This subject is a good case in point of how gardening requires some forethought. That’s because fall is the time to plant spring flowering bulbs. You’ll be glad you did, and most any home landscape design would benefit from some of these delightful additions. I suggest that you start with daffodils. They’re definitely the easiest care and best producers you can buy. You will be assured of success. I love tulips too, but they are much more likely to have the bulbs stolen by squirrels or the flowers eaten by deer. If you decide you want your spring flowering bulbs in a perennial garden, I suggest you try planting them among a “cover plant”. Here’s why. Spring flowering bulbs require that after they’re done blooming that you just let the leaves remain and turn yellow and brown. This is because they need to let their energy return to the bulb. Since this can become a little unsightly, consider planting them among a plant such as Hardy Perennial Geranium that will help hide the dying foliage. But perhaps even better yet, consider planting your bulbs in other places such as in a field of wildflowers or along the stone wall where they will look “naturalized”.

When choosing your bulbs to plant, look for big bulbs. The bigger the bulb, the better the blossom. Get your bulbs from a trustworthy source for plant care. This is one place where you get what you pay for. Cheaper isn’t better when it comes to bulbs. Then, you will get a better visual impact if you plant the bulbs in groupings. This isn’t hard if you make a trench at the proper depth and then fill it in after you’ve placed the bulbs around. Tamp it down and you’re good to go. And speaking of planting depth, it is crucial when it comes to spring flowering bulbs. Generally speaking, the bulb should be planted at approximately 3 to 4 times the depth of the height of the bulb. Dig the trench and place the bulbs randomly with the points up, then fill in the trench and rake over the area. Don’t forget the bulb fertilizer or bone meal before you fill it back in. Bulbs like to be fed too.

Lastly, lets talk about more specifics on timing. You will want to give the bulbs about 2 months for root development before the first hard frost, so plant your bulbs in early to mid fall. Don’t wait for it to get too cold. With all of this said and done, you’ll have a beautiful display of flowers in the early spring. Bulbs are a great addition to your home landscape design. It will be a welcome sight after the winter!