Basic Rules for Planting Spring Flower Bulbs

Planting bulbs is an easy, and inexpensive way to fill your garden with color. From tulips to lilies to irises, there are bulbs to fit any style of garden.

Get Ready For Bulb Planting

• Fall bulbs are happy bulbs. Spring bulbs will perform best is planted in the fall-after summer heat has died down, but before frost and freezing temperatures set in.
• Spread the love. For a longer blooming season, mix your garden with early, middle and late season bloomers. Tulips and other bulbs have very well defined bloom times. A bit of research and planning can keep color in your garden for many weeks.
• Keep bulbs cool. If you've purchased bulbs early, when you'll get the best selection, store them in a cool, dark place. A basement or unheated closet is good choice. Also, don't store bulbs in plastic. You'll shorten the life of your bulbs if they aren't exposed to fresh air.

Planting Bulbs the Right Way

• Bulbs don't like wet feet. Till your soil as deep as possible, amending it with peat moss or decomposed compost. Most bulbs will grow better in well-drained and aerated soil.
• Grouped, but random. Scatter bulbs randomly in groups of 6 to 18 for the best combination of color and natural appearance. Be sure to maintain the minimum spacing specified on the packaging your bulbs came in.
• Proper planting is preferred. Dig your planting hole to a depth 2 to 2-1/2 times the size of the bulb. When you place your bulb in its hole, remember: roots down, pointy side up. If you have any doubt, plant your bulb sideways-it'll work itself right side up as it grows.

When it's Time to Lift Your Bulbs

• Multiply by division. As your bulb matures, it will produce new bulbs. You can divide these new bulbs to increase your collection of blooming plants. Plan to divide your bulbs about every three years, or when you start to notice that your plants produce fewer blooms.
• Lift bulbs for their own protection. Some bulbs may need to be lifted during wet summer months. Tulips are particularly vulnerable to warm, wet weather. To lift your bulbs, wait until the leaves wither and turn brown. Carefully dig up your bulbs with a bulb planting tool and remove any loose dirt or debris. Store your bulbs in a mesh or paper bag kept in a cool, dark place.