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Garden bulbs are a great way to get color in your garden year after year without having to replant. But many people are intimidated by planting and caring for bulbs, and never get to experience these great flowering plants. These easy tips for planting garden bulbs will show you there is nothing to fear and have you planting your first bulb garden in no time!

Most bulb plants are actually rather hardy and planting them is quite easy. All it takes is a bit of planning and being able to follow the directions on the bulb package. As is the way of nature, your bulbs will really put in an effort to bloom so you really have to screw up to get them to fail.

The most important thing to do to ensure good blooming plants is to read the package. On there you will find the depth that the bulb needs to be planted. This is important because each type of flower likes to be put in at a different depth. As a general rule of thumb, the bigger the bulb the deeper the hole. Usually you will find the directions telling you to plant 3 times as deep as the bulb or 4 times as deep. Each bulb is different so follow the directions for best results.

Another important thing is not to skimp when digging the hole. Be prepared to dig out anywhere from 5 to 10″. It helps to have a good digging tool and to pick a spot where the soil is loose and not full of roots. Loosen up some of the oil around the bulb and plant it with the pointy part up. Of course, it’s not obvious in all bulbs which part is the pointy part but don’t panic if you can’t tell. Just do your best and nature will take over and usually get the flower growing in the right direction.

If you buy bulbs ahead of time, store them in a cool dry place and keep them in the package until you are actually digging the hole for them. This way you will be able to tell which bulbs you are planting. If you take them out, you might get confused as to which is the tulip and which is the daffodil as many bulbs can look amazingly similar.

Most bulbs like to be planted in full sun and always in soil with good drainage. It’s a good idea to decide on where you will be planting the bulbs before you buy them so you know how many to get. You don’t want them to be overcrowded at fist as they will multiply over time. Be sure to read the package to determine how far apart they should be planted and the optimum conditions for the type of flower you are planting.

Preparing the soil is another important step in planting bulbs. You want to loosen the soil in the bulb hole and mix in some compost or organic matter. Don’t put fertilizer in the hole as this can damage the young roots and it is not necessary - your plant has all the nutrients it needs right inside the bulb!

Place the bulb in the hole and cover loosely with dirt. Dig a shallow moat around the bulb and water thoroughly so that the moat is full. Let the moat drain then fill in the rest of the soil and pack lightly. Give it a final thorough watering and you’re done!

Planning your bulb garden is important for antithetic purposes. Put the taller bulbs in back and the shorter ones in front. If you have a garden that can be viewed from all sides then put the taller bulbs in the middle. Since most bulbs only bloom for a few weeks, you need to include bulbs with all different bloom times in your garden. Buy bulbs that bloom in early spring, late spring, early summer and late summer and plant them all in the same area for color all season long. You can plant them next to each other or even in the same hole. If you time things perfectly, you will have one plant starting to bloom as another is ending.

Keeping your bulbs healthy and vibrant is easy. Remember to water them per instructions and fertilize them yearly. When your flower is done blooming, do not remove the leaves until they have turned brown - the green leaves are gathering nutrients to be stored in the bulb for next years flower!

Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.backyard-garden-and-patio.com where you can get more great gardening tips

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Spring flower bulb planting in the fall is fast, easy and a nearly foolproof way to add color to your garden. By following a few simple steps you should enjoy your spring and summer bulb garden for years to come. Here are a few basic guidelines. Spring flowering bulbs need to be planted in the fall before the first hard freeze. Subsequent cold weather will sustain the bulbs’ dormancy period required to stimulate root growth and spring flowering. If you have purchased your bulbs early in the fall it is ok to store them unpackaged in a cool dry place between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit for a few days. For extended periods store them in your refrigerator, but keep them away from ripening fruit as the ethylene released by the fruit can damage your bulbs. When planning a new bulb garden site keep in mind the following:

• Mass or cluster plantings in round or curved shapes create the best color impact.
• Bulbs do not like “wet feet”.
• Make sure the area you are planting has good soil drainage. Do not plant in areas where the soil stays constantly damp. Make sure the area gets plenty of the sunlight in the spring.
• Read the label or planting guide supplied with the bulbs. Many varieties of bulbs will be taller than others, so it is important to plant the shorter ones in the front of the bed.

Prepare your flowerbed by spading or roto-tilling to a depth of 8-10 inches. If you have sandy soil it is a good idea to mix in some compost, shredded leaves or peat moss. For heavy, clay soils, the addition of coarse sand or peat moss will improve drainage. Once the soil is ready for planting, follow these guidelines when planting your bulbs:

• Refer to your planting guide to determine proper planting depth and spacing for each type of bulb. If no information is available a general guideline is to plant a bulb 3 times as deep as its diameter. By varying your planting depth a little you can get bulbs of the same variety to flower at different times instead of all at once.
• Make a hole for the bulb using a trowel, shovel or with the handle of a garden tool. Place the bulb pointed side up firmly in the bottom of the hole and gently cover the bulb with soil.
• Cottage Farms always recommends mulching immediately since mulch shades and cools the soil, helps prevent weeds and provides organic matter for the soil.
• Water your bulbs in thoroughly the day of planting. If the fall or winter is very dry, an occasional watering would be helpful. During the growing season make sure they receive at least 1-inch of rain or equivalent watering per week.

When your bulbs start actively growing in the spring it is recommended to fertilize every two to three weeks with a water soluble fertilizer like Cottage Farms’ Bud-N-Bloom Booster. Such feeding should be done in early spring / summer to promote flowering and superior bulb growth. After your bulbs have bloomed and the petals really begin to fade you may want to remove the flower spike to prevent seeding (which takes away nutrients needed for next year blooms). Allow the leaves to die back and dry up before removing. This is an essential part of a bulbs life cycle in preparation of winter dormancy and next year’s growth.

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