Kerri and her daughter Rachel planting bulbs during Covid. The daffodil bulbs coming up the following spring – Photos Kerri Williams
By Kerri Williams
Out of all my gardening adventures, one I remember most fondly is getting the family together in our front yard one October to plant some bulbs purchased through a garden club fundraiser.
Everyone got in on the fun – even our two labrador retrievers – who supervised the action. For our daughter, who has special needs, it was a chance to sit on the ground and get her hands in the dirt. My husband and I dug lots of holes for the daffodil and hyacinth bulbs that would pop up in the roadside garden the following spring.
Planting hope
The fact that this planting adventure took place during Covid made it even more special. We were planting more than bulbs – we were planting hope.
Few gardening activities bring more satisfaction for the effort than planting bulbs. Carrie Gilbertie understands. It’s why many customers at Gilbertie’s Garden Center have been purchasing bulbs to plant this fall. The big payoff will come next spring when a purple crocus pops up through the ground.
“It’s when I think I can’t take the gray anymore that I spot a crocus,” Carrie said. “And then I think maybe I can make it few more weeks.”
Large assortment
Gilbertie’s has a large assortment to choose from, including many varieties of daffodils and tulips, hyacinth, alliums and crocuses. If you want a constant flower display, then be sure to purchase some that come up at different times during the spring.
While most bulbs are not native plants, they also are not invasive, and they make a beautiful addition to the spring garden when planted in addition to some native flowering plants for pollinators.
Somewhat surprisingly, one of the more popular bulbs this year is the tulip, Carrie said.
Tulips had not been big sellers in years past because deer will eat them, but they are coming back into fashion, she said. Many people are looking for unusual and beautiful varieties. Gardeners are dealing with the deer issues through fencing or using natural repellents, such as cayenne pepper spray.
For UConn Master Gardener and Westporter Paul Rossi, it’s the alliums, with their beautiful globe-like flowers, that especially take his eye. Besides their unique appearance, he enjoys that they are deer tolerant and that there are so many types and colors to choose from. He purchases many of his bulbs through mail order to pepper around his landscape.
Bulbs can be planted in the fall up until the ground freezes. Most bulbs need that chilling period of winter to bloom in the spring.
Be creative
You can get creative in placing them, whether it be by a mailbox or stone wall or by the front doorstep. One tip from Carrie is to gently toss a handful of bulbs and plant them where they land. It looks a little more natural than placing them in rows, she said.
But make sure you place them in a spot with the proper sunlight and soil requirements, Paul said. While most bulbs like full sun, some thrive in partial sun. Most do best in well-drained soil, but some prefer it to be moister.
Gardeners should also pay attention to the height of the flower when deciding whether to place it in a border or more towards the center of a garden. Paul often puts the larger alliums towards the back of a border.
Tips
Plant bulbs with the pointy side up and the roots facing down. The rule of thumb is that they should be planted at a depth that is 2-3 times the height of the bulb, according to Paul. He usually adds a small handful of multipurpose fertilizer that is a little higher in phosphorous to help them thrive. Paul uses a slow-release granular fertilizer, look for a 5-10-10 or a 10-10-10, mixed lightly in the hole but not touching the bulb.
If you have a population of squirrels and chipmunks, Carrie recommends placing some cayenne pepper inside the hole with the bulb, and it will help keep the creatures from digging them up.
Paul also plants some of his bulbs in pots, storing the bulbs in his garage before planting them towards the end of winter.
So, while you are taking in the beauty of fall, don’t forget to think ahead with your gardening plans by placing some bulbs in the ground. You will thank yourself next spring.
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