How to Plant Spring Bulbs in the Garden

Stargazer lilies grow from spring-planted bulbs.

Flower bulbs are power-packed balls of growing goodness, with the material to grow new plants and flowers enclosed in their casings. All bulbs grow pernnials, so bloom year after year with the right conditions and treatment. Flower bulbs always sprout and bloom from spring to summer or fall, but require different plantings depending on the plant. Tulips, daffodils, calla lilies and the like require fall plantings while lilies, irises, anemones, crocus, snowdrops and amaranthus require spring plantings. All flower bulbs require similar planting conditions.

Things You'll Need

• Quick-draining soil
• Organic compost
• Spade/shovel

Instructions

1. Start your planting when the frost lifts and ground thaws. Test your soil by picking up a handful and squeezing it; if it falls apart easily, it's ready for planting. If it sticks together, give it another week to thaw and dry for easy digging.

2. Find a site that satisfies your bulbs' requirements in regard to light exposure. Lilies and irises require full sunlight, while snowdrops and crocus can grow in partial shade, etc. Make sure that any site gets quick, efficient drainage and has enough room for your bulbs. Although many bulbs grow in somewhat crowded condition, they will rot in standing water.

3. Dig into the top 6 to 8 inches of soil in the planting bed several days before your planting to amend it. Break up dirt clods, remove weeds and throw out any rocks, then mix 2 inches of quick-draining soil and 2 inches of organic compost into the site. This gives the bulbs good nutrition and drainage while providing loose soil for root expansion.

4. Plant bulbs at their specified depth and spacing. All bulbs should be completely submerged once you're done, with no bulbs touching each other or touching other plantings. Bulbs that touch each other might rot in the soil.

5. Water each bulb with 5 to 6 inches of water so that the soil around the bulb is wet. Growth should start within a week.

References

• Lilies.org: Planting Lilies
• Gardening-Guides.com: Let's Grow Tulips!
• University of Illinois Extension: Bulbs and More: Planting and Care

Resources

• University of Illinois Extension: Bulbs and More: Spring Flowering Bulbs