Spring bulbs convey that first rushing of color after wintertime ’s gray , but a few missteps can pass on you with sparse blooms or even no blossoms at all . I eff how disappointing it is to dig up a frost - hardy crocus only to see mushy rot hiding beneath the soil ! In this article , we ’ll dive into seven vernacular bulb - planting errors , so you’re able to get those tulip , daffodil , and hyacinths bursting off in all their halo .
Each gratuity admit billet on where these bulbs hail from , whether they tend to naturalise ( or become trespassing ) , and how their flowers — and the dirt around them — support busy pollinators , nesting insects , and soil - brood helpers like earthworms and springtail . Let ’s get your garden off to the good start this spring !
Planting at the Wrong Time
One of the most frequent mistakes is planting lightbulb too betimes or too late in the time of year . Plant in fond , wet ground before the first hard freezing — typically in mid - fall — so ascendent can found without shooting green shoot into winter ’s frisson . If you plant too early on , electric-light bulb may rot in soggy soil ; too late , and they wo n’t root profoundly enough , head to weak , spindly growth when spring arrives .
Many bulbs , like Tulipa spp . ( tulips ) , are aboriginal to Central Asia ’s coolheaded mountain slope and trust on that fall - into - winter cycles/second . When time correctly , their early bounce blossom draw honeybees and bumblebees , which often nest in stark mend between bulbs . pretermit the window , and you hook both your garden and these native pollinators of a vivacious spring display !
Skipping Soil Preparation
Throwing bulb into unamended soil is a recipe for foiling . punishing clay or poor loam can strangle bulbs , prevent the tiny feeder roots from emit and expatiate . I once planted a bed of Narcissus spp . ( daffodils ) without adding compost , only to find they barely lifted their heads above run aground the undermentioned spring !
Amending your layer with compost or well - aged manure improve drainage and adds constitutional matter that soil bug and earthworms adore . Those worms tunnel around the bulbs , creating nesting cavities and cycling nutrients back into the land — effects you ’ll see as hard , more uniform blooms !
Crowding Bulbs Too Closely
It ’s tempting to pack in as many bulbs as potential for a carpeted effect , but overcrowding prevents air circulation and food from gain each light bulb . Crowded bulbs compete for water and food , result in smaller , thin flowers instead of the lush show you ’re dreaming of .
One of my preferred deterrent example came after catch my Allium spp . ( decorative onions ) shrivel where bulb were only an inch apart . Spacing them properly — usually two to three medulla widths — allows springtails and beneficial mites to move freely through the soil , decomposing leafage litter and improving dirt wellness around each bulb ’s neck !
Planting Bulbs at Incorrect Depth
Planting bulb too shallow exposes them to freeze and drouth ; too recondite , and shoots drop precious DOE reaching the Earth’s surface . A good rule of quarter round is to implant at a astuteness two to three times the bulb ’s height . My first crocus bulbs , establish an inch abstruse , succumbed to reiterate frosts — what a bummer that was !
Bulbs like Hyacinthus orientalis ( hyacinths ) , native to Eastern Mediterranean forest , require that right buffer to mimic their native wintertime - snow insulation . Correct depth also ensures their ambrosia - robust heyday appear aright on schedule , draw early foragers like mason bees that nest in hollow stem nearby .
Forgetting to Fertilize Bulbs
Bulbs lay in vim , but they still treasure a nutrient hike in fall and give . cut fertiliser can result in skinny leafage and few blossom over clip . I learned this after several years of sick tulip — adding a bulb - specific fertilizer with phosphoric in fall had them popping color the next spring !
A balanced fertilizer stand soil bacteria and fungus kingdom that take form relationship with bulbs ’ birdfeeder roots . In bit , these microbe help feast emerging shoot , and earthworms turn that fertilized soil into perfect nesting grounds , insure your Narcissus pseudonarcissus and fritillarias thrive class after year .
Neglecting Drainage
Standing pee is a bulb ’s nemesis . Even hardy bulb like Allium and Crocus ask well - drain soil — otherwise , they rot before etymon develop . I once lost an intact bandage of saffron crocus to pooled water after heavy rains — so discouraging !
Raised beds or amending heavy soils with coarse guts and grit can solve that . dependable drainage also pull in beneficial priming coat mallet and springtails , which police the soil surface and help keep slug populations in hitch . A well - drained bed mean drier Night and healthier bulbs !
Overlooking Pest and Rodent Protection
Bulb gadfly like vole , squirrels , and mice can extinguish your spring display overnight . Failing to protect bulbs with telegram cages , baulk repellents , or marauder - friendly habitat invites critter to feast on your cherished investment . I still wince remembering the clock time my intact ranunculus layer vanished beneath the grease !
Planting daffodil ( Narcissus spp . ) , which are toxic to many critters , among more tempting species can create a natural barrier . Additionally , boost predator home ground — like owl boxes for barn owls — help keep rodent populations in check . A few dim-witted defenses keep light bulb thieves at bay laurel and your garden entire !
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Rabbit Manure | Credit: Wikimedia Commons
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