Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs Now – Ag Matters

We may be staring straight own the barrel of fall, but now is the time to think spring flowers.  The Master Gardeners at Cornell Cooperative Extension share some tips on planting spring flowering bulbs now.
Don't Plant Too Soon
The best time to plant is after the first frost. If you buy your bulbs in person, choose the biggest bulbs. Be sure bulbs feel heavy in your hands and are not soft or have any spots on them. Don't limit yourself to buying bulbs in a store. Selections are much better if you order your bulbs from an on-line or catalog source. Plant them right away; if you can't get them into the ground immediately, store in a cool dry place until you can plant.
How Deep to Plant. As a general rule, plant the bulb at a depth equal to three times the bulb's height. You can plant deeper if you've had problems with burrowing animals.

Planting Tips
Plant the bulb with the pointed end up. Some bulbs are easy to tell which the pointed side is; however, some are more difficult. Don't worry; bulbs are amazing plants in that they will figure out how to get to the surface. Whether you dig a trench or use a bulb planting tool, always press the bulb into the soil firmly to make good soil contact and to insure that the bulb stays in place when you refill the hole. Add fertilizer by working it into the soil and water well. Don't plant in a straight line; consider interesting planting patterns.

Keeping The Critters Away
Chipmunks, squirrels, and even raccoons like to dig up bulbs. You can lay a piece of hardware cloth over the planted area and remove it in spring.

A little work now will reward you with beautiful flowers in the spring. Get more information on gardening with bulbs in this CCE Factsheet or call the Horticulture Hot Line Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00am to 12:00pm at 315-736-3394.

SOURCE: Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners