How to plant the easiest fall bulbs - Daffodils

Daffodils are the easiest fall bulbs to grow. They are very tolerant of the cold and will out-live any of us. While some bulbs will eventually die out, the Daffodil will increase.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• spade, trowel, bulb planter or auger
• amended soil
• fall weather
• daffodil bulbs
• compost
• blood meal
• mulch
• water

1. Site and preparation.
   Daffodils also known as Narcissus like sunny locations where the site will be well-drained and a desired blooming location for years to come. If your soil contains too much sand or clay, you will need to amended soil. Cultivate the soil with your spade to a depth of one foot and work in some compost. If you are preparing your soil several months ahead you can add your bulb fertilizer. If not, remember that bulb fertilizer may burn the bulbs if used in too large of quantities and comes into direct contact with the bulb.

2. How to plant (after the soil has cooled to 60 degrees or lower).
   A garden trowel is an excellent tool for planting but for large groups of bulbs, you may want to use a spade to dig a trench approximately. 6" in depth. There are also bulb planters and augers to attach to your hand drill that will also make planting your Daffodils bulbs an easier experience.
   Place the bulb with the tapered tip pointing "up" and flatter end "down" into the trench or hole at least 3" apart. Cover the bulb with soil and compost. Sprinkle the soil with blood meal or slow released bulb fertilizer and water thoroughly so that the bulb will develop a strong root system.

3. Mulching
   A two inch layer of mulch, such as leaves, over your bulb bed will help to retain moisture and maintain even soil temperatures.
   Now wait for spring.

Tips & Warnings

• Daffodils do not like evergreens, trees, shrubs, and ground covers.
• Two Daffodil exceptions to being tolerant of cold weather: The Daffodil Tazetta (tender cultivar) and The Paper Whites.
• Daffodils will not do well in too much shade, too much nitrogen in the soil, and poor drainage (standing water).
• Range of annual minimum temperatures: Zone 1 - Below 50 degrees F, Zone 2: -50 to -40 degrees F, Zone 3: -40 to -30 degrees F, Zone 4: -30 to -20 degrees F, Zone 5: -20 to -10 degrees F, Zone 6: -10 to 0 degrees F, Zone 7: 0 to 10 degrees F, Zone 8: 10 to 10 degrees F, Zone 9: 20 to 30 degrees F, Zone 10: 30 to 40 degrees F. If you are in Zone 8 or warmer, you must pre cool your bulbs for at least ten weeks prior to planting or good root development. If you are in a climate that is too cold for Daffodils (Zones 1 and 2), you might consider forcing Paperwhite varieties for indoor blooms.
• Daffodil bulbs need division every 3-5 years to keep blooming.
• Daffodils will replenish their bulb for about 6 weeks after blooming time if you don't cut their leaves.
• Daffodils contain poisonous crystals so squirrels and rodents will not eat them but toddlers might take a bite of the pretty flower.
• If you Daffodil becomes diseased, dig up and throw away the bulbs. This virus is incurable so do not throw them away in your compost bin.

Resources

• The victory Garden: know how - primers and projects