Home Grown Notions: Planting Bulbs for Spring Blooms

by Beth Cook, Mammoth Cave Transplants
As the year comes to an end, and we have tidied up our garden and have got them settled in for the winter, most anxious gardeners begin to think about Spring planting. You can get a jumpstart on some color in your garden is to plant bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths for Spring blooming.  

Most spring flowering bulbs need several weeks of near-freezing or below-freezing temperatures in order to bloom. Although it's more pleasant to garden during warm fall days, planting fall bulbs too soon may trick the bulbs into sprouting in the fall rather than waiting for springtime.Store them in a cool, dark place such as a garage, shed or basement until you're ready to plant them. You can also put them in your refrigerator to chill for several days before planting. The best time to plant fall bulbs is when temperatures have started to cool down. Start planting bulbs when overnight lows have dropped into the 40s and 50s for about two weeks. Make sure you finish planting before the ground gets too cold--that will make it difficult to work with.
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When purchasing bulbs, you'll want to find the healthiest ones. Make sure they are firm and not squishy. Watch out for mold or mildew and avoid those. Pick out larger bulbs, as they tend to produce more blooms. Whether you are planting them in the ground or a pot, lay out your bulbs on top of the soil where you want to plant them. Afterwards, poke a twig into the soil to mark where you’ve already planted. As a general rule of thumb, the planting depth should be 3 times the height of the bulb. Plant the bulb pointed side up. Cover with soil, and you can cover with mulch or leaves as well.. It won’t be long, and magic will pop up in Spring!!!  

"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides." ~W.E. Johns, The Passing Show