if they are swamped then they will begin to rot. Make sure that you don’t over water. If it is raining regularly, then you shouldn’t need to water them at all.
Planting and maintaining flower bulbs is a great way to improve your garden. You can develop a seasonal consistency and can have a great deal of fun from year to year, as you select annuals to complement the bulbs that are a fixture in your landscape. Planting and maintaining bulbs is an investment that requires patience and vision, but it can be rewarding for years to come.
.
Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be submitted to our
"