Planting bulbs

When arranging the garden, be sure to include a bed with bulbs. The term bulbous plant covers not only plants whose underground part is onion, but also plants with root tubers and rhizomes. The choice of various varieties and species is very large and there is something suitable for every type of garden. See how to doplanting bulbsand when to plant bulbs.

Planting bulbs

When to plant bulbs

Summer flowering bulbsare planted from the beginning to mid-spring (usually from mid-April to May).These are mainly species that are too sensitive to low temperatures (therefore they cannot remain in the ground for winter). During this period, among others, dahlias (georgina) and gladioli (gladiolus). In order to speed up the flowering period, the bulbs of some species can also be planted in a frost-free room in March and planted outside from the second half of May. For example, begonias are grown in this way.
From August to September,late autumn flowering bulbssuch as fall winter crocus, saffron (autumn crocus) or merendera plants are planted.
Spring-flowering bulbsare planted from September to October, although some of them, such as narcissi and imperial crowns, may already be planted at the end of August. Dry onions, i.e. those that we buy while dormant, should be planted as soon as possible after purchase. Although most bulbs are kept dry, there are exceptions - some species that like a shaded and moist place are stored in slightly damp bark or in peat.Be careful when buying bulbs - buy only bulbs from proven sources. Avoid onions that are soft, with spots or discoloration, onions without covering scales, as well as wilted or dry onions.

When we choose the onions in the garden shop, we can easily take a look at them and check if they do not have the above-mentioned shortcomings. But what if we decide to order flower bulbs online? Then let's choose a proven, reputable seller with a good opinion. You can certainly take advantage of the offer of stores that have been cooperating with the editors of our guide for several years.

Plants that traders did not sell at dormancy are often planted in pots. If we buy plants in pots, we can plant them immediately after purchase, throughout the season, or keep them in a pot until the above-ground part is dry, and then treat them as dry bulbs. The drawback of buying bulbs in pots is their usually higher price.

Rabata planted with bulb flowers

Preparation of soil for planting bulbs

Before planting bulbs, weeds should be removed, especially those that are permanent, such as thistle or couch grass. We destroy weeds mechanically or with herbicides. A necessary procedure is also digging and then leveling the soil.
The substrate for which the bulbs are to be planted should be neutral or slightly alkaline, not too firm, sandy-clay, rich in humus. If you find that the soil is too heavy and clayey - add peat, shredded bark, brown coal or sand. In turn, the soil that is too light, sandy, should first of all be enriched with humus using de-acidified garden peat or compost. Before planting bulbs, mix with the soil a multi-component mineral fertilizer, such as Azofoska.Of course, soil requirements of individual species are different.For example, tulips require fertile, deeply cultivated soil with a neutral pH. Before planting, it is recommended to apply phosphorus fertilizers (5-8 dag / m²).
Lilies, in turn, are planted in fertile, humus, well-drained and moist soil. Most species require an acidic substrate with a pH of 5.5-6.5. Therefore, it is worth adding non-acidified high peat peat before digging the bed.
When choosing a place to grow bulbs, it is also worth paying attention to planting them in different places of the garden every year. Such a procedure will significantly reduce the risk of infestation of bulbs by diseases or pests attacking this group of plants.

Planting bulbs into the ground

The planting depth of the bulbsdepends on their size. Usually we plant the bulbs at a depth of 2-3 times their height (on very light soils a little deeper). The spacing between the bulbs should be about 2 - 3 bulbs wide. It is recommended to plant the bulbs a few at a time in a larger pit dug with a spade.The area with bulbs is not marked, nor are they planted symmetrically, as it would look unnatural. Once you've cleared the soil to the desired depth, it's a good idea to dig in some bone meal and then place the onions. If we cannot distinguish where the top of the onion is and where the bottom is, then it's best to plant it on its side. Then we cover the bulbs with soil, breaking its lumps and kneading lightly to remove any air spaces around the bulbs. In a rock garden, remove the top layer of gravel before planting the bulbs, and then sprinkle the gravel again after planting is complete.

To prevent bulbs from being dug up by voles and other rodents, you can grow them in plastic openwork baskets or boxes, buried in the ground. When it is time to dig out the bulbs from the ground, we will also be sure that we have dug out all the bulbs.
After planting the plants, cover the soil with peat or shredded bark. Such mulch will protect the soil against moisture loss and limit the growth of weeds. Additionally, in the case of onions planted in the fall, a thicker layer of mulch will reduce soil freezing.

Planting bulbs for pots under covers

Growing most bulbs in pots under covers is quite easy, as the growing conditions can be precisely adjusted to the plant's needs. Onions can be planted in both clay and plastic pots. Clay pots are more suitable for plants that cannot tolerate excess moisture, because the substrate dries faster in them after watering than in plastic pots. Plastic pots are widely used nowadays - they are ideal for species that require more moisture, and in the case of plants that do not tolerate excess moisture, they will also work well if we fill them with a very permeable substrate and water less often.
The method of planting bulbs in pots is identical to planting in the ground. Bulbs are planted in pots at a similar depth, and if this is not possible for larger bulbs, we must provide them with a layer of moist substrate underneath, at least 3 cm thick.After placing them in the pot, cover the bulbs with soil and press it down well. Sprinkling the ground with gravel will help retain moisture and improve the appearance of the pot. Watering is not necessary until the substrate is dry. Restarting watering is necessary when root growth begins.