Seasonal Gardening Tips

FALL GARDENING TIPS

Bulb Selection and Display:

• Choose bulbs that are firm and free of soft spots.
• Larger bulbs and corms are usually more expensive than smaller bulbs and corms because they produce the largest flowers.
• To insure bulbs bloom year after year choose long lived varieties such as Daffodils, large Darwin hybrid tulips, and ‘botanical’ tulips.
• Choose a location in full sun or in an area with at least half a day of sun.
• Select a well drained location, where water will not puddle in spring causing lack of oxygen to the bulbs. Consider Raised beds should this be a problem.
• Think about: Planting in groups vs. in rows for a more showy display. Consider mass plantings, in-lawn applications and borders of mixed perennials. Be creative and experiment with color. Try miniature varieties in rock gardens and around water gardens.
• Bulbs do well in pots, as long as they contain free-draining soil or a planting mix containing compost.

Planting Tips:

• Fall is best time to plant - bulbs like to start their roots in cool soil. (Sept-Nov)
• Depth depends on the size of bulb you are planting - General rule of thumb is to plant the bulbs twice as deep as their height. Planting depth is from the top of the bulb (pointed end up!)
• Spacing can be roughly 4” apart for smaller bulbs, 5” for larger bulbs. To create a bold splash of color, you can plant them even closer to the point of almost touching.

Soil Preparation

• Flower bulbs thrive in well-drained soil; they prefer compost mixed in with the soil.
• Dig out the area for planting deeper than needed and mix CEDAR GROVE BULB MIX (a combination of compost and bone meal) with the soil that was removed from the hole. Compost and bone meal combined works by, improving drainage, supplies nutrients for the bulbs, and enhances bulb production and blooms. Cover bulbs with remaining soil, compost mix, and mulch if desired.
• Existing bulbs can be topdressed with CEDAR GROVE BULB MIX in the fall. This may revitalize bulbs that performed poorly the previous year.
• Newly planted bulbs do not require any surface fertilizer the first year.

Maintaining Your Bulbs:

• After the bulbs have been planted, water the soil well. Bulbs need water during growing season.
• Pinch or cut off dead flowers so the plants will not waste energy for seed production. Allow the bulb’s leaves to turn yellow before removing them. Mulch bulb beds with CEDAR GROVE BULB MIX in the fall to a depth of 2-3 inches; this will help keep the soil at a more even temperature throughout the winter.

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