A How-to Guide: planting your spring flowering bulbs
Have you started planting your fall bulbs yet? The last weekend of October through mid-November is the perfect time to get bulbs in the ground. I hope that this guide helps you have a successful fall planting!
Planting Tulips
When investing in tulip bulbs for your spring garden, it is very important to consider how you will deter pests. Voles love tulip bulbs and will tunnel underground to eat them. Squirrels might dig bulbs up, and deer and rabbits will be tempted to munch on the leaves once they sprout. Here are 3 ways to mitigate these threats:
Plant your bulbs in a planter, lining the drainage hole with wire mesh. This is a fun option because it allows you to layer different types of bulbs together for a stunning spring display.
Interplant tulips with other flowers that animals do not like, such as Alliums, Fritillarias, and Narcissus. I have had a lot of success with this method in an area of our garden that is not protected from deer or rabbits.
Plant into a garden bed that is lined with wire mesh on the top and bottom. I line an area with wire mesh and use boards to build a temporary garden bed on top of the mesh. Next I put in a layer of aged compost, add the bulbs, and then completely cover with compost. The final step is to lay more wire mesh on top. Once the tulips are blooming in the spring I like to cover them with a frost cloth at night to further deter pests.
If you are growing tulips for cut flowers to enjoy in your home, you can plant the bulbs close together like eggs in a carton. Flower farmers typically use this planting method, as the bulbs are simply pulled along with the flower and ultimately composted. If you would like your tulips to perennialize (Darwin Hybrids are the best for perennializing!) plant them about 6 inches apart.
Planting Alliums, Fritillaria, and Crocus
The general rule of thumb when planting bulbs is to plant the bulb 2-3 times deep as the bulb is large. So, a tiny crocus bulb might be less than two inches below the surface, while a larger allium could be closer to 5 inches.
I recommend planting these varieties in groups of three or more for the biggest impact in your landscape. A group of alliums towards the back of the garden bed, fritillaria and crocus more towards the front.
Planting Peonies
Your bare root peony will have a couple small pink shoots beginning to form on its roots. These are called the ‘eyes’ of the peony root. When you plant the root the eyes should be no more than 2 inches beneath the surface of the dirt. If the peony is planted too deep it will not flower as well as it would if planted at the optimal depth. Keep in mind that the peony will eventually grow quite large, so choose a spot in your garden where it can expand over the years.
