By Jodi Tooke
For busy gardeners, bulbs are a great option to guarantee beautiful spring color. Just dig a hole, plop in a bulb and wait for the show!
Daffodils and tulips are probably the first that come to mind, but gardeners should also consider various small flowers such as snowdrops, crocus and grape hyacinths or larger blooms like Dutch iris and alliums (flowering onions). With prudent planning, you can have colorful blooms January through April!
A true bulb is a really short stem surrounded by fleshy leaves storing food the plant needs during dormancy and then reemergence. When they flower, the stores in the bulb are emptied, so it’s important to allow the green leaves to remain for 6-8 weeks to replenish the bulb.
Now is a great time to plant. When selecting bulbs, size matters. Look for large, blemish-free bulbs—the bigger the bulb, the bigger the bloom. The growing point should be planted uppermost, at about three times its own depth in well-drained soil.
Fertilization during growing season will help replenish the bulb. Use a slow-release fertilizer when buds begin opening or a general purpose fertilizer can be applied during blooming and again after fading. The real bonus with bulbs is that they come back year after year!
Jodi Tooke volunteers with GC Master Gardeners of the UofA Div. of Agriculture, Cooperative Ext. Service. Master Gardeners pool skills and resources to improve home horticulture, stimulate interest in plants and gardening, and encourage beautification. For more information, call 501-623-6841 or email abates@uaex.edu.
