Fall gardening - planting bulbs

[Faithr]

Every year I tell myself I am going to fill in the big blank spaces in my front garden with lots of bulbs (daffodils, irises, tulips)  This year I am really, really, really determined!  I'd like to have flowers blooming as long as possible.  Anyone done this and learned a thing or two you'd like to share?  What types did you plant?  Any tidbits of advice?  I am hoping next weekend will be devoted to this little project.  I gotta get moving!

[Elizabeth 2]

Timeline the types you would like to use and then use graph paper to plan out how to intersperse them. 

 

Biggest rule of thumb is six weeks before last frost to make sure they have a sufficient root system developed before frost.   My experience is in the PNW, which doesn't translate to most of the rest of the U.S. I don't remember the last time I had to scrape my windshield while living there. XD

 

This link was where I got started, and it worked really well.  Including a chart of types and blooming times. 

 

http://www.almanac.com/content/fall-bulb-planting-spring-blooms 

 

Have fun!

[Happy]

I'm in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

 

I have daffodils through out the flowerbeds. I plant about this time of year--all the way to the beginning of November depending on weather. Now is better.

One key is to plant a bunch of bulbs in bunches throughout a bed--clumps rather than rows, if you know what I mean.

 

The hardest thing for me is to remember where the bulbs are after the foliage dies back. (Yes, you want those green tops to naturally fade before cutting off.) I've been known to dig in an area where bulbs are sleeping and disturb their rest. No real answer for that except to remember better. I used to keep a garden journal, but no longer do.

 

Here the smaller the bulbs the better they do over the years. The big bags of bulbs you get at the big box stores will produce a great display the first year or two, then gradually fade.

 

Tulips in our area do not get enough cold soaking to bloom correctly. I buy tulips and put them in the extra fridge for at least 45 days--no ripening fruit can be with them. Traditionally I plant them in middle to late December. They will bloom by middle to late February and into March, depending on type.These days I do it the easy way and fill up 6 or 8 large pots--more probably. I just bought 200 bulbs. It's easier to play with potting soil than to dig in cold clay flowerbeds. I can also keep the pots on my south facing back porch where they do lots better---a few get moved to the frigid front porch at the last minute. Because I consider them annuals as soon as the bloom is done on the tulips, they get pulled.

 

Hyacinths do well for me in a large pot for two or three years. I keep the pot near my back porch so I can fully enjoy the amazing scent when they bloom.

 

[Carol in Cal.]

Make sure you know how tall they will grow and don't have the tall ones block the short ones.

Bearded irises grow VERY tall for me, around 4 feet.

Daffodils are about 18 inches.

Crocus not even 6 inches.

[Faithr]

Thanks, all!  I am in Northern VA, Zone 7.  I've read conflicting things.  Some say we can plant up to 11/15 but the first frost is usually 10/15, so I am pushing up pretty close to that.  

 

I wound up running to the garden center while my dd was at her math tutor.  I got 6 allium giganteum bulbs to plant behind the other flowers but in front of the bushes by the house.  I also got 40 wild flower tulip mix bulbs.  I got those because they said deer resistant.  We have so many deer around here, you really have to think about what they will and will not eat.  And I got 36 yellow daffodil bulbs.  I probably could use more to fill things in.  I don't know how much time/stamina I'll actually have for this adventure.  I still want to get some lily bulbs but I didn't see any at the store.

 

I think I'll lay out where I want to plant them and then take a photo and use that for reference when I need to dig and don't want to disturb the sleeping bulbs.

 

Anyway, thanks again for the input!

[Spryte]

Thanks, all!  I am in Northern VA, Zone 7.  I've read conflicting things.  Some say we can plant up to 11/15 but the first frost is usually 10/15, so I am pushing up pretty close to that.  

