5 Tips on Planting Bulbs

By Aprille

5 Tips on Planting Bulbs

If you are new to planting bulbs, then the following list might serve you well. Here are 5 tips on planting bulbs. Make sure you know the difference between a bulb and a rhizome, since these two types of plant structures are planted in a very different manner. Tulips, calla lilies, begonias, and freesia are just a few examples of plants that grow from true bulbs.

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5

Mulch around Bulbs to Minimize the Amount the Ground Temperature Fluctuates

Straw makes for excellent mulch that will keep soil over newly planted bulbs warm. It’s more important to remember to mulch in the fall than it is during the springtime. Mulch will also keep moisture from evaporating too quickly from the soil.

4

Make Sure the Bulbs Aren’t Planted in Soil That Holds Too Much Water

Bulbs are prone to rotting when exposed to a lot of water for an extended period of time. Well-draining soil is the best for bulbs to be planted in. Add some sand, organic compost, or mix in a little bit of leaf matter to make the soil better draining.

3

Don’t Pack the Dirt Too Tightly around the Bulb

Even though bulbs are rather hardy, they can still have difficult breaking through ground that has been packed tightly. Push the dirt back into the hole gently and give the bulb plenty of opportunity to push through the dirt in the spring time.

2

The Hole Should Be 3 Times as Deep as the Bulb is Long

This means if you have a bulb that measures an inch in length, it should be planted 3 inches deep into the ground. Burying the bulb too deep can cause most plants to not bloom. Apply this rule even for the smallest bulb. You want the bulb to have enough dirt to be able to anchor itself in the ground, but no so much that its growth is squelched.

1

Water Bulbs Right after Planting

Adding plenty of water right after setting a new bulb in the ground will help the soil settle around the bulb. The water will also give the bulb the amount of moisture needed to get it started off properly. Be careful not to over water. Drenching the bulb right after watering is alright, but make sure to not over-saturate the ground each time you water.

I hope you have success in planting bulbs this spring or even in the fall, whichever season you decide to plant them in. Have you ever had any difficulties with any of the bulbs you’ve planted in the past?

Top Photo Credit: Boudicca Design

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