Fall is the time to think of Spring Bulbs

Aug 25, 2011

by Ankaret Dean, Lanark County Master Gardeners One of the miracles of gardening is found in spring bulbs. We buy them in the fall,

plant them before freeze up and then, in the spring, there are our beautiful colourful flowers. No weeding, no watering, no fertilizing. Up they come ready to welcome spring. There are a few tricks to the trade, but essentially they are foolproof. Choosing bulbs is the first step, and here a little knowledge can help.

Firstly one thinks of daffodils. These come in a huge variety of sizes, shapes and types. There are small dwarf daffodils for small gardens and rockeries, these usually

bloom early. There are daffodils which have a lovely fragrance, like narcissi, and daffodils which are very traditional like “King Alfred”, and then there are some which are multi-flowered and even some that are pink.

Some varieties are suitable for naturalizing. These are like old friends reappearing very year and multiplying. It is essential not to cut back the leaves until they have died back naturally, thus restoring energy to the bulb. I also fertilize these bulbs before they die back, using a water soluble fertilizer on a damp day. They must be planted deep, 5-6’’ down, and may be planted in a treed area before the leaves come out, but theyhate to be in a wet area as the bulbs will rot.

The greatest advantage of daffodils is that the bulbs are poisonous as are the leaves,so no problems with deer and small animals like chipmunks and squirrels.

The next spring favourite are probably tulips in all their glory. These will also multiply when left undisturbed and may even need to be dug up and divided after several years, Tulips come in a huge variety of colours and sizes, and also have a range of blooming times. The Ottawa Tulip Festival will plant a succession of blooming times so that they are ensured of a long, showy period of bloom. Tulip bulbs are tasty to some animals, and rabbits enjoy chewing through the stalks and leaving the tulip beheaded.

Small spring bulbs, such as crocus, snowdrops, and scillas are a joy to behold in the early spring and well worth planting. It is worth covering them with a piece of flyscreen to keep away the predators, especially if they are planted close to the house.

Visit the garden centres early to find the best selection and remember to look forthem as the snow melts away in the spring.

 All your gardening questions can be submitted and answered on our website atwww.lanarkmastergardeners.mgoi.ca