 

I wound up running to the garden center while my dd was at her math tutor.  I got 6 allium giganteum bulbs to plant behind the other flowers but in front of the bushes by the house.  I also got 40 wild flower tulip mix bulbs.  I got those because they said deer resistant.  We have so many deer around here, you really have to think about what they will and will not eat.  And I got 36 yellow daffodil bulbs.  I probably could use more to fill things in.  I don't know how much time/stamina I'll actually have for this adventure.  I still want to get some lily bulbs but I didn't see any at the store.

 

I think I'll lay out where I want to plant them and then take a photo and use that for reference when I need to dig and don't want to disturb the sleeping bulbs.

 

Anyway, thanks again for the input!

 

Happy Planting!  I'm in No VA, same zone.  And trying to figure out the best time to plant, too.  DH brought home 100 tulips from Amsterdam last week, and the lady there insisted that we plant in Nov, no earlier, but I usually put them in sometime this month.

 

Do you have squirrels?  Last year, the squirrels got some of our bulbs.  I'm just taking our chances again, but we may have Dutch-speaking squirrels again this year.  :)

[gaillardia]

Do any of you use chicken wire over top of the bulbs before putting the soil back on them to keep squirrels from digging them up? 

Some say their squirrels love the tulips, others say only daffodils, no matter, something wants to eat them.

Those darn Dutch squirrels!

[Elizabeth 2]

I have used chicken wire, but I've also used cheap chili powder dusted all over to keep the animals out. One time on each of my beds and they never dig there. The smell alone keeps them away.

[Faithr]

We do have squirrels and I think the voles also like them.   I wonder if deer resistant also means vole resistant?  I like the idea of the chili powder.  That sounds easy to do.  

[Little Nyssa]

Thanks, all! I am in Northern VA, Zone 7. I've read conflicting things. Some say we can plant up to 11/15 but the first frost is usually 10/15, so I am pushing up pretty close to that.

 

I wound up running to the garden center while my dd was at her math tutor. I got 6 allium giganteum bulbs to plant behind the other flowers but in front of the bushes by the house. I also got 40 wild flower tulip mix bulbs. I got those because they said deer resistant. We have so many deer around here, you really have to think about what they will and will not eat. And I got 36 yellow daffodil bulbs. I probably could use more to fill things in. I don't know how much time/stamina I'll actually have for this adventure. I still want to get some lily bulbs but I didn't see any at the store.

 

I think I'll lay out where I want to plant them and then take a photo and use that for reference when I need to dig and don't want to disturb the sleeping bulbs.

 

Anyway, thanks again for the input!

Where we live, (PNW) deer will eat up tulips. I think it's their favorite food! I only plant them in window boxes now- they do look kind of striking there. Good luck!

[MomsintheGarden]

Biggest rule of thumb is six weeks before last frost to make sure they have a sufficient root system developed before frost.  

 

This should be "before first frost."  The last frost occurs in the spring in temperate regions, and the first frost occurs in the fall.

 

I admire you all for planning ahead!  The only bulbs I plant are garlic and perennial onions.  I did buy 11 mums last November for $1/each. Five survived and became huge this summer; they're covered with buds and blooms.  The rest of my flower gardens are full of various perennials that I've started from seed or gotten cheaply from master gardener sales, or with cottage garden annuals that plant themselves like marigolds, four o'clocks, hollyhocks, zinnias, celosia, balsam impatience, etc.  Something's always blooming from spring to fall, but it's pretty unplanned.

[Elizabeth 2]

 

This should be "before first frost." The last frost occurs in the spring in temperate regions, and the first frost occurs in the fall

 

Ha! Yes! Thank you for correcting that. Plant six weeks before first frost. Mental note: make fingers work slower than brain.

 

Edited because note to brain didn't work.

Edited October 1, 2016 by Elizabeth 2

[Elizabeth 2]

We do have squirrels and I think the voles also like them. I wonder if deer resistant also means vole resistant? I like the idea of the chili powder. That sounds easy to do.

I will say, this washes away with a rain, and it does take a fair amount. Buy in bulk at Winco for cheap, and dust over the beds early in the morning when you are expected to have a few days of no/minimal rain.

