Some good advice, that I have heard over the years, is to plant a few new bulbs for spring flowers in a location where you will get to enjoy them every day next spring - such a relief if the winter has been long. That may mean that you will choose to plant near your front door.... or maybe you have a room that you work from at home, that has a window opening onto a different part of your Garden. Start with one area one year, and then gradually work your way around your Garden as time, energy and cash permit. Spring bulbs should be planted about 6 weeks before the ground freezes for the winter (not so early that they try to flower, but not so late that they can't establish some roots before winter sets in).
As it happens we had a good show of spring flowers this year, despite the previous difficult winter, so I am not planting many bulbs, as it is unnecessary. Bulbs are such a great investment. If you cut off the flower, after it has finished blooming, and allow the leaves to die back naturally, you will have a perennial planting of bulbs. A little top-dressing of compost is all the extra care that your bulbs will need.
I am planting a large Allium (Allium giganteum), that I have been unable to grow successfully in the past. It is succeptible to root rot, and black spot .... neither of which, as far as I can tell, explains my lack of success with it... however, I am doing my best to ensure good drainage, and I am trying to protect it from animal pests, although they are Not supposed to be interested in the Allium family.... at this point, I remain unconvinced!
A general test of good drainage is to pour a good amount of water into the prepared hole and see how quickly it drains. If it take longer than 6 hours, you will have to amend the soil in your Garden bed. The addition of compost to the soil will both provide nutrients to the bed, and improve its drainage.
I will be providing my Allium with extra mulch for winter protection in a couple of weeks. Then, wait and see.
I think that this bulb may just be a bit of an Achilles heel for me, and as I write this I am wondering about trying a second bulb, in another area, with an extra dose of sand planted in with the bulb. I must admit that I am hesitant about this, because I prefer to use only additions from my yard (i.e. compost) to the soil in my gardens. I am a big believer in the garden it's own unique ecosystem, and I would prefer to spend money on bulb, not soil amendments... so I will think about this. Perhaps I can just try using an extra large dose of light compost in the hole?.... think, think...
If you are planting spring bulbs, you may need to protect them from squirrels and voles, who find many of the bulbs very tasty, Many gardeners have unwittingly provided a Very Nice Snack to their local wildlife. You can try protecting them from the top with chicken wire, staked down overwinter, until the bed is established. Some people suggest planting the bulbs in a sort of underground wire cage encircling bulbs and soil.
The method I have used is simply interplanting bulbs with different species that are not supposed to be as attrative/tasty to 'the locals.' These include the above mentioned Alliums - all of the smaller ones that I have planted have survived.... did someone mention Achilles heel???
Another thought is to purchase some Fritillaria bulbs, especially Fritillaria imperialis - these bulbs are repellent to rodents, and gorgeous. Bulbs with a top depressions should be planted on their sides, so that they don't hold water in the depression and rot.
If, standing in your garden with the hole ready, you find that you are unsure which end of the bulb is up, you can plant it on it's side and nature will take care of the rest. Aren't bulbs great!
Just follow the bulb planting depth that the supplier recommends; however, if you live in a more northerly climate, you may need to plant the bulbs a little shallower to make the most of your early spring thaw and flowering - so that they don't flower too late, and compete with your perennials. Just provide the bed with some extra winter mulch. Talk to your local nursery. You can also find some great advice on bulbs at http://www.bulb.com/.
This year in our Garden, the fall rush follows the summer of not-enough-time-at-home. However fall's limited garden time is mostly because I am making some extra preserves and jams as gifts for Family and Friends at Christmas (more on that later). I have also repotted some plants indoor, and brought in the containers with the unripened tomatoes, beans, chard etc. to get the last of the harvest from these plants. There are a few tomatoes on these plants just starting to set fruit, and the plants are in a sunny spot in my workroom - I am interested to see whether there is enough light to allow more growth...
So, get out in your garden and plant a few bulbs - take 10-20 minutes, and in about 18-25 weeks, you'll be Really Glad that you did!
