How to Start Planting Iris Bulbs
There's nothing like a spring garden filled with irises. Many of them have scents, and they come in a variety of subtle, bright and mixed colors. The varieties of iris all fall under the family group Iridaceae. You can plant Dutch iris bulbs in your home garden. Prepare the soil to make sure you have good drainage. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Dutch iris bulbs
- Soil
- Soil amendments (if necessary)
- Bone meal
- Low-nitrogen fertilizer
- Gardening tools
- Water
Instructions
-
-
1
Determine where you are going to plant your irises. The ideal location is where they can grow for years to come. Some people like large beds, while others will tuck a few Dutch bulbs here and there. Choose a sunny spot, and locate the precise space to prepare the soil.
-
2
Turn the soil with a shovel, spade, pitchfork or, if it's a large area, a tiller. Remove all weeds and invasive grass. Dig down about 1 foot so you loosen the soil well. Chop up any clumps with your garden tools. You want to work with loose soil.
-
-
3
Add compost or small bark chips, especially if your soil has clay content. Avoid manure. Mix it all up. Add the bone meal and fertilizer according to the box directions, and spread throughout. The soil needs to be light and loose, and it needs to drain easily. Once the soil is ready, rake it into a somewhat organized bed or section. Water lightly and let the bed rest for about a week or two. If you see weeds or grass trying to grow, pull them out.
-
4
Plant your Dutch iris bulbs about 3 to 6 inches apart, at a depth of about 4 inches. Plant the pointed part of the bulb facing up. Fill in the hole and tamp the soil down.
-
5
Water the irises in well. Don't let the roots dry out, but don't overwater either. The soil should drain somewhat rapidly, without puddling. Within a week or two, you will begin to see the earliest signs of leaves appearing. Allow the plants to grow, and feed with nutrients periodically during the year.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
A good time to plant bulbs is in the autumn, so they can winter over and be ready for spring.
Learn the differences between bulbs and rhizomes (where you'll find the majority of irises).
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
