Hello Flower Friends!
As we settle into the warm oranges, yellows and reds of autumn, we do not want to forget about our bright corals, pinks and purples that come with spring! Now is the time to start thinking about planting your fall bulbs that will give the first hints of colour to your garden in the spring!
While most flower bulbs are quite hardy, there are a few tips to keep in mind to get the very best out of your bulbs, so you can reap the benefits in April and May.
Who to plant?
There is a large selection of bulbs that are designed to be planted in the fall, waiting to come to life in the spring. Some of our favourites are double, parrot and fancy tulips, beautiful bi-colour daffodils and mesmerizing muscari! Check out veseyseeds.com – their online shop has a huge selection of bulbs for fall planting.
When to plant?
Your bulbs will be happiest if you plant them once temperatures have cooled down. That means approximately 6 weeks before the ground freezes, or when the overnight lows are consistently between 5-10 degrees Celsius.
Where to plant?
You will want to plant most of your blubs in well-drained soil (to prevent rot) in an area that will about 6 hours of sunlight per day in the spring. That being said, there are some varieties that are more shade-tolerant, so be sure to check the bulb packaging for individual light requirements.
How to plant?
You will want to prepare your soil before you start planting. That means loosening the soil and removing any weeds. Add compost to the soil, or sand if the soil does not have great drainage. As a general rule, you will want to plant each bulb 3 times as deep as the bulb is tall. That means bigger bulbs (tulips and daffodils) will need to be planted a bit deeper than smaller bulbs (crocuses). Make sure to plant each bulb with the pointy end facing upward!
And then we wait!
It is so very exciting to see the first signs of life in your garden after a long winter. When you see green starting to peek up from the soil, give your plants a little extra love with some fertilizer; those roots will be craving some nourishment!
Happy planting, flower friends!
Smiles,
Amber