How to Plant a Spring Bulb Pot

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Pots full of spring-blooming bulbs shout "Spring is here!" They are easy to plant and have the added benefits of being easy to care for, portable and squirrelproof.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Potting Soil
Garden Trowels
Garden Hoses
Shovels
Planting Containers
Spring-flowering Bulbs
Shredded Newspaper
Fertilizers

Step1

Fill a large pot 1/2 full of quality potting soil. The pot must have a drainage hole and be at least 12 inches in diameter. Bigger is better.

Step2

Mix a handful of superphosphate fertilizer into the soil.

Step3

Place spring-blooming bulbs directly onto the surface of the soil, pointed end up. Put as many bulbs into the pot as you can. They should be touching side by side.

Step4

Cover the bulbs with more potting soil. Leave 1 inch of space from the rim of the pot so that you can water until the winter rains begin.

Step5

Cover the surface of the soil with a layer of shredded newspaper or sawdust to insulate the soil.

Step6

Place the pot in a cool area away from direct sun.

Step7

Move the pots to display them once the buds begin to form in spring. As soon as the flowers fade, pick them off and move the pots back to the growing area.

Step8

Water and fertilize until the leaves begin to turn yellow, then withhold water until the tops are completely dry.

Step9

Dig up and store the bulbs for the summer; plant again the following fall.

Tips & Warnings

Some types of spring-blooming bulbs you can plant in pots are daffodils, tulips, hyacinth and iris.
Fast-draining soil such as a prepared cactus mix will prevent your bulbs from rotting during wet winters.
The ideal planting time for spring-blooming bulb pots is late October to mid November in mild-winter areas.
Bulb pots in cold-winter areas will need to be insulated by digging the pots into the ground and covering them with a layer of mulch. This extra step will prevent clay pots from cracking.
Large containers full of soil are heavy! Bend your knees when you lift, or have a friend help you move them.