How to Plant Bulbs
Flowering bulbs are a beautiful addition to any garden and are relatively easy to take care of. Here are the steps to plant flowering bulbs in your garden.
Tools
Bulbs
Trowel
Bone meal
Water
Procedure
Choose healthy bulbs. When picking out bulbs, make sure that they are not moldy, spongy, soft or withered. Bigger bulbs usually generate more flowers.
Pick a spot. Different varieties of flowering bulbs require different environments and temperatures. Spring bulbs can grow well even in the shade and cooler temperatures. Summer bulbs require full sunlight. Generally, flowering bulbs prefer full sunshine. Make sure that the soil is well-drained to prevent the bulbs from rotting.
Plant the bulbs in mid-November, or at least when the soil is soft enough to dig in.
Plan how you will plant the bulbs. Typically, you plant the same variety in one group or a mixed one for a more dramatic effect. Always plant in clusters. Each bulb should also be planted at least two bulb-widths apart. For a really natural look, throw the bulbs in the air and plant them on the spot they fell on.
Each hole you dig should be two to three times deeper than the width of the bulb itself. Plant the bulb with the pointed side up. The roots or the flat side of the bulb should be planted against the ground.
Mix water soluble fertilizeror bone meal at the bottom of each bulb plot to encourage strong root growth.
Replace the soil after planting the bulb by breaking apart bigger lumps of soil your hands. Pat the soil tightly but gently around and over the bulb. Remember, no air bubbles should be trapped in with the bulb.
To prevent rodents and voles from getting to the bulbs, you can sprinkle red pepper in the hole before planting the bulb in. You can also lay down some chicken wire to prevent the bulbs from getting dug out. Making a cage made from hardware cloth can also prevent rodents from getting in but at the same time allowing bulb stems and roots to grow.
Don’t overwater your bulbs. Overwatering can cause the bulbs to rot. Spring and summer bulbs should only be watered once you see the buds peeking out from the ground. Starting from one inch per week since budding, add an inch every week.
Mark the spot where you planted your bulbs to avoid accidentally planting something else on the same spot.