Many flowers that grow from a bulb, such as crocuses, tulips and daffodils, need to be planted in the fall. The offer in the garden trade is huge: In addition to cultivated forms, you can also get wild forms and rarities in rare colors. But only if the bulbs are properly placed in the ground can you count on a rich bloom in the spring.

Flower bulbs are planted in autumn

Use fresh flower bulbs

Take a close look at the flower bulbs: the conditioned, dry air in many specialist markets and frequent handling are not always good for the bulbs. If the nodules feel soft or even begin to drift, you should refrain from buying them. The nodules have then already used up part of your nutrient supply and flowering will be rather sparse.

Which location is the right one?

Almost all bulbous flowers prefer a place in the garden, where they are caressed by the rays of the spring sun. If the variety is also suitable for partially shaded locations, this is noted on the packaging. It is usually also there whether the chosen flower is suitable for release into the wild or whether you have to get the bulb out of the ground in autumn.

plant flower bulbs

The setting is actually quite simple:

  • The planting hole must be twice as deep as the flower bulb is tall.
  • You don't have to measure this, because many bulb flowers regulate the optimal depth themselves with pull roots.
  • To prevent the bulbs from rotting, you should put a drainage layer in the planting hole in compacted and loamy soil.
  • Nutrient-rich substrate allows for a good start.
  • Always insert flower bulbs with the tip upwards and only gently press into the ground.
  • Cover the onions with humus-rich soil and press down lightly.

The planting distance for larger onions should be about eight centimeters, for small onions three to five centimeters are sufficient. If the soil is dry, you should water the flower bulbs, as moisture promotes root formation.

And what happens after flowering?

Do not cut off the leaves immediately, but let them dry slowly. This is the only way for the onion to store the nutrients that are important for the next flowering season. However, everything that has faded can be cut off.

Whether you leave the bulbs in the ground or dig them up depends on whether you intend to release the flowers or replant them annually. Both variants are possible.

tips

Sometimes it is difficult to find the faded bulbs again. Just snap a cellphone photo of the blooming splendor in spring. This makes it much easier to find the bulbs and you can see immediately where to find the nodules or where to put more bulbs in the ground.

Category:

Vegetable garden