What signals the beginning of spring more than a crocus bloom pushing through the snow or a clump of bright yellow narcissus and red tulips standing at attention on a blustery April day? In order to have these early blooms, fall is the time to purchase and plant spring blooming bulbs like narcissus (also referred to as jonquils or daffodils), hyacinths, tulips, muscari and crocus.
Inside each bulb is a spring flower waiting to be chilled then warmed up so it can bloom. These bulbs are available at garden centers in the fall, and should be planted from October through early December in order to bloom the following spring. When you're choosing bulbs, look for firm flesh and the largest size in order to have the best display. There are also lesser known bulbs like galanthus, chionodoxa and fritillaria that you can try.
Bulbs want a sunny, well-drained spot, which can be under large deciduous trees or shrubs that will be leafless in spring when the bulbs will start growing, or in a lawn or garden setting. Holes for a single bulb can be dug with a trowel, or a larger hole can be made to contain multiple bulbs (still at the recommended spacing) for an attention-getting clump of blooms.
Bulbs should be planted at different depths, depending on the bulb size. Directions for the depth of the planting hole and spacing between bulbs should be available with the bulbs. A general rule of thumb is to dig the depth of the planting hole two to three times the height of the bulb. If you have clay soil, put a 1-inch layer of gravel or small rock at the bottom of the hole so the bulbs won't sit in water. Add bulb fertilizer, fill in with soil, and you are done!
After blooming, the flower stem can be removed, but be sure to leave the foliage (leaves) so they can make food for next year's bulb. Do not remove or mow the leaves until they turn yellow. Yellowed, withered foliage is your sign that the bulb has done its work in creating next year's blooms and the foliage can then be removed. If bulbs can be planted among perennials or where annual flowers are planted, the fading foliage can be hidden by the other plants.
Unfortunately, some bulbs are attractive food for garden critters. Tulips especially are eaten by chipmunks, mice and voles. Tulips can be planted underground but inside a wire basket made of hardware cloth or chicken wire. Squirrels seem to like digging in disturbed soil, so chicken wire or other wire can be placed atop the bulb area and weighted with rock will keep their investigating to a minimum. Flowers in the narcissus family are not favored food for these animals, so you might try planting them for a successful showing.
Planting bulbs is a great activity to get children interested in gardening. They can help dig the hole, place the bulbs and watch for the first green tips to show after the winter. A little planning can provide a cheerful show months later.
The Central Missouri Master Gardeners are a volunteer group of 191 members, 122 of whom are Cole County residents, who maintain 11 beautification sites in Cole County. Master Gardeners must complete a basic training program of at least 30 hours of horticultural training including landscaping, lawns, vegetables, flowers and fruits, as well as 30 hours of volunteer service.