As long as they’re planned and planted correctly, spring bulbs will provide a beautiful color show next year with a minimum of maintenance requirements. In general, the planting window for spring bulbs is from mid-September to mid-October, which gives the bulbs enough time to grow roots before the ground freezes.
Choosing a Planting Site
Warmth and bright light are necessary to trigger good growth in the spring. Ideally, the planting site will be sheltered from cold winds, and low-lying areas that tend to collect frost should be avoided. The planting site should also receive lots of direct sunlight, both to encourage spring flowering and to help the plants manufacture and store food for the following year’s growth cycle. Planted in the right spot, bulbs can be expected to return year after year.
Preparing the Soil
Bulbs do best in soil that is rich and well drained. It’s always a good idea to remove rocks and other debris. Then, organic matter can be added to the soil. Peat moss, compost and shredded leaf mulch all work well as soil amendments and should be worked in to a depth of 10" to 12". Fertilizer can also be added and should be thoroughly mixed in with the soil and organic matter. A good rule of thumb is to use a handful of fertilizer for every 10 to 12 bulbs.
Planting the Bulbs
Bulbs look best in odd-numbered groups or in mass plantings. Planting depths and spacing vary, depending on the bulbs being planted. Bulbs should be planted with the pointed end facing up, and the planting bed should be watered thoroughly once the soil fill has been added back into the planting holes.
After planting, all that’s left to do is wait for the beautiful spring blooms to arrive. Enjoy!