Planting Tips

Anyone can create beauty by adding color and design with fall bulbs in your garden. Here are some simple tips for planting your tulips in the fall so they can acquire healthy root systems.

QUICK TIPS

WHEN TO PLANT
Plant when ground temperature is below 60 degrees (ask Google) and before the first heavy frost.
HOW TO PLANT
Prepare hole 6 in. deep | Put in fertilizer | Place bulbs 1 ½ in. apart, in groups of no less than 10 | Fill hole with soil | Water and wait for spring
PLANTING TIPS
Plant in an area that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight. Plant in groups of 10 or more so they can protect each other as they grow. Keep soil moist (don’t let it dry out). Good drainage is also a must! DURING BLOOM keeping the soil moist, it will make your tulips last longer. Before the petals fall off, you must top the tulip head – this will allow the stem to feed the bulb. Discard the top of the petals (don’t let petals fall into the foliage as they can create disease). Over the next 3 weeks or so, the stem/foliage will dry out – continue to keep the soil moist. Once stems and leaves are dried out, discard stem/foliage and pull your bulbs out of the ground. Store them in a paper bag, in a cool, dry place over the summer Repeat planting process in the fall.

CLIMATES & TIMING

 

Western Washington: Plant in late Oct. when ground temperatures are cooler.

Eastern Washington and Colder Climates: Use 6″ of soil to cover bulbs. Plant early Oct. before 1st frost.With severe cold, add 1″ of peat moss or mulch over the top of the soil.

Southern Climates: (Areas where winter climates do not reach below 40 degrees for at least six weeks.) Bulbs will need to be pre-chilled in the crisper draw of your refrigerator with no fruits or vegetables, as they will damage the flower bulb. After chilling them for 6 weeks, you may then plant them by our directions, preferably when your ground temps are the coolest in your area, usually late November.

Where Not to Plant: Tulips do not grow well in acidic soil, or planted under cedar or pine trees.

Be cautious not to plant bulbs under eaves of homes or protected areas where the ground does not get the natural winter rains. Ground surface needs moisture.

 

FALL BULB PLANTING TIPS
Plant three times the depth of the bulb

Temple of Beauty, and Blushing Beauty: 8″ of soil over the top of bulbs. They will be 36″ tall. Plant 1 to 1 ½” apart, close for weather protection.
Tulips: Plant 1 – 1 ½” apart, with 5″ of soil over the top of bulbs.
Daffodils: Plant 2-4″ apart. Cover with 6-8″soil. Leave them in the ground as they will propagate.
Crocus: Plant 1″ apart 2 ½” deep. Crocus also will propagate.
Hyacinths: Same as tulips
Miscellaneous Bulbs: Plant 2 ½” deep. Same as crocus, leave in the ground to propagate.

 

 


CONTAINER PLANTING

  • Drill holes in bottom of container. Add 2″ of stone or pea gravel for good drainage.
  • Fill ½ the container with a new potting soil.
  • Add a hand full of lime, and our fertilizer, or a good Bulb Booster. Add fertilizer according to the directions. Level the soil, and moisten that area.
  • Plant bulbs 1″– 1 ½” apart, and make sure the bulbs are 1″ from the outside perimeter for frost protection.
  • Add the remainder of soil to the container. Gently water the soil. A water wand works great.
  • When weather is cold, add plastic, (a garbage can liner works fine), around the outside of the container, not the top or the bottom of the container.
  • Top the container with hardy pansies. This gives lots of winter color. The tulips will grow through the pansies and they make great accent for your tulips.
  • For longer bloom time water your tulips when in the bloom cycle. Be sure to water close to the ground, not to disturb the flower petals.

 

 

PERENNIALS

 

Peonies

With minimal care they provide years of enjoyment 
  • Choose a sunny location
  • Select well drained sight. Make sure the eye; ( new bud) is only 2″ below soil surface.
  • Peonies will not bloom if planted too deep.
  • Add lime or organic fertilizer, ¼th cup to each root. Mix fertilizer in soil before planting. Water.
  • Peonies do not like to be transplanted. They will live many years without being divided.
  • Pinch off some of the buds if you wish to have larger blooms and longer stems.
  • Stake tall peonies with frames before they reach 12″.
  • Water peonies during dry spells, especially the first year.

Bleeding Hearts

  • Plant in shady, well drained soil.
  • Dig a hole 8″ x 12″ . Amend soil if necessary.
  • Spread the root systems, plant new growth or buds facing up. Cover with ½” soil and water.
  • After a few years you could divide the clumps and re-plant in other locations.