Now is the time to plant your spring bulbs!

We have been graced with above average temperatures so far this season, and as a Landscape Design & Build Firm, we aren’t complaining!  Not only does this warmer weather allow us more time to create and construct amazing backyard transformations for our clients, but it also extends the time frame we all have to tend to our landscape and to plant our spring bulbs for the early season bloom!  Right not is the ideal time to plant your spring bulbs, before the ground freezes.

Have you ever wondered why mid-to-late fall is the recommended time to plant your spring bulbs?  Spring flowering bulbs such as daffodils, crocuses and tulips need an adequate amount of cool temperatures to get their chemical processes jump started, which will cause them to flower in the early spring.  Planting these bulbs before the ground freezes is very important.  These bulbs need time to start their growth cycle and to establish strong roots before the temperatures dip too low.

When planting your spring bulbs, remember these little tips, and you will guarantee successful spring sprouts:

• Select quality bulbs:  Not all bulbs are created equal!  Smart planning starts with a trip to the garden center to purchase quality bulbs.  The best bulbs will be plump and firm.  Stay away from bulbs that are on the soft side or have any visible growths on them like mold.  While bigger bulbs don’t necessarily mean a bigger bloom, bigger bulbs generally have a higher bloom ratio than the smaller ones.
• Choose your planting location wisely:  These bulbs need to be planted in spots that get ample sun and where the soil drains well.  Bulbs don’t thrive in an area where water collects and sits; these bulbs need to stay moist, but not wet.  Also be sure that the location you choose has nutrient-rich soil.  If you are not sure if the soil has enough nutrients, you can always add some organic matter around the bulb to give it the nutrients it longs for.
• Planting:  As a rule of thumb, dig the hole for the bulbs 2-3 times deeper than the bulb is long.  Also, plant the bulb with the pointy side up.  Sometimes it isn’t so obvious which end is pointy, for example, crocus bulbs are more round in shape.  If this is the case, you can plant the bulb on its side, chances are the sprout will eventually find its way to the surface.  After the bulb is planted, backfill with soil, lightly pack it down and water.  There is no need to continuously water unless you live in an extremely dry area during the winter months.

Now that you have read these helpful hints, the questions is now, what planting design method should you use?  If you plant one bulb alone or plant several bulbs in a singular row, they won’t have an impressionable presence once they mature.  These bulbs will look lonely and out of place.  Plant your bulbs in clusters, this will give the greatest spring impact.  If you would like a more natural look, toss the bulbs on the ground and plant them where they land.  It is ok to plant the bulbs close to each other, it will give the effect of organic placement.

One more helpful hint to make sure your beautiful bounty takes root, protect them from nature’s pests!  It is almost like squirrels, voles and chipmunks have bulb-dar (bulb radar), they can tell where these bulbs are without hesitation, dig them up and take them home for supper!

• Cages:  That’s right, plant your bulbs in cages.  This might sound a little severe, but it is necessary!  By constructing a chicken wire cage to place your bulbs in, ensures that they will not be bulb-knapped!  The holes in the cage will allow the roots to grow and establish, the sprouts will find their way through the cage holes on the surface and the rodents will be kept at bay.
• Add a layer of gravel:  Add a layer of sharp-edged gravel below and above the bulbs when you plant them.  Rodents don’t like to work around anything pointy or sharp, so the gravel also give your bulbs a fighting chance over the fall and winter.
• Hot spices:  Liquid or powdered hot spices like chili pepper is another way to keep the nuisance critters away.  Liberally drip the liquid or sprinkle the powder over the area where the bulbs are planted and let the fiery products do their work.  You will have to be diligent to reapply the spices to keep these pests away, so make sure to set reminders for yourself to keep up.  You must be smarter and faster than the critters!

So there you have it, the when and the how to plant spring bulbs in your landscape.  If you would like more guidance with your landscape and are ready to transform your outdoor living space into the backyard you have always dreamed of, reach out to MasterPLAN.  MasterPLAN Landscape Design has the experience and vision to design your backyard with you and your family in mind, incorporating all of your wish list items in a beautiful and functional way!  Let us show you the full potential for your outdoor living space!