FALL PLANTING FOR SPRING BLOOMING BULBS
When gardens are a frenzy of color it’s hard to think of planting bulbs for spring. Yet by early September tulip and daffodil and other bulbs arrive at the nursery.
Buy your bulbs when they arrive for the best selection. If you can’t plant them right away store them in paper bags in warm, dry, dark areas. Do not store them in the refrigerator or other cool areas. It’s dry warmth (not heat) which keeps them dormant.
This year we have an amazing selection of varieties: deer resistant crocus, narcissus, colchicums, hyacinths, minor bulbs, and alliums.
The best soils for bulbs are well draining and of average fertility. Compost is the best amendment for bulb soils. Do not use any manures or products containing manures when planting bulbs except as a top dressing. If the manures come in contact with the bulb itself it creates conditions perfect for rotting.
Deer and squirrels are the bain of gardeners.
Two approaches are:
Use dry repellents which are absorbed by the bulb when planting the bulbs. After planting and just as the new growth emerges above ground, use a repellent spray around the plant. If animals are deterred early on they will often leave the plants alone.
From our customers, we have learned the following technique works best for tulips, crocus and now some alliums - the bulbs most delicious to our four legged neighbors.
A. Dig a hole and place the bulb.
B. Spray repellent in the hole and on the bulb.
C. Bury the bulb and cover the planting area with compost.
D. Spray the entire bed with the repellent.
That's it. There may be one or two exploratory tastings, but that's all.
Planting Fritillaries among other bulbs often works as well. The animals don't like the foxy smell emitted by the plants.
Narcissus, hyacinths, snowdrops, camassia and many others aren't bothered being distasteful or poisinous.
Crocus tommasinianus is still the most avoided crocus. Squirrels seem only to eat it if the ground is freshly disturbed, so cover new plantings with twigs or boughs – rose and barberry branches work very well!