Planting Bulbs
Adore daffodils? Love tulips? As with most groups of plants, bulbs come with their own set of special considerations. Bulbs are not for the impulsive gardener and they won’t supply instant gratification. Some bulbs are perennials and will multiply while others will bloom only one, maybe two years. Investigate details about specific bulbs by asking your local gardening shop or reading about them. However, the guidelines for planting bulbs are the same.
To plant many bulbs together in a garden bed, dig a hole that is three to four times as deep as the bulbs are tall and wide enough to accomodate them with several inches between each bulb. If you want to plant bulbs one at a time, use a bulb planter, as shown in the photo. Most bulb planters show inch depth on the side.
Place bulbs, root side down, in hole. Leave space in between, as indicated on bulb package. For a natural look, toss bulbs into hole and then position them where they land. Apply “bulb booster” if desired and cover with soil.
Pest Control
We like bulbs for their beautiful flowers while many rodents and deer find them tasty. To keep moles away, line bulb bed with crushed oyster shells. The sharp shells scratch their noses when they burrow towards the bulbs. You can even bury a chicken wire cage and plant the bulbs inside to keep out intruders. If pests still devour your bulbs, try daffodils. Most rodents don’t care for their flavor.
Forcing Bulbs
Don’t forget that you can enjoy the beauty of bulbs indoors. Forcing bulbs is especially popular as our weather becomes colder.
