Fall Bulb Planting Essentials
Many avid gardeners appreciate fall as a “second planting season” of sorts, regardless of their experience. It’s more comfortable to work outdoors because of the cooler weather, and less watering is required. However, there are ways to maximize the health and beauty of any flower bulbs you plant. Here are the essentials of bulb planting in the fall to help you flex your creative gardening muscle and have a thoroughly beautiful lawn before long.
Loosen Soil and Consider Bulb Planting Depth
The first thing you should do is loosen the soil in your planting beds, achieving a depth of around 8 inches at least. Be sure to remove any debris such as weeds, bits of wood and rocks at this time. You can also add compost or slow releasing fertilizer in the even of the soil lacking helpful nutrients. Also, be sure to consider how deep you’ll need to plant your bulbs, using their respective labels as a guide as they indicate recommended planting depths. Generally, larger bulbs should be about 8 inches deep, while small ones are best planted 5 inches down.
Plant Bulbs in the Correct Orientation
When the time comes to plant your bulbs, be sure to do so with the roots facing down and pointed side upwards. Some species are more difficult to identify the orientation of than others, so be sure to check online or plant the bulb on its side if you’re unsure as it will usually orient itself appropriately. Afterwards, fill in the holes with soil and lightly compress them, followed by a watering to help stimulate root growth. Don’t forget that you won’t need to water continuously unless if you live somewhere that has low precipitation during the winter.
Plant in Clusters and Low in Front
If you happen to plan on planting one bulb alone or make a thin string of them grow together, the result will be underwhelming and look empty. For the best appearance, try planting your bulbs in clusters to allow for a concentration of colour. Even small clusters are ideal, made even more effective if you plant low bulbs in front of higher ones (though there are exceptions, such as if low-growing bulbs bloom early and the tall ones later).
Prepping your garden for a lush spring garden is plenty of fun due to how easy it is. With a little elbow grease and creativity, it’s a breeze to plan flower bulbs that are sure to bloom beautifully and absorb plenty of nutrients during the winter!