Thank you to Debbie LaGattuta from the Monmouth County Master Gardeners for a very colorful and inspiring presentation on all things related to bulbs.  Like many types of flowers, bulbs have unique requirements for planting and cultivation; when done right, their beautiful blooms can transform gardens.  Bulbs also vary in variety, making them extremely versatile and they can easily be planted in containers, raised beds, lawns, or traditional beds.  So let’s dive into the magical world of bulbs and see how they can bring new life to your garden.

Bulb Quick Facts

Bulbs are self-contained, perennial plants that use their leaves to store food and nutrients for dormant periods during the winter.  Generally, fall is the best time to plant bulbs, from late September through November when the soil temperature drops consistently below 70 degrees.   During this time, bulbs will develop their roots before the ground freezes.

Most bulbs are pest free, meaning that animals will not eat their stalks or flowers.  Deer will eat tulips, but not many other types of bulbs because of potentially harmful toxins or odors that are natural repellants.  Rodents, such as squirrels, voles, and chipmunks will dig up shallow-planted bulbs so be wary and protect your bulbs in the ground by using chicken wire or hardware cloth over the bulbs before covering them in soil.

Purchasing Bulbs

Like other plants, you can purchase bulbs from grower or vendor catalogs and websites; popular ones include Longfield Gardens, Colorblends and John Scheeper’s Beauty from Bulbs.  Generally, you will have the best selection whether you are looking for traditional or hybrid variants and these places store and deliver the bulbs at the right time to ensure their health.

You can also purchase pre-packaged bulbs from retail stores.  However, your choice may be limited and they may be available for sale long before they should be planted, which can cause issues in the quality of the bulb.  You may also find loose bulbs at gardening shows and other events; when in doubt, always pick the largest and heaviest bulbs as these are indicators of good health and heartiness.

When you get your bulbs, make sure that they are plumb and firm; be sure to discard any that are damaged, soft, or have mold.  Be sure to store your bulbs in cool, dry conditions until the time is right to plant them.

Planting Bulbs

Whether you are planting in a garden or in a container, be sure that the soil is loose, well-drained, loamy, and moist; soggy soil and poor drainage can cause the bulbs to rot easily.  If you have heavy clay soil, add some compost to loosen it.  You can dig a hole using a shovel, bulb planter, dibber, or augur and make sure the pointy side of the bulb is up; if you cannot find the pointy part of the bulb, plant it sideways.  Be sure to dig the hole 2-3 times the height of the bulb; if the bulb is 2 inches in diameter, the hold should be at least 4inches deep, closer to 6 inches.

When planting the bulbs, here are some other considerations:

• Read the packaging regarding spacing
• Only use a sprinkling of fertilizer in the Spring and scratch it into the surface
• Water liberally at planting time to trigger the root growth, then let nature handle the moisture afterwards
• Apply a 3 inch layer of mulch after the soil freezes to prevent bulbs from “heaving” out of the ground during each successive freeze and thaw

If you are planting large bulbs, generally plant in groups of 12 or an odd number.  For smaller bulbs, plant in groups of 24.  Why groups?  Well, they look better and they are easier to dig up if you need to move them or get rid of any damaged or dying bulbs.  Don’t plant in a single file along a walkway or boarder; you won’t get the maximum effect of the plants!

If you are planting in a container, make sure the container has drainage holes; bulbs hate being soaked!  Add slightly moist potting mix to a level about 6-8 inches from the top of the container.  Then, sprinkle some fertilizer and mix into the soil before placing the bulbs on top; it is OK to overcrowd in the container.  Gently cover the bulbs with potting soil up to the top of the container and water enough to settle the soil, ensuring the water is reaching the bulbs.  If you are feeling adventurous, you can layer small bulbs on top of larger ones, which can create a wonderful visual and extend the blooming period of the container.

Once planted, be sure to leave outdoors and by mid-December, move into an unheated garage or shed; if that is not possible, store outdoors in a south-facing, protected location.  Water sparingly, about once per month, just to keep the soil slightly moist.  You can also cover the container in netting or hardware cloth to prevent critters from digging them up.

Gardening with Bulbs

Bulbs can serve many different functions in a garden so have an understanding of what you want to accomplish before planting them.  For example, have a color scheme in mind; bulbs can be great at color shading or complimenting other colors in your garden.  In fact, if you have a small space, stick to one color as it will make the space look bigger.  If you have a larger space, try planting in groups of 2 or 3 colors.  If you want inspiration, you can look at a color wheel for ideas.

You can also create depth or different bloom cycles for your garden based on the bulbs you choose to plant.  Bulbs generally have 3 bloom cycles, all in the Spring – Early (March), Mid (April) and Late (May).  By choosing the right combination of bulbs, you can ensure a long blooming period of bulbs in your garden.

Location in the garden is key to ensuring healthy and productive bulb blooms.  Most bulbs need full sun, 6-8 hours a day and should be planted in loamy, well-drained soil, as mentioned above.  Another consideration when choosing where to plant your bulbs is to make sure you can see them from inside your house.  You also want to plant them where the foliage die-back will be hidden as this can make you garden look sickly and unkept.

There are also some considerations regarding care and maintenance to remember when gardening with bulbs.  Do not water bulbs while they are in bloom.  Be sure to deadhead or remove faded blooms on major bulbs.  Let the foliage ripen naturally, which can take 8-10 weeks, sometimes longer, after the bloom fades; wait until it is completely brown before removing.  If you are experiencing fewer blooms with your bulbs, they may be overcrowded.  Dig and lift the bulbs after the foliage dies, separate them, and then remove any that do not look good.

More Information

If you would like more information regarding gardening with bulbs, please check out the Rutgers Fact Sheet on bulbs.  You can also download a copy of Debbie’s handout as well as a list of bulb names for reference.  If you have any questions, please contact the Monmouth County Master Gardeners at master.gardeners@co.monmouth.nj.us.