Garden centers have a full and impressive selection of bulbs for next years landscaping needs. As fresh as the bulbs are this is a great time to select new varieties of start a bulb garden.
A bulb garden or addition of bulbs to your backyard will make a easy backyard project that will take little space and be affordable.
Tips for planting bulbs in the fall
One mistake many new gardeners make with planting bulbs is finding the right time to plant them. This has been a mistake I made for many years.
Always wait and plant the bulbs after the first frost. You can prepare the soil and garden beds before so that you are ready to plant the bulbs in a few hours.
A bulb planter will also help you to get the correct depth for the bulb. Most large bulbs are planted around eight inches deep and six inches apart. Smaller bulbs are placed around five inches deep and three inches apart. Read the directions on the package for how deep and far apart to plant your bulb variety.
If bulbs are bought individually, there is usually a guide in the store for planting. Make note of the planting directions. I usually take a note pad with me when buying new plants to write down any additional information form the store or employees.
Bulbs do not need fertilizer, but a bulb releasing food is good. Avoid using bone meal because it attracts some animals.
Place the bulb with the tip up and replace the soil. If you are not sure which end the tip is, plant the bulb on its side. The side of the bulb is always easy to tell and the plant will grow correctly. (If you plant the bulb upside down it will struggle to grow.)
Pat the soil in place and water thoroughly. You may want to mulch the area to help retain water.
Note: if you live in an area where animals may bother your plants you may want to plant the bulbs in a metal net container, in a pail with no bottom or place chicken mesh over the soil to protect the bulbs.
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