Tuesday, November 10, 2009

planting bulbs [no sweat!]

Planting bulbs was on my list of things to do this fall. It's time to plant bulbs when soil temperatures start dropping to 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. I love it when I start to do something and Cigar Man decides he can do it better. Hmmm...in this case it worked for me. ;=)

So, he's here to tell you his tricks of the trade. He really is an exceptional gardener. Growing up on a farm and all, it's in his blood. He says if you want to plant just a few bulbs, this drill with a bulb planting attachment works well for drilling holes.


But if you're planting 90 like we (or he) did, ...

you dig a large hole the length and width you desire about seven inches deep. I researched how big the hole should be and found out that one hundred tulips will fill a 20-square-foot bed perfectly. If you're a little rusty on your math skills like me, that might be a four feet by five feet or two feet by ten feet bed. (I'll bet you could not have lived one more second without that tidbit of information.)


It's also best to plant bulbs in a spot that gets at least six hours of sunshine a day.



After digging the hole, Cigar Man worked the ground up, mixing in 2 - 25 lb bags of potting soil and a handful of general purpose fertilizer.

He placed the bulbs evenly with the point of the bulbs up and then gently watered.

And that's about it except for covering those babies up and waiting till next spring when...

...they take your breath away! :=)

I'm sharing with others at Outdoor Wednesday.

34 comments:

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Would love to be planting bulbs, but my courtyard does not get enough sun - so post pictures in the Spring so I can enjoy yours. :)
Have a great week.
Glenda

Unknown said...

I planted a few Iris, outdoors this year, but most of my bulbs are indoor paperwhites. Did you see my Mosaic Monday post?
~Rainey~

Claudia said...

What a great post. I love spring flowers and people like you and your forsight is the reason.

THANKS!!

TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

Ebie said...

Lots of bulbs and lots of blooms in spring! Tulips is one of my favorite spring flowers!

Ebie's Outdoor Wednesday.

Shirley said...

See, I'm always going to plant bulbs in the fall and I never get around to it 'cause there's so many other things to do!! Then I'm sorry in the spring! Maybe I should go buy a few and just do it!!!!!

Blondie's Journal said...

Your bed looks much better tended to than mine!! I just planted 6 bags with about 15 bulbs in each and I like to do them in clumps. It didn't take long and it is so worth that first glance out the window in the spring and seeing some color! Whoo hoo!!

Stop by my blog, Marsha. I am having a giveaway!

xoxo
Janie

Jeanne said...

Maybe it's not too late to plant some more.... :)

from
http://www.jeanneselep.blogspot.com/

Sandy said...

Thank you so much for the idea!!

Pat's Addition said...

A big trench is the way to go with lots of bulbs. I dug 100's of my Mom's when we sold her house and moved them to VA.

Pat's Addition said...

Kilmer is from New Brunswick NJ.
He went to Rutgers College, Camp Kilmer in NJ is named for him.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Marsha, those are going to be gorgeous! I envy you growing them.

Is that a Min Pin on your sidebar? I used to have two, and they were my constant companions and B-A-D. I miss them SO much. Whoever that is over there is mighty cute!

Happy Outdoor Wednesday...

XO,

Sheila :-)

sherri@lavenderfields said...

I just love Tulips they are my favourite! Happy Outdoor Wednesday and have a wonderful week! Sherri

Simple Home said...

Wow Marsha, you can even make an old rake look pretty! Great photos, and good info too.
Blessings,
Marcia

Hootin Anni said...

Ohhhhhhhhh, how very very pretty!!!

My O W is a nearby marshland with waterfowl and Autumn colors...and a surprise L N Monster visit!!!

Come by and see

Chubskulit Rose said...

From conception to birth to bloom, fabulous!

I explored the Jogging trail this time.

eileeninmd said...

Great photos and I love the beautiful blooms. Great reward for your hard work. I would love to do a big spot in my yard. I love colors.

Anonymous said...

I just love it when the bulbs give us a beautiful taste of spring, just when we are needing to be over winter.

LV said...

When all these bloom, the hard work will have been worth it. I love flowers and work in my yard, but never plant bulbs. Digging holes is just too much.

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Aw- I loved your post! I want to plant bulbs too. I think I shall put this on my "honey do list".
Enjoy your day,
Elizabeth

Mary Bergfeld said...

Your garden will be lovely come Spring. Your photos of the planting process are terrific. Have a great Outdoor Wednesday

Carolyn Ford said...

Wow! That cluster of tulips is fabulous! I hope these new plantings produce as well! Beautiful and something to look forward to!

Ms. Bake-it said...

Great play by play! You are going to have a fantastic riot of tulips come spring! I cannot wait to see your photos of them.

~ Tracy

♥Mimi♥ said...

Can't wait to see the bulbs on your blog in the spring! I had thought that I would like to put some in this fall but now - well, looks like it won't happen. But, I can enjoy yours.

When my bulbs burst forth in the spring I consider it to be such a blessing - new life reminding us that the world must go on...

nannykim/spindlecottage said...

Nice!! They don't do real well down here.

Carly said...

very neat tutorial and great pictures! the flowers are beautiful and I like the first shot with the rake.

Maureen said...

How beautiful! I have never, ever planted bulbs.... I must get off my butt and try it!

Kat said...

This is going to be beautiful! Thanks for the tips for planting larger numbers. I can't imagine having to dig an individual hole for each bulb - yikes. Happy Outdoor Wednesday. Kathy

Hilary said...

Such a great how-to.. and I just love that first photo of the rake. It's perfect.

Inspired Comblogulations said...

Thanks for the tips... and the tulip are pretty... but only you could make a rake look fabulous!
Wonderful color and patina.
Lee

Ms.Daisy said...

I LOVE tulips (and most other bulb flowers!)I have a grouping of daffodils and they look great early in March/April. Love the look of that old rake, too.

Unknown said...

The tulips will be gorgeous in the spring, well worth the effort!

Patti @ Pandoras Box said...

I look forward to your photos in the spring...and tulips are so lovely

Tamara Jansen said...

Oh that's gonna be one pretty tulip bed :)

Robin said...

Tulips are my absolute favorite flowers. I can't wait to see your beautiful yard in the spring!

{{HUGS}}

Robin :o)