Spring Flowering Bulb Planting Guide

Planting bulbs is relatively easy to do and is well-worth the effort in the spring when beautiful flowers start to emerge. It is hard to believe that these small bulbs will create a burst of color in the spring with just some water, sunlight and simple care.

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The best time to plant bulbs varies depending on where you live. Ideally, wait until the soil temperature has dropped to 60 degrees. If you buy bulbs early, be sure to store them in a cool, dry place.

Tools Needed
High-Quality Bulbs
Trowel or bulb-planting tool
Shovel
Chesapeake Blue or other compost
Water and nozzle

1. Select a location for your bulbs that receives at least a half days sun and has well-drained soil
2. Prepare the planting bed by digging the soil to loosen it up so it is easy to work with.
3. If you are planting a large group of bulbs, you can dig one large hole for each grouping. Not only is this an easier way to plant, it also creates the dramatic impact in the spring. If you are planting individual bulbs, say along a walk way, individual hole will have to be dug for each bulb.
4. The depth that the bulbs need to be planted depend on the type of bulb. A general rule of thumb is the hole will be twice as deep as the bulbs height.
5. Place your bulbs in the holes, be sure that the pointed side or the top is facing up.
6. Backfill the hole with a 1:3 mixture of Chesapeake Blue and soil.
7. Water thoroughly to keep soil moist, but not soggy.

Layering Bulbs

Several types of bulbs can be planted together or layered in one cluster to create continuous color in the spring or one dramatic show, depending on the bloom time of the bulbs you choose. To layer your bulbs follow the steps outline above and plant varieties of bulbs at their recommended depth. Put in the first layer of bulbs, then add two inches of the soil and Chesapeake Blue mixture, then add your next layer of bulbs and so on. It is ok if bulbs on top of one another, they will work around each other.

Planting Bulbs with Perennials

Planting bulbs with perennials is a great way to ensure continuous color and to mask the yellowing foliage of your spring bulbs. Plant perennials in front or around your bulbs. A perfect perennial for this is the Stella de oro daylily or any of our 140 Hostas.

Continued Bulb Care

Once bulbs are planted, they require very little maintenance and will provide years of spring color. In the spring, use Chesapeake Blue as a topdressing 1 inch deep. Make sure that your bubs are water regularly to keep the soil moist, but not soggy.

That’s it! Sit back and enjoy your beautiful bulbs!