How to Plant a Container With Spring Flowers

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Rate: (0 Ratings)

Planting spring flowers in containers is a great way to introduce color to your yard without having to deal with the hassle of a high maintenance garden. You can brighten up any area of your yard with a unique looking mixture of flowering spring bulbs. Planting in containers is also a great option for yards that don't get enough sunlight or garden areas with significant soil damage.

Flag Article

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Potting soil
Trowel
Flower pot
Wood or plastic window box
Hanging basket

Step1

Pick up some bulbs at your local garden center. Choose color combinations that match the exterior of your home, or just go for a combination of your favorite colors. Match tall flowers with shorter ones to create contrast. Choose popular spring bulbs like violets, begonias, marigolds, pansies, tulips, crocuses and day lilies.

Step2

Choose a container with plenty of holes in the bottom for adequate drainage. Increase the drainage by coating the bottom of the container with bark mulch or small rocks. Pick up some cool looking wooden barrels at home improvement stores for a rustic look, or select an affordable plastic window box if you're sticking to a budget.

Step3

Cover the bottom of your container with about an inch of potting mixture. Use a trowel to spread the soil out evenly. Hit the local garden center and pick up a "soilless" mixture for optimal drainage and retention.

Step4

Place bulbs in layers in the pot. Start with a layer of large tulip bulbs and then cover with about an inch of potting mix. Add a layer of small crocus bulbs, making sure to keep them about two inches apart in the container. Be sure to leave a couple of inches at the top of the container when you're done.

Step5

Leave container in an indoor shed or somewhere dark where the bulbs won't be damaged during the harsh winter months. If the bulbs freeze, they won't be able to get the nutrients they need to bloom in the spring. Be sure to soak the container in water before you store it for the winter.

Tips & Warnings

Plant bulbs in the soil any time after October first if you want them to bloom in the spring.
Be sure to get a deeper container if you plant flowers with deep roots.
You don't need to use fertilizer when you plant bulbs. Adding fertilizer to the soil may interfere with the bulb's own nutrition delivery system.