READY FOR FALL? IT"S TIME TO THINK SPRING . . . FLOWERING BULBS
By Jenae Skelton, District Horticulture Agent
As the temperatures start to cool down, many folks get excited for the things that autumn brings: the leaves turning colors on the trees, pumpkin carving, football games, hot apple cider, and a plethora of fall-associated activities.
If you are interested in flower gardening, one of the things you might want to think about in the fall is planting spring-flowering bulbs, such as daffodils, tulips, crocus, hyacinths, oriental lilies, alliums, etc. These types of bulbs are planted in the fall, usually late September through November, and bloom in the spring (March through May). These plants have a chilling requirement called vernalization, similar to winter wheat, in order for them to produce flowers in the following spring.
- Choose a location with good soil drainage. Bulbs that get too wet will rot!
- Plant bulbs at a depth 2-3 times the length of the bulb. Typically this will be about 6-8 inches. Always plant the pointed end up!
- If your soil needs phosphorus, dig the hole for the bulbs and add it to the bottom of the hole to promote root development. Unlike nitrogen, phosphorus is not very mobile in the soil and may not move down to where the bulb needs it.
For more information, check out this video from Kansas Healthy Yards and Communities on planting spring-flowering bulbs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MLekj8TKhRo
