Making A Case For Delayed Gratification

So, I know it's a little late for this post here in Iowa, but no self-respecting garden blogger could let fall slip by without at least mentioning bulbs. I don't care if you're a garden maven or a hermit, I defy you to look at a drift of spring bulbs in all their glory and not be impressed. Those early season blooms of daffodils, tulips and the like cheer us immensely and provide proof that winter truly does come to an end each year.

If you want to enjoy these first flowers of spring in your own garden, you need to make plans for the show now. Fall is the time to get those bulbs in the ground.

There are a few simple planting rules to follow. OK, so this first rule may seem silly, but I'll say it anyway because it matters. Plant bulbs 'pointy' side up. Planting depth should be clearly marked on most bulb packets, but a general rule is to plant them 2 1/2 times as deep as the bulb is wide.

Bulbs need at least a half a day of sun to thrive. They will get weak and spindly without enough light, so choose your site with that in mind. The soil needs to be loose and rich, so amend it with compost if necessary. Once the flowers are spent, you need to let the foliage die back naturally to build bulb strength for next season’s blooms.

If you add fertilizer at the time you plant your bulbs, be sure to mix it into the soil well so that it does not directly contact and burn the bulbs. Bone meal can be a great slow-release fertilizer for bulbs, but beware of using it if you have critter problems. Raccoons will happily dig up all of your bulbs in order to get at the bone meal. I speak from experience.

Bulbs are one case where buying the larger, more expensive ones will pay bigdividends the first year they are planted. Bulbs are actually graded, much like eggs, though most nurseries do not list grades. Look for bulbs that are large, firm and free from soft spots or other signs of disease.

A few rules of thumb for bulb design. The first is, the more the merrier. One is definitely a lonely number when it comes to bulbs. When you plant just a few in one location they become lost and look like mistakes. The smaller the bulb, the more you need. For example, ten crocus bulbs might have the same effect as five daffodil bulbs. By interspersing bulbs with perennials you avoid holes in the garden and the foliage from the perennials helps to hide withering bulb foliage.

Large drifts of the same color always look great. Repeat the drifts in odd numbers or naturalize them by planting dozens or even hundreds of bulbs in carefree, informal drifts in lightly wooded areas, lawns or rock gardens.


No garden is complete without a few spring bulbs. Do a little work now and thank yourself for it for many springs to come.