10 tips for planting spring-blooming bulbs

Planting flower bulbs is fast, easy, and nearly foolproof. Here's a primer from the Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center in New York City to help you plant flower bulbs like an expert.

1. When the bulbs arrive
Spring-blooming bulbs should be planted in the fall, as soon as the ground is cool. In most parts of the country, this is around the time of the first frosts, when evening temperatures average between 5 and 10 C. But you must plant at least six weeks before the ground freezes. You can, if necessary, store bulbs for a month or longer, if you keep them in a cool, dry place. When in doubt, however, the bulbs belong in the ground. They won't last till next season.

2. Read the label
Whether arriving in the mail or from the local garden centre, bulbs usually come with instructions. Read them. Without labels, you can't tell the red tulips from the white ones just by looking at the bulbs so keep the labels with the bulbs until planting.

3. Where to plant
You can plant bulbs just about anywhere in your garden -- so long as the soil drains well. The Dutch say, "bulbs don't like wet feet." So avoid areas where water collects, such as the bottom of hills. Bulbs also like sun.

4. Prepare the planting bed
Dig the soil so it's loose and workable. If it's not an established garden bed, chances are the soil could use some organic matter such as compost or peat moss. These are available at most local garden retailers.

5. Plant the pointy end up
It's easy to spot the pointy end of a tulip; it's tougher with a crocus. But in most cases, even if you don't get it right, the bulb flower will still find its way topside.

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