We all look forward to the first signs of spring when we start to see the green grass, the sun stays out a little longer, and Daffodils begins to pop up everywhere.
Seeing colorful flowers in the garden always gets me excited, especially when I see my Tulips starting to emerge. Even though Tulips bloom in spring, their planting season is Fall and in order to get beautiful, bright blooms there are a few things you need to do to ensure quality flowers in the warmer months.
Buy quality bulbs - Make sure you buy bulbs that are of good quality. Look for larger bulbs that are firm and free of mold. **Since not all tulips bloom at the same time (some bloom in early Spring while others bloom in late Spring), be sure to make note of when your tulips bloom, especially if you’re wanting all of them to bloom at the same time.
Plant your bulbs in a location where it will get at least 6 hours of sun a day and where the soil drains nicely.
The best time to plant your Spring bulbs is in the Fall. I find October to be the best month because the weather has cooled yet the soil is not frozen so it’s easier to work the soil. **If you want Summer bulbs, wait until Spring to plant.
Plant the bulbs with the pointy side facing up and make sure to plant each bulb about twice as deep as its height. For example, if the bulb is two inches high, plant it 4 inches deep.
Use good quality soil. Once the bulb is planted, layer some mulch on top to protect it from the cold winter months.
Once all bulbs have been planted, give the area a good watering and then wait until you see them emerge in Spring to resume watering.
Enjoy your beautiful blooms!
Common bulbs that bloom in Spring: Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinth, Crocus
Common bulbs that bloom in Summer: Dahlias, Calla Lilies, Gladiolus, Canna Lilies