| Want a successful garden? Try planting bulbs into | | | | Both winter and spring bulbs require a dormant period |
| your landscape. Flowering bulbs are not only easy to | | | | in cool temperatures in order to stimulate their |
| grow and popular among garden plants, but they can | | | | growth and development. These types of bulbs |
| fit into nearly any type of gardening style. And with | | | | include crocuses, cyclamens, tulips, daffodils, |
| proper care, bulbs will continue to bloom year after | | | | snowdrops, and hyacinths. Generally, these bulbs are |
| year. Flowering bulbs make lovely additions to any | | | | hardy enough to be left in the ground throughout the |
| garden, especially when planted in groups or mixed | | | | year; however, your summer and fall bulbs may |
| borders. | | | | require lifting. |
| Bulbs are widely available at most garden centers; | | | | Gladiolus, begonias, dahlias, and autumn crocuses fall |
| however, most of the more spectacular ones need | | | | into the summer bulb category. These bulbs are |
| to be purchased through mail-order catalogs or | | | | usually considered to be quite tender and cannot |
| nurseries that specialize in these types of plants. | | | | survive in excessively cold environments. Spring is |
| Actually, ordering your bulbs through catalogs or | | | | normally the best time to plant these bulbs. After the |
| obtaining them from nurseries can provide many | | | | first initial frost, they should be dug up and kept in a |
| benefits. Since bulbs are dormant, shipping them is | | | | dry, frost-free area. |
| easy and done so according to their appropriate | | | | Regardless of the type, bulbs prefer and thrive in |
| planting times. This means all you have to do is simply | | | | light, well-drained soil. To improve the quality of your |
| stick them in the ground. There's no worrying with | | | | soil, you can easily work in some sand and compost. |
| keeping particular bulbs stored elsewhere until needed. | | | | Make sure the site you choose for planting does not |
| The quality of your bulbs from a mail order company | | | | stand in water at any time as this will ultimately |
| is normally better, too. They are healthier and picked | | | | cause your bulbs to rot. Larger bulbs are planted |
| for you by experts; whereas, picking them yourself | | | | about 8 inches deep; while the smaller ones can be |
| may not always be easy, unless you know what to | | | | placed about 5 inches in the ground. However, the |
| look for. | | | | lighter the soil, the deeper the bulb can be placed. |
| When selecting bulbs yourself, try choosing only | | | | Always place the bulb with its point facing upward. |
| those that are firm. You don't want any soft, | | | | Water generously after planting, but take care not to |
| withered, or blemished bulbs as these will not | | | | drench the bulbs. Cover with a layer of mulch. |
| produce a healthy plant. | | | | Flowering bulbs make great companions for woody |
| Always consider your landscape prior to planting or | | | | plants, providing the landscape with an array of sizes, |
| choosing bulbs. Observe your surroundings, taking | | | | shapes, and colors. As spring bulbs die out, you can |
| notes as to the types of plants already growing | | | | add various annuals and late-blooming bulbs, like lilies, |
| within the landscape. | | | | to keep these areas of the garden looking their best. |
| Choose bulbs which will thrive in your particular area | | | | Adding an assortment of perennials into the bulb |
| and climate. Check reference books, labels, and | | | | garden will provide a nonstop procession of flowers |
| packaging for the bulb's hardiness requirements. | | | | and foliage. |
| Consider the color, bloom time, height, and | | | | If you want to try a naturalized effect with your |
| compatibility of the plants you want to grow. You | | | | bulbs, take them by the handful and gently toss |
| want to select bulbs that will offer significant | | | | them out into the yard or garden. Plant the bulbs |
| blooming throughout the seasons with plenty of | | | | wherever they land. |
| ongoing color year-round. | | | | If you want to test out different plant combinations |
| Mix them up with a variety of annuals and perennials | | | | before incorporating them into the garden or you |
| as well as interesting foliage plants such as hostas | | | | simply don't have a lot of space for one, you can |
| and ferns. | | | | grow your bulbs in a container. A variety of bulbs can |
| Proper planting of bulbs will keep the garden full of | | | | thrive in containers, and when mixed with annuals, |
| blooms through the seasons and ensure healthy, | | | | you will have a beautiful miniature garden. Choose a |
| vigorous growth for years to come. Place your bulbs | | | | container that has sufficient drainage and line it with |
| in the ground as soon as possible; otherwise, keep | | | | pebbles. Add some potting soil and a few bulbs and |
| them stored in a cool, dry area. Bulbs are normally | | | | annuals. Keep the container moist but not too wet. |
| planted well before the ground freezes in the fall or | | | | If you follow these tips, pretty soon you will have a |
| after the planting of perennials, annuals, and other | | | | bulb-o-licious garden. |
| plants in the spring. | | | | |