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The Planting of Bulbs

Soil Requirements The soil requirements are simple, as practically all bulbs will do well in any good, well-drained garden loam. They prefer a sandy loam rather than a soil of heavier type, and good drainage is essential. Fresh manure should never be used in garden beds where bulbs are to be planted. Very well rotted manure, rich compost, and leaf mould may all be used with good results, however, and an application of bone meal is also excellent, it being considered the best of all bulb fertilizers.

Time of Planting It is important that bulbs be planted early enough in the autumn to make adequate root-growth before winter sets in. Many failures are the result of late planting. The different species vary somewhat in the time required for the making of this root growth. Narcissus should be planted in late September, crocuses, snowdrops, squills, and hyacinths early in October, and tulips toward the latter part of October or early in November. The depth of planting varies considerably, according to the size of the bulbs. An excellent general rule to follow is to place the bulb at a depth of two times its diameter. A handful of sand should be placed in the bottom of the hole, in order to facilitate drainage and to keep the bulb from rotting near the base during a long rainy spell. Care should be taken to set the bulb firmly in the bottom of the hole, so that no air pockets may be left beneath it, cutting off its connection with the soil. This is particularly liable to happen where bulbs are being planted in large quantities for naturalization, as the work is then apt to be done hurriedly and with too little care. After the ground is thoroughly frozen a light winter protection should be given.