Bulbs are easy to plant and care for and require little water. All of the bulbs below are also deer resistant.  You can plant them with impunity, knowing that they’ll be there for you in the Spring.

Lillies

Fall is the time to plant many bulbs in your garden.  They will grow over the winter and flower in the Spring. Here are a few easy tips for getting those beauties in the ground. Some of the easiest to grow and care for are Narcissus and Daffodils, Crocus and Dutch Iris.

Plant bulbs in well-draining soil. Generally, the best soil is a sandy loam. Do not plant bulbs shallow! Follow the instructions for planting depths and sunlight requirements. Flower bulbs prefer neutral pH soil. Please do not ever add horse manure, mushroom compost or other “hot” manure or compost to your flower bulb beds.

Loosen up the soil and add well aged compost (click to enlarge)

Loosen your soil and add amendments. I move some rocks to the side, but leave the rest for drainage. Then lay out your bulbs on the surface so you can see where they will go.  I like to have mine in a natural setting, not lined up like little soldiers.  I mixed Crocus and Narcissus in the same bed, the short and the tall together.

Firm the bulbs into the soil so that they make good contact with the dirt. The larger bulbs, like the Narcissus, need to be planted with a trowel so that you can get them to the proper depth of 5 – 7  inches. In colder climates, plant deeper, in warmer climates you can plant them a little shallower.

Crocus bulb, plant with the root end down

Narcissus, root down, growing point up when you plant

Crocus and Narcissus mixed flowering bed

Crocus naturalized in a meadow