Grow & Tell | How to Plant Bulbs #plants #gardening #fall #bloom, by Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden on YouTube. 1 min 7 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 7 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Choose firm, plump bulbs with no soft spots or mould. Bigger bulbs tend to give bigger flowers, so sort out any that feel mushy.
Pick a spot with sun or light shade and soil that drains well. Dig in compost and a handful of grit if your soil is heavy clay.
Plant tulips and most spring bulbs about three times their own height deep. A 5 cm bulb goes about 15 cm down.
Use a trowel or bulb planter to make a hole, place the bulb with the pointed end up, and firm the soil back over it.
Space bulbs roughly two to three bulb widths apart. For a fuller display, plant them in groups of five or more.
Water the bed well after planting to settle the soil. You will not need to water much again unless the winter is dry.
Spread a layer of mulch over the bed to keep moisture in and stop weeds. Keep the mulch light so shoots can push through.
Mark the spot with a label or small sticks so you do not dig into the bulbs by mistake before spring.
Tips and common mistakes
Plant tulips in late autumn, when the soil has cooled, to reduce the risk of bulb rot.
Never press bulbs hard into the soil; set them in a hole so the base sits flat.
Squirrels dig up bulbs, so cover the bed with netting or chicken wire until the ground freezes.
Wear gloves when handling bulbs and wash your hands afterwards, as some bulbs can irritate skin.
Questions
Which end of the bulb goes up?
The pointed tip goes up and the flat, rooty base goes down. If you cannot tell, plant it on its side; it will usually still grow.
Can I plant bulbs in pots?
Yes. Use a pot with drainage holes and a good potting mix, and plant bulbs at the same depth as in the ground. Keep the pot outdoors over winter.
What if I plant them too shallow?
Shallow bulbs can be lifted by frost or eaten by animals. If you are unsure, plant a little deeper rather than shallower.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
