How to Settle Planted Perennial Bulbs

The success you experience with your perennial bulbs depends on planting them at the right depth and settling them in well. This allows the young roots to to access water and nutrients and promotes vigorous growth. By following a few simple steps, you can get your newly planted bulbs off to a good start.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spade
• Compost
• Bone meal
• Water
• Bulbs

1. Using a spade, prepare the planting area by digging a bed to the depth of 12 inches. Remove any rocks and other debris and break up clumps of soil to form a nice loose soil.

2. Dig hole for each bulb that is 6 to 8 inches deep. Layer the bottom with compost and 2 tablespoons of bone meal per bulb. Mix in well with existing soil.

3. Add two quarts of fresh water to the soil and let it dissolve into the existing soil.

4. Plant the bulb at a depth of 2 /12 to 3 times the width of the bulb. Cover the bulb with fresh soil and tamp down firmly.

5. Water thoroughly to settle the bulbs into the growing area. This will assure that the bulbs are firmly planted and their new roots will have easy access to water and nutrients. Failure to settle the bulbs in their new location can leave air pockets in the soil around the bulbs that may prevent young roots from absorbing moisture and nutrients from the soil.

Tips & Warnings

• Provide a location that meets the lighting requirements for your particular bulbs.
• Those requiring a sunny location generally need 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.
• Bear in mind that early blooming bulbs may bloom before trees are fully leafed. Take advantage of areas beneath trees that receive sunlight in early spring to extend the areas in your yard for planting bulbs.