GARDENER'S READING ROOM
Bulbs and Seeds

Fall is Near… Think Spring

Most spring-blooming bulbs arrive at Sky about the second week of September. Fall may be just around the corner, but it’s time to think way ahead… to spring. To have your beautiful display of spring blooming flowers you have to think spring while in the autumn of the year. Planting bulbs on a crisp fall day is one of the pleasures of gardening.

Some quick reminders for a successful spring show of blooms…

• Best selection of bulbs is mid-September through October
• Soon after purchasing your bulbs, plant them! If it’s still too warm or you’re too busy to plant, then store your bulbs in paper bags, not plastic, keeping them in a cool, dry area…Remember though, they won’t bloom sitting in the garage come spring.
• Daffs and iris can go in at once; wait until night time temps stay between 40 and 50 degrees for about two weeks to plant tulips and others.
• Rich, well draining soil is a must! Add bulb food to the bottom of the planting hole and work it in well…. Put in bulbs and water well as you fill the hole back in with soil.
• Which way is up? With most bulbs, the rule is “pointy end up,” but there are exceptions, so when in doubt plant the bulb on its side. How deep? The rule of thumb is to plant bulbs two-three times the width of the bulb, except in containers, where they can be planted less deep.

What bulbs are available in the fall???? A brief A-Z list would be… allium, amaryllis, anemone, crocus, daffodil, fritillaria, hyacinth, iris, lily, ranunculus, squill, tulip… on down to Zantedeschia aethiopica, the old-fashioned white calla lily (which is only available as a bulb in the fall)! In between A to Z, there are many specialty bulbs, from the earliest (snowdrops) to the later varieties. Stop by Sky to check out all of the future spring bloomers!

by Deb Breazeale
Skylights Fall 2010, Vol 25, No. 3

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