A quick stop at the local odd-lots store today found tulip, daffodil and other spring bulbs 75% off! It worked out to $1.25 a bag…what a deal! I bought almost 200 tulip bulbs in deep purples and bright pink and some daffodils,too. The weather in Rochester tomorrow will be warm with temps in the 60’s, perfect bulb planting weather especially for November.

Spring bulbs are a beautiful way to welcome spring with color. They’re easy to plant and many will multiply over the years when given a healthy start. Here’s what you need to know:

• Quality: When buying choose only large, healthy bulbs with no soft spots. Be sure they aren’t wrinkled or withered. Bulbs come in early, mid and late blooming varieties. For continuous blooms select a mix of all three.
• Location: Spring flowering bulbs prefer rich, well drained soil in a sun. Under-planting near trees is fine if the bulbs will flower before the tree leaves fill out. Keep in mind larger bulbs like tulips and daffodils need to be planted at least 6″ deep and trees with big roots may make digging difficult.
• Temperature: When planting in the North the bulbs must be planted before the ground freezes and there’s still time for roots to grow. Mid-October to mid-November is ideal. In warm regions, the bulbs must be “chilled” then planted in early spring to break dormancy.

To plant:

• Dig a hole (or use a bulb planter with pre-marked lines) to a depth of three times the bulb width. For tulips and daffodils that’s 6″. To plant a cluster of bulbs, remove a large area of sod/dirt, plant several bulbs underneath and replace the sod.
• Fertilize by dusting the hole bottom with bone meal. This promotes strong root growth.
• Plant the bulb with the pointed tip up and cover with soil. Pat the soil down firmly over the bulb. If moles are a problem, line the hole with wire mesh before planting.
• Water the bulbs thoroughly. Even though it’s late fall, the bulbs need water to become established. If the weather is dry you will need to water once a week until the ground freezes.

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