Bulbs are a gardener’s delight, offering a burst of color and beauty with minimal effort. Whether you’re planting small bulbs like crocuses or large bulbs like tulips, following a few simple steps can ensure a successful display year after year. Here are some tips for planting bulbs and maximizing their potential:
Choosing the Right Location:
Selecting the right location for your bulbs is essential for their growth and development. Consider planting them along lawn fringes to create a natural, meadow-like effect. Avoid mowing these areas immediately after flowering to allow the bulbs to replenish their energy reserves for the next season.
Planting Technique:
When planting flowering bulbs, opt for a more informal approach by tossing them onto the ground and planting each bulb where it lands. This method creates a more naturalistic look and allows bulbs to settle into the soil at varying depths, mimicking their growth patterns in the wild.
Timing and Maintenance:
To ensure optimal flowering and multiplication, avoid mowing too soon after bulbs have finished flowering. Wait at least six weeks or until the foliage turns brown, indicating that the bulbs have absorbed sufficient nutrients for the next season’s growth. This period allows bulbs to store energy in preparation for their next cycle of growth.
Planting Small Bulbs:
For small bulbs like crocuses or snowdrops, use a spade to cut an H-shaped pattern into the grass. Carefully undercut the sods and fold back the flaps to expose the soil underneath. Loosen the soil, add slow-release fertilizer and bone meal, and plant bulbs 2.5cm apart with the growth points facing upward. Press the flaps down firmly to ensure good soil contact and water well.
Planting Large Bulbs:
For larger bulbs such as tulips or daffodils, scatter them by hand in the designated area and make a 10 to 15cm hole for each bulb with a planting spade. Keep the section of grass intact and fill the hole with a mixture of soil and bone meal. Place the bulb on top with the growing point facing upward, replace the section of grass, and press down firmly. Fill in any gaps with soil and water thoroughly.
Native and Seasonal Selection:
Choose bulbs native to your area and suitable for the correct season to ensure optimal growth and performance. Native bulbs are better adapted to local conditions and require less maintenance, while planting seasonally appropriate bulbs ensures a continuous display of color throughout the year.
By following these planting tips and techniques, you can enjoy a stunning display of bulbs that multiply and thrive with each passing season, adding beauty and charm to your garden landscape.
Jeremy G. Killian
072 743 9008
www.jeremygkillian.co.za
www.naturesblueprint.co.za
www.roomoutside.co.za
Natures Blueprint Horticultural Group
A9, A10, A11
The PowderMill
Sunrise Circle
Ndabeni
Cape Town