Onion flowers planted in autumnare a group of wonderful garden plants that will color our garden with their flowers from early spring. However, there are exceptions among them that will bloom in the same fall! Seehow to prepare for planting onion flowers , how to plant and at what depth and what arerequirements of individual species of onion flowers planted in autumn
Autumn planting bulb flowers - planting flower bulbs
What kind of bulb flowers do we plant in autumn?
In the fall, first of all, spring-blooming onion flowers are plantedThanks to them, from the first spring days our garden will sparkle with the colors of flowers, often before other plants start growing. The most popular of them are tulips, hyacinths, crocuses and daffodils.
However, it is also worth mentioning such wonderful and interesting species as decorative garlic with huge spherical inflorescences, scallions and checkers.
In this group of plants we can also findspecies flowering in the same fall , such as saffron - autumn crocus and autumn winter crocus.
Good to knowApart from many species that produce typical bulbs, bulbous plants also include many perennials that produce tubers and rhizomes. Therefore, as autumn planted onion flowers, they are also sold, among others, in garden lilies and peonies. Although it is not botanically correct, in stores we can look for these plants on the shelves with bulbs.
Dates of autumn planting of onion flowers
Most of the onion flowers planted in the fall and blooming the following spring, , are planted from September to October. However, as with every rule, there are exceptions to this, so it is worth knowing carefullyplanting dates for individual speciesSome of them need to be planted much earlier before the autumn calendar comes. For example, in August, bulbs of narcissus, imperial crowns and smaller checkerboards are planted. In August, wintertime and saffrons that bloom in autumn are also planted.
The planting depth of the bulbsmust be adjusted to the size of the bulbs planted. Usually,bulbs are planted 2 or 3 times the height of the onionOn light soils, flower bulbs can be planted a little deeper, and on very compact clay soils, place the bulbs higher.
Exactdates and depths of planting onion flowers planted in autumnare given in the table below. Click on the picture with the table to enlarge. Below the table you will find a link to download this table in a printable version!
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Download this table in a printable version:
- autumn onion plant planting calendar (PDF)
How to plant onion flowers in autumn
Before starting the autumn planting of onion flowers , the planting place should be properly prepared. First of all, the soil should be cleared of weeds. Ideally, weed removal should be done manually, without the use of harmful chemicals. However, if we decide to use herbicides, remember to use the herbicide at least 2-3 weeks before the planned dateplanting the onion flowers If this time interval is not used, the herbicide may damage the plants planted later.
It is also recommendedloosening and loosening the soilby digging it one spade deep (up to 30 cm). The structure and fertility of the soil should be improved by adding compost, deacidified garden peat or well-composted manure. It is also worth checking the pH of the soil, as most of the onion flowers planted in autumn grow best in neutral soils (pH 6.6 - 7.2). Therefore, it may be necessary to lime the soil (if the soil pH is too low) or to use acidifying fertilizer or acid peat if the soil pH is too high. Remember thatliming should be done at least 3 weeks before planting the bulbous flowers
After the soil is prepared, you can startplanting the bulbsThe holes for the flower bulbs can be made with a narrow spatula. A sharp pointed wooden peg will be useful for small bulbs, and a special planter will be needed when planting flower bulbs on your lawn.If you plant several small bulbs in a group, you can expose a larger piece of soil to the required depth, place the bulbs and then cover them with soil.
Flower bulbs should be planted in special baskets , which protect the bulbs from rodent attack and make it easier to find them for digging up. However, you should know that plastic baskets available in stores, unfortunately, sometimes succumb to the sharp teeth of hungry rodents, such as voles, and do not provide 100% certainty to protect the bulbs. Therefore, let us treat the baskets primarily as a way to facilitate planting and later digging up the bulbs.
Wintering of onion flowers planted in autumn
Mostautumn bulb flowersrequire winter cooling of the bulbs to bloom with the arrival of spring. That is why we put them in the ground already in the fall. Most of them, especially less frost-resistant species, should be mulched before the onset of frosts.A thick layer of peat, garden bark or branches of coniferous trees (spruce) can be used as mulch. We spread the litter only after the first frost, usually around mid-November. Too early bedding material may lure rodents looking for food unnecessarily. However, it is worth mulching, because the layer of mulch not only protects the flower bulbs planted in autumn from freezing, but also helps to keep moisture in the soil, and in spring it delays the heating of the soil, thanks to which the onion flowers will not break out too early and we will reduce the risk of damage by spring frosts.
