Now's the Time to Think Spring!
Spring Bulbs, that is
Daffodils, hyacinths and smaller bulbs such as crocus, grape hyacinth and Siberian squill will do best when you plant them by mid-to late October. Tulips tolerate late planting better, but it's still best to get them in as soon as possible.
Be sure to water the bulbs after you plant them and then about once a week until the ground freezes, unless we have regular rain. Watering is important because bulbs need to start growing roots this fall in order to make it through winter.
Once the soil freezes, mulch the bulbs with several inches of straw or leaves. Mulching helps protect bulbs from severe cold as well as from warming too rapidly in spring, which can cause bulbs to emerge too early, only to freeze when the weather turns cold again.
Photo credit: Stephanie Town
Grape hyacinth are wonderfully fragrant and deer will leave them alone.
Photo credit: Stephanie Town
Allium giganteum produces 4" blue spheres atop 40" stems that everyone in the neighborhood comments on.
Photo Credit: Stephanie Town
Try planting some of the other, lesser-known bulbs and you'll be amazed
by the variety of sizes, colors, forms and smells you'll discover next spring.
Pictured here, Fire and Ice Tulip.
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