Faint At Heart

Bulbs are among the most popular, and the most durable of all plants in the garden. The fact that bulbs can spring back to life season after season with only a single planting makes them the perfect choice for many gardeners, and the fact that some of our most beloved and most beautiful flowers are in fact bulbs only adds to their charm. From tulips and daffodils to crocuses and hyacinths, bulb plants can provide season after season but only if they are planted and cared for properly.

Let’s start our look at planting and caring for bulbs with a list of the Do’s. To ensure that your bulb garden springs back to life season after season with a minimum of care and trouble, do:

1. Choose a flower bed with good drainage. Bulbs are prone to bulb rot, and the prime suspect in most cases is a soil that is waterlogged and too moist. It is vital to plant bulbs in a well drained flower bed. If the soil does not drain well, a raised flower bed should be used to ensure proper drainage.

2. When cutting flowers from bulb plants, be careful to cut as little foliage as possible. The bulbs need the foliage in order to store sufficient food for the next season’s blooming.

3. Allow the foliage to die back on its own before beginning to trim the plant back at the end of the blooming season. The foliage should also be allowed to die back completely before any bulbs are dug up for off season storage.

4. If the bulbs are to be stored until the next planting season, be sure that they are stored properly. Bulbs should be stored in a dry area with plenty of ventilation.

Just as important as what to do with bulbs is what not to do. Avoiding common mistakes is a great way to ensure success with growing bulbs. Among the things bulb gardeners should avoid are the following:

1. Do not over fertilize bulb plants. Avoid the use of strong commercial fertilizers and fresh manure when planting a bulb garden.

2. Never trim back healthy green foliage. Trimming back healthy foliage will prevent the plant from doing well in the next growing season. The foliage is needed to store food and energy.

3. Never place bulbs in the sun to dry. Bulbs should be placed in the shade and kept in a well ventilated area.

4. Bulbs should never be stored in an airtight container.