How to give your garden a late-summer glow-up
With a few thoughtful touches, you can revive your outdoor space and keep it vibrant right through to fall. Here are some tips and tricks.
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Fall officially begins in less than a week, welcoming in cooler temperatures across Michigan and heralding the end of the growing season.
Fall is when gardeners need to prepare for spring, though, by planting bulbs and taking care of other tasks.
“Fall is the perfect time to plant tulips, daffodils, crocus and other spring flowering bulbs,” Michigan State University’s Extension said. “Spring flowering bulbs are generally quite homely, but these drab, deceiving vegetative organs (bulbs) that are typically brown in color will deliver brilliance in the warmth of spring.”
Bulbs are how many plants spread and reproduce. Spring bulbs lay dormant over the winter, develop underground then bloom once temperatures rise in the spring.
“It is a storehouse for the plant and all the nutrients it needs to begin to grow again,” MSU said.
To tee up a successful bloom, there are several factors to consider when planting bulbs, including timing, depth, spacing and more.
Popular bulbs include tulips, daffodils, iris, hyacinths, crocus and ornamental onions, according to English Gardens, a Michigan Nursery and Landscaping Center.
Here’s more on planting bulbs this fall in Michigan:
What are bulbs?
The word bulb is used to describe geophytes (meaning “earth plant”) — perennials or recurring plants that grow underground by efficiently storing nutrients and water to endure the winter, according to the University of California’s Agriculture and Natural Resources.
“These underground storage containers are active, and when conditions are right, they grow, bloom, and reproduce,” the University of California’s program said.
There are variations of bulbs — true bulbs, corms, tubers and rhizomes — that are distinguishable by appearance.
When should I plant bulbs during fall in Michigan?
Bulbs can be planted from September through December, however, late October is the recommended deadline to avoid exposing bulbs to freezing temperatures, according to MSU.
Planting bulbs early in the fall season allows them “to acclimate and enter a protective state of dormancy” MSU said. If you plant bulbs late, there are ways to boost their chances of survival by keeping them warm, such as:
Planting near a buffer from the wind.Planting close to a home or heated structure.Planting at a higher elevation than the surrounding area (to allow for cold air drainage — cold air settles in low spots).Planting where there is full sun exposure (6-plus hours per day).Laying a thick layer of mulch above a bulb to trap heat in the soil below.How deep should I plant bulbs?
If a bulb is planted too shallow it may be vulnerable to frost damage, according to the Michigan Gardener, a southeast Michigan gardening magazine.
“The rule of thumb for bulb depth is to set a bulb with soil over its nose two to three times as deep as the bulb is tall,” said Michigan Gardener.
Gardeners also should mark where a bulb has been planted to avoid accidentally digging them up or leaving something on the soil’s surface that may obstruct the sprouting space.
What bulbs bloom in early spring?
According to MSU, here’s a list of bulbs referred to as “minor bulbs,” as they are the earliest bloomers:
Glory in the Snow (Chionodoxa): Star-shaped flowers in blues, lavenders, pink or white, depending on the type.Snowdrops (Galanthus): Downward-hanging, bell-like white flowers are very early bloomers.Striped Squill (Puschkinia): Pale blue, white, star-shaped flowers that have darker blue stripes.Grape hyacinth (Muscari): Blooms of rich purple, blue or white that look and smell like miniature grapes
“These bulbs may be small in size, but are mighty in performance. Many will naturalize or spread as years go by,” MSU said “They are also short in height, most not getting over 6 inches tall.”
In addition, they are safer bulbs to plant as they don’t seem to attract deer or rodents that may want dig up them up as a snack.
What can I do to help my bulbs grow?
Here are some tips to keep in mind for planting bulbs, according to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, a horticulture organization:
Pre-planting storage: Store bulbs in a dry, well-ventilated and and cool place. Conditions that are too hot can damage the bulbs; and those too humid might create fungal issues or rotting.Soil: Plant bulbs in soil that drains water well. Bulbs that don’t have good drainage are likely to rot. Depth: Determine how deep to plant bulbs. Those planted too shallow run the risk of not being well insulated while those planted too deep may not emerge in the spring. Spacing: Spacing will depend on how dense you want your plantings to be. It is recommended to leave six inches of space betweem larger bulbs; and four inches of space for smaller bulbs.
Choosing a healthy bulb is also important for a good bloom, so purchasing bulbs that are large, firm and without broken roots or mold, according to MSU and the Michigan Gardener.
Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com
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