Hot tips for tulip bulbs planting this fall | #fallplanting, by The Weather Network on YouTube. 2 min 30 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 30 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Wait until soil temperatures drop to about 10 C or lower, usually late September to November in most regions. Bulbs planted too early can sprout before winter.
Pick a spot with full sun and soil that drains well. Dig in compost if the soil is heavy clay so water does not sit around the bulbs.
Dig a hole about three times as deep as the bulb is tall, roughly 15 to 20 cm for large tulips. Space bulbs about 10 to 15 cm apart.
Set each bulb in the hole with the pointed tip facing up and the flat base down. Press it gently into the soil.
Cover the bulbs with soil and firm it down lightly to remove air pockets. Water once so the soil settles.
Lay chicken wire or mesh over the planted area and cover it with a thin layer of soil or mulch. This stops squirrels from digging up the bulbs.
Add a 5 cm layer of mulch to keep soil temperature steady through winter. Do not water again unless the fall is very dry.
Tips and common mistakes
Plant in groups of 10 or more bulbs for a fuller spring display.
Skip the bone meal myth and use compost instead, since fresh fertilizer can rot bulbs.
Mark the planting spot with a stick so you do not dig into the bulbs later.
Wear gloves when handling bulbs and wash your hands after planting.
Questions
Can I plant tulip bulbs in spring?
You can, but they need a cold period to bloom well. Bulbs planted in spring often flower late or not at all.
How do I stop squirrels from eating the bulbs?
Cover the planted area with wire mesh or plant bulbs deeper. Squirrels usually dig where they smell freshly turned soil.
Do tulips come back every year?
Many garden tulips bloom best the first year and fade after that. Treat them as annuals or lift and store the bulbs if you want to replant.
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.
