plant now for a showy spring

By Amy Beth Graves

When the leaves on the trees start to change color and drop to the ground, it’s a sign that fall is here. It’s also a sign that it’s time to plant bulbs so you can have a bountiful splash of color to mark the start of spring.

The best time to plant bulbs is September through October because the bulbs – especially daffodils -- need time to root well before the ground freezes. During the summer, bulbs are in a dormant stage because the weather is warm. They need low temperatures to break them out of their dormancy and start growing, according to Ohio State University Extension.

If possible, buy your bulbs as early in the fall as possible because that’s when there will be more of a selection. Look for bulbs that are dry and hard and try to buy the largest ones. The larger the bulb, the larger the flower, said Will Dewees, who has harvested and sold heirloom bulbs and flowers for 15 years from his home near Amesville in Athens County.

When deciding where to plant your bulbs, make sure there will be adequate sunlight in the spring. Bulbs can be planted under deciduous trees, which will provide only partial shade in the spring. Be aware that planting bulbs in a southern location next to a foundation could induce the bulbs to emerge too early, resulting in freezing injury.

When planting your bulbs, follow the guide on the planting chart. The rule of thumb is a depth four times the height of the bulb between the soil surface and the tip of the bulb, Dewees said. For example, hyacinths should be six inches or deeper and daffodils, six to eight inches deep, according to OSU Extension. Dewees recommended planting the large bulbs six inches apart and two inches apart for smaller bulbs.

To grow the best looking plants, add a complete fertilizer such as 5-10-10 to the soil at a rate of three pounds per 100 square feet, according to OSU Extension. Loosen the soil under the bulb and make sure there is plenty of drainage so the bulbs won’t be sitting in water. If the soil is a heavy clay, mix it with one-third to one-half organic material such as peat moss or compost, advises OSU Extension.

Plant the bulbs with the growing tip up. “It should look like a rocket ship when you put it in the ground,” Dewees said.

If you have a problem with rodents digging up or feeding on bulbs, avoid tulips, crocuses, chionodoxa and lilies. The heirloom bulbs that Dewees sells are deer-proof and can be ordered through his Web site.

For more information about selecting and planting bulbs, visit OSU Extension’s Web site.

To comment on this article, e-mail info@ourohio.org

You must be logged in to leave a comment. Click here to login or register.