Rooted Ramblings: It’s spring bulb planting time!

By Shannon Osorio, Portage County Master Gardener Volunteer

Have you noticed the displays of bulb packages in home stores and garden centers? We see Tulips, Daffodils, and more. Now is a perfect time to prepare your bed and plant those bulbs. It may be hard to imagine as we head deep into fall colors and harvests, but these bulbs will bring you joy when very little is growing. Here are some tips to get started:

Bulbs: So many kinds of bulbs, so many varieties! With planning you could have flower display for four months or more next spring. Be sure to choose the largest bulbs of a given species. They should be firm to the touch and without blemishes.

Light. Most bulbs do best with at least 6 hours of sun – more is better. Since they bloom before trees leaf out in spring you have a wider opportunity to find that light in your yard, even near trees.

Moisture: Most bulbs require an average amount of moisture in a well-drained site. They do not want to sit in water-soaked soil for long periods of time.

Soil: Bulbs will tolerate a wide range of soil types, but for best growth consider a spot with ample organic material. Bulbs come with the nutrients they need to bloom next spring built in, so additional fertilizer is not needed.

Timing: Now is a good time to plant, but you have time. Bulbs can be planted until the soil is too cold to work. Daffodils want to grow a good set of roots, so get them in first.

Temperature: All the hardy spring flowering bulbs need several weeks of cold temperatures to bloom. Planting outdoors before the ground freezes will take care of this.

How to plant: Follow the instructions on your packaging, but a rule of thumb is to plant the bulb 2-3 times as deep as the height of the bulb. Dig a hole large enough for the number of bulbs you have, and space as indicated, usually 8-12” apart for the larger bulbs. The flattened part of the bulb goes down and the point faces up. Fill your hole with soil and don’t forget to label! Water them if it doesn’t rain in the next day or two.

Tools: There are specific tools for planting bulbs, which are not essential, but helpful when planting many bulbs. These include a hand held bulb planter, a longer three foot version of the same tool, and a long drill auger with the width of a larger bulb. All can be helpful, but if you are just starting small, a shovel and/or a trowel will be fine.

Pests: The most noticeable problem you may find with bulbs are the critters. Tulips are deer candy. Most bulbs are a delicious treat to squirrels, chipmunks and more. Daffodils are the lucky bulb – generally not disturbed by any critters. This is a good bulb to start with if this is your first time planting bulbs. Try searching for companies that specialize in bulbs online. Several offer free catalogs. You can find many varieties of Daffodils from these specialty sellers. You can extend your flowering season for several weeks and colors range from white to yellow, orange and even pink. For more about critter resistant bulbs and strategies see: Deer-resistant bulbs to plant in fall

One final tip: Consider planting your bulbs near other perennials. This will hide the foliage of the bulbs. Remember that you do not want to cut that foliage off next spring until it dies back naturally. This is where the bulbs get their food for next year!

For more about growing bulbs, see: UMN Extension Planting Spring Bulbs: It’s Easy!

Selecting and Planting Spring-Blooming Bulbs

Planting bulbs, tubers and rhizomes

Ohio State University Extension Portage County Master Gardener Volunteer program. As OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, our articles will never endorse specific products or companies. Questions/comments/suggestions/want to find out more/become a PCMGV: 330-296-6432 •  OSU PCMGV web • portco.mgv.oh@gmail.com • FB PCMGV • PCMGV Speaker’s Bureau