Fall Flower Planting Tips:
- General Planting:
- Tulips: 4-6" deep, 4-6" apart
- Hyacinths: 6" deep, 6" apart
- Daffodils: 6" deep, 6" apart
- Small Bulbs (crocus, muscari, etc.): 4" deep, 4" apart
- It's a good idea to use a phosphorus fertilizer at the time of planting (examples: bone meal, super phosphate) They are very common and easily found at garden centers and home stores with garden departments. Spreading an all purpose fertilizer on top of the soil in February before any foliage starts to grow will also help for a strong start to blooming.
- Flowers will have a nice effect if planted in groups or odd numbers.
- If you want all season color, try planting groups of bulbs with different blooming times (early, mid, and late spring). Height differences will also add striking contrast.
- Plant in areas of sun to part shade.
- Bearded Iris: Plant so that the crown (top of the rhizome) is just below the soil surface, or right at surface level. Plant about 12-18 inches apart; they will spread in years to follow. They like sunny locations but will also do well in areas of partial shade. Fertilize once when planting and once more in the spring.
- Amaryllis: Soak roots in water overnight before planting. (This will help soften the roots making it less likely to break them off when planting.) Plant carefully, trying not to break off the roots. Leave the top few inches of the bulb exposed out of the soil. Keep moderately moist, but do not drown in water. It is always a good idea to have pots with drainage holes in the bottom.
Spring/Summer Planting Tips:
- General Planting:
- Bare Root Perennials and Tubers: Plant so that the crown is just below the soil surface.
- Bulbs (Lilies, gladiolus, etc.) 4-6" deep, 6" apart depending on bulb size.
- Small Bulbs (anemonies, freesias, etc.) 4" deep
- Most spring/summer bulbs and perennials can be starting in pots inside before the last frost danger is over. After the danger of frost is over, they can be transferred outdoors.
- When planting bulbs such as ranunculus and anemonies, soak in water for 12 hours before planting.
- Elephant Ear bulbs: plant bulb 2/3 deep leaving the top 1/3 exposed out of the soil. Start in large pots indoors before the outside planting date. They like warm temperatures, so keep in a sunny area in the home. Once you transfer the bulbs outside, put in shade. It usually takes about 4-6 weeks for growth to begin to show.
