Fall Garden Chores For Spring Flowering Bulbs
By Ed Rooney, Fri Dec 9th
As the school busses begin to rumble down the road again we arereminded that the gardening season is drawing to a close. Forthe gardener with an eye toward next spring, however, the seasonstill promises plenty to be done in preparation of a showyspring to come. Early fall is the time when we should beplanting our bulbs.
Good soil drainage is paramount for spring-blooming bulbsuccess. If you have a mostly clay soil be sure to mix inorganic material such as compost to lighten the soil. The soilpH should be between 6 and 7. If you need assistance indetermining your soil pH or in discovering how to manage itslevel refer to your local agricultural extension service forhelp.
Spring flowering bulbs are great for beds, in borders, and inrock gardens. These early risers prefer to be planted in areaswhich will not receive direct sunlight during the midday,especially once the hot summer months roll back around.
Wait until soil temperatures are below 60 F (16 C) beforeplanting. If you purchase your bulbs before the cold season setsin you may keep them in your refrigerator until the soil hascooled sufficiently. The fall planting ensures the bulbs willhave adequate opportunity
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