Get the old-time favorites: Daffodils, Tulips, Hyacinth, and Crocus - Will give you bloom all spring
Many times gardeners see bulb displays during the spring and take note to plant bulbs in the fall; well, the time is now. You can plant bulbs as long as you can get a hole in the ground; even in December if the soil is thawed. Don’t let another spring pass by without spring-blooming bulbs such as crocus, tulips, daffodils, and hyacinth. Last year, bulbs were blooming all over the Delaware Valley while not-so-lucky gardeners admired them from a distance, promising themselves that in the fall they would plant bulbs. It’s getting down to the wire now, bulbs are still available at your garden nursery, but popular new varieties and colors will disappear of the shelves sooner than later. Tulips in colors such as maroon, black, and hot colors with green variegation, and even multi-colored varieties are getting scarce. The pink trumpet varieties of daffodils are almost gone; and the hyacinth in dark purple, orange-orange, and bright blue are now most likely a thing of the past. But don’t let that discourage you from purchasing the old-time favorites such as red tulips, bright yellow daffodils, and sweet-smelling hyacinth.
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Left to right - Tulip, Daffodil, Crocus, Hyacinth. Plant this way, top up
Bulbs are available in pre-designed packages, large economic bags, as well as, singles which run around 40-60 cents each. But don’t plant them sparingly, larger bags hold up to 30-50 bulbs each; and when planted in groups, it will definitely make the colorful announcement to the neighbors that spring is finally here. Bulbs are easy to plant and almost fool-proof for the beginner gardener. You dig a hole to the depth according to the instructions on the package; remember, different varieties are planted at different depths. Then add a little bone meal to the hole. Bone meal is located right where the bulbs are in the store. Place the bulb in the ground, make sure the root side is down and the top of the bulb is facing up; and if you’re not sure, plant it sideways. Although not recommended, bulbs are so easy to grow that gardeners have been known to thrown bulbs on the ground, step on them pushing into the soft ground; and sure enough, they sprouted in the spring. The last step is to cover them up and water them once. The weather will take care of the rest in the fall.
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Crocus, Tulip, Daffodil, Hyacinth - This is the bottom of the bulb - Plant this end down
Popular bulbs for every season include the common daffodils, hyacinth, and tulip that bloom in spring. Philadelphia urban gardeners can plant bulbs in containers or even a small pot by the front step by using method of lasagna layers. You can also plant bulbs in groups under trees, or plant masses along the edge of the woods. Another way to use bulbs is to mix them with annuals. Low growing bulbs, such as crocus, make a great ground cover; and taller growing bulbs like daffodils and tulips are useful as accents in front of shrubs and under shade trees, shrubs, and perennials. So get going! Visit the garden nursery, choose the bulbs you like best, plant according to directions; and then, sit back and chill out. In the spring, when the bulbs come up, don’t forget to stop and smell the hyacinth sometimes!
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