How to Purchase, Plant and Grow Bulbs in your Garden

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Gardening tools
Variety of bulbs
Bulb planter
Slow release bulb fertilizer

Step 1

Irises bloom in late spring

First, understand that many bulbs are a form of perennial which means they will return year after year. Bulbs also have plants that are sort of cousins which include those which grow from corms, tubers and rhizomes. What they all have in common is an underground root system that allows for a dormant season. In essence, bulbs are a large bud which gets shoots for the plant that grows out of the top while the roots grow from the bottom. They often have a papery covering called a tunic. Corms are bulb-like as well and include plants such as gladiolus & crocuses. Tubers are a more elongated shape and the plants grow from the ends of the tuber. Dahlias are in the tuber family. Finally, rhizomes sometimes grow underground like bulbs but they can also grow just under the surface of the soil. Some Irises are an example of a rhizome while others are tubers. Regardless of which type, their planting and care are the same.
Step 2

Next, not all bulbs are outdoor bulbs. Some are delicate and are intended for growing indoors in containers in your home or in a greenhouse. These sensitive types of bulbs are great container plants and can usually be brought outdoors in the summer months onto a patio or deck. Just how cold tolerant they are depends on the zone in which you live. If you are unsure about the cold tolerance in your area for some bulbs plant them deep and protect them with a thick layer of mulching material.
Step 3

Some Begonias are tuberous

Choose bulbs to plant in the fall for spring flowers. If you are looking for summer blooming flowers choose bulbs that are to best planted in the early spring. Bulbs are packaged in different ways. They are often sold in perforated plastic bags or sometimes in netted bags that include some pictures of the blooming flower along with some planting instructions. When it is planting season for bulbs you will find them in large quantities at garden centers or nurseries. Another option is to mail order them through a catalog if you wish.
Step 4

Consider where you will be planting them before buying your bulbs. Is the location sheltered or is it fully exposed to the winter elements? Will you use them in a formal bed or in a border or will you naturalize them into the lawn? If you choose to naturalize them in your yard be prepared that you cannot mow the grass until the foliage dies down so this area will develop an un-kept look.
Step 5

Think of your bulbs in a color scheme just as you would when decorating your home. Do you want a big splash of color all at once or some sort of gradual color infusion? Colors that compliment or contrast? Do you favor pastels or bright aggressive colors? Plan this out before you go out bulb shopping. For a more subtle look use a mixed variety. For a strong statement, plant them in large blocks of color.
Step 6

Garden in full bloom

Also consider how long you want them to bloom. For example, say you are planting tulips. Some of them will bloom for several weeks and some varieties will bloom early while others will bloom later. If you want continuous color and a longer blooming period plant some that will bloom early, maybe in March, then add some that bloom in mid-spring (April) and some that are late spring (late April / early May). This bloom period should be estimated on the package when you buy them but remember it may be affected slightly by your exact climate.
Step 7

Purchase your bulbs early - as soon as you start seeing them in the garden centers. Bulbs can deteriorate and can become damaged by a lot of handling (ie other customers picking through them) or if they are not kept in a cool location so it's best that you purchase them early. Inspect them as much as you can through the packaging. Do not purchase bulbs that seem soft or mushy or that look bruised or moldy. They should be round and firm to the touch. They also should not be sprouting! That would not be a good sign and they will do poorly. Sometimes stores may keep their inventory until it is sold out. These leftover bulbs will not be the freshest and have probably been stored too long. Bulbs can become stressed if they are not stored properly.
Step 8

Plant your bulbs as soon as time allows. If you cannot plant them immediately after you purchase them then you should store them in a cool environment such as a basement. If you do not have a basement you can also keep them in your refrigerator crisper drawer. Do not let them dry out and if they are in a non-ventilated plastic bag take them out and store them in something else, like a paper bag.
Step 9

Summer blooming Crocosmia 'Lucifer'

Moving on to the planting site... In general, when planting outdoors, bulbs should be planted out in the open where they will receive at least ½ day of sun. Bulbs typically need well-drained soil so they will not rot therefore raised beds are good places to plant them. If you choose to plant them under a tree make sure it is a deciduous tree that looses its leaves in the winter. This way the bulbs will get adequate sunlight throughout the winter months.
Step 10

An Amaryllis makes a great container plant

Planting bulbs in containers is a beautiful way to enjoy them indoors throughout the winter months. Select a pot that is at least twice as tall as the bulbs. Always line the bottom of your containers with small rocks or gravel and make sure there is a drainage hole. Fill the pot ½ way full with a good indoor soil-less compost (you can find specialty mixes at most garden centers). Place the bulbs in the pot with the top facing upward at the same depth as what you would if planting them outdoors. Cover the bulbs with more of the compost mixture and water gently but thoroughly. Place the container in a dark, cold place (an unheated garage in the winter is a great place), but place a box or something over the pot so that it is entirely in the dark for 8-12 weeks. When shoots appear out of the top of the compost, move the pot to a bright, but still cool location (around 50 degrees). As soon as buds sprout relocate the pot to its final location - where you wish to enjoy it as it blooms.
Step 11

Bulbs planted in large groups have more impact

Make your bulbs have a more natural appearance by planting them in groups in your garden. Do not plant them in rows or lines. That is just unnatural looking. Different bulbs will require different planting depths - follow the instructions on the package for your zone. Over time, bulbs multiply so larger bulbs are usually spaced further apart at planting. Make sure that you plant the bulbs right side up. This is usually the more pointy side. Some types of lilies are planted on their sides. Refer to the planting instructions on your packaging.
Step 12

Bulb planter

There is a garden tool known as a bulb planter that is the best way to dig holes for your bulbs. It is round, about 6 inches tall and has a handle going across the top. The bottom will be metal and will be serrated or jagged. To use it just set it on top of the spot and twist & push down into the ground to the desired depth. Pull it straight back up out of the ground and you will have a perfect hole to put your bulb in. It works similar to a corkscrew. Sprinkle a about a teaspoon of bulb fertilizer into the bottom of the hole, set your bulb in and then set your bulb planter back into the hole & push the soil back into the hole to cover your bulb. It is not necessary to water bulbs at planting as they are dormant.
Step 13

Crocosmia & Gladiolus are summer bloomers

Plant your summer blooming bulbs such as gladiolus, in the spring. You can stagger and prolong their bloom time by planting them a week or two apart over several weeks. If you do this, then the first ones planted will sprout first and come up and bloom, followed by the next batch planted. Just use something to mark the locations that you already planted so you don't disturb them. You will know when it's time to plant them when they appear for sale at your local garden center.
Step 14

Finally, bulb plants feed off of their foliage (leaves) and store the nutrition for their next season. You must be patient and let them die back naturally before removing the foliage. This can be hard to ignore but you must resist the urge to cut them off too soon. You can cut off the spent flower stems though. If they are in a location that has other plants and are unsightly you can fold them over into a little bundle and put large rubber bands around them to tidy them up a bit until they're ready to be sheared off. This process could easily take a couple of months.
Step 15

Note that most bulbs do not need to be lifted every season, although it is recommended that they should be lifted after the bloom period every 3-5 years. Then replant them before the next season. Remove them carefully from the ground, being careful not to damage them, brush off the dirt and store them in nets or old stockings so that they can get some air. It's best if they do not touch each other during storage. They can be kept separated with newspaper.

Comments

missnye said

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on 11/23/2009 What a great article. I grow oriental lillies. This is a great resource.*****

eac913 said

on 10/8/2009 Oh how I love tulips and daffodils and crocus...this is a very thoughtful article full of terrific information about bulb purchasing, planting and growing. 5*