Fall Bulbs

FALL is a great time to get Spring-flowering bulbs in the ground, and there is a really cool little contraption that can help you out with that. Called a "Dibber," they come in various sizes, but they all do the same thing: Punch a hole in the ground so you don't have to spend so much time digging.

Of course, this nifty little tool will only save you time if your soil is already fairly well worked, so don't expect it to perform miracles in your red clay!


Remember your bulb basics:

• Work the soil 12-18 inches deep. Make sure there is plenty of organic material such as peat or compost. You want a nice moisture holding, but free-draining planting medium.
• At the time of planting, mix in a small amount of slow-release, balanced fertilizer (10-10-10). Don't go too heavy on the phosphorous and potassium. Bone meal has historically been a good addition to the planting bed. Mix the fertilizer into the soil below the bulb.
• Bulbs like a soil pH of 6-7. 
• Plant at the proper depth! Planting depth is measured from the base of the bulb. If you do not have planting instructions for your specific bulbs, generally assume the depth should be 2-3 times the height of the bulb (a 2" tall bulb will be planted 4-6 inches deep).
• Make sure you are orienting the bulbs correctly! Root plate down and growing tip up.
• When done planting, water well and apply mulch.