Tips on planting
6. Plant big bulbs about eight inches deep and small bulbs about five inches.
7. No fertilizer is necessary for the first year's bloom. Bulbs are natural storehouses of food. They don't need anything to flower the first year. For bulbs that are intended to naturalize or perennialize (return for several years) or for bulbs that are coming into their second year, spread an organic fertilizer such as compost or well-rotted cow manure, or a slow-release bulb food on top of the soil.
If you do fertilize, never mix fertilizer in the planting hole. It can burn the roots. Also don't follow the old adage of adding bone meal. Modern bone meal adds little nutritional value. It can also encourage pests and bone-seeking dogs may dig up your bulbs.
8. Plant bulbs in clusters
Don't plant one bulb alone, or make a long thin line along the walk. Clusters give a concentration of colour for greatest impact. Even if you don't have enough bulbs for a big bed, small clusters can make a super spring show.
9. Plant low bulbs in front of high
This is a good general rule for bulbs that bloom at the same time. Refer to the label for the height of the plant and its approximate flowering time. Of course, there are times to break this rule. For example, if the low-growing bulbs bloom early and the tall bulbs bloom late, plant the tall ones in front. Their display will camouflage the dying foliage of the smaller bulbs.
10. Try a double-decker effect
You can plant small bulbs in a layer right on top of large bulbs. If you plant bulbs that flower in the same period you can create an interesting double-decker effect (picture bright pink tulips blooming above cobalt blue muscari). Or you can stagger the bloom time by planting mid- and late-season bloomers together, creating a spring display that blooms in succession, for a whole season of colour.
In the end, what you do with spring bulbs is limited only by your imagination. A few hours one brisk autumn afternoon can yield months of colourful excitement in your yard or garden next spring.
Now, how do you choose which bulbs you want? Click to continue...
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