[madteaparty]

Thanks, all! I am in Northern VA, Zone 7. I've read conflicting things. Some say we can plant up to 11/15 but the first frost is usually 10/15, so I am pushing up pretty close to that.

 

I wound up running to the garden center while my dd was at her math tutor. I got 6 allium giganteum bulbs to plant behind the other flowers but in front of the bushes by the house. I also got 40 wild flower tulip mix bulbs. I got those because they said deer resistant. We have so many deer around here, you really have to think about what they will and will not eat. And I got 36 yellow daffodil bulbs. I probably could use more to fill things in. I don't know how much time/stamina I'll actually have for this adventure. I still want to get some lily bulbs but I didn't see any at the store.

 

I think I'll lay out where I want to plant them and then take a photo and use that for reference when I need to dig and don't want to disturb the sleeping bulbs.

 

Anyway, thanks again for the input!

You must have time, because I'm in zone 5 and my large bulb order (from a mail order co that does nothing but bulbs) is not shipping until this week.

I plan to plant along a stone wall. I also have little "islands" we don't mow and I plan to throw down some wildflower seed along with bulbs in those because I don't have the patience for a well-planned bed there, so I hope from the perennial wildflowers and bulbs something emerges :) Mostly got some deer resistant bulbs like daffodils and allium but also some tulips--for the latter, I will experiment planting deep in the garden beds like I read a blogger recommend (deeper than veggies would go I guess). Also star of Jerusalem bc my grandma grew this. People hate it bc it spreads. I have the space, please spread ;)

Edited October 2, 2016 by madteaparty

[madteaparty]

This should be "before first frost." The last frost occurs in the spring in temperate regions, and the first frost occurs in the fall.

 

I admire you all for planning ahead! The only bulbs I plant are garlic and perennial onions. I did buy 11 mums last November for $1/each. Five survived and became huge this summer; they're covered with buds and blooms. The rest of my flower gardens are full of various perennials that I've started from seed or gotten cheaply from master gardener sales, or with cottage garden annuals that plant themselves like marigolds, four o'clocks, hollyhocks, zinnias, celosia, balsam impatience, etc. Something's always blooming from spring to fall, but it's pretty unplanned.

I'm a very disorganized gardener but I love that because I'm always surprised and awed in the springâ¤ï¸.

I do prioritize perennials and roses so I can save my limited attention span to plant food. To that end, I always plant garlic and it actually works for me! Tell me about the perennial onions! Decorative like allium?

Also, mums are perennials? I can throw the potted ones into the ground? Humph. More holes to dig...

[MomsintheGarden]

I'm a very disorganized gardener but I love that because I'm always surprised and awed in the springâ¤ï¸.

...

Tell me about the perennial onions! Decorative like allium?

Also, mums are perennials? I can throw the potted ones into the ground? Humph. More holes to dig...

I absolutely love being surprised with perennials and self-seeders! I do not grow any purely ornamental alliums, but the flowers on my chives and garlic chives are quite pretty.

 

I grow potato and walking onions from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. Potato onions are small-medium bulbs that reproduce by making baby bulbs, like shallots, which I also grow. You usually divide and replant them.

 

Walking onions are also called Welsh or Egyption onions and are usually grown for their green tops. Their reproduction is pretty unique. In late spring they send up a 2' high stalk which grows small bulbils at its top. When the bulbils are ripe, the stalk dies, falls over, and lies on the ground. The bulbils then grow in the new location, and thus the onions "walk" to a new place.

 

I also grow ramps, but I only have a very small, slow-growing patch. I want to get some perennial leeks next.

[madteaparty]

I absolutely love being surprised with perennials and self-seeders! I do not grow any purely ornamental alliums, but the flowers on my chives and garlic chives are quite pretty.

 

I grow potato and walking onions from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. Potato onions are small-medium bulbs that reproduce by making baby bulbs, like shallots, which I also grow. You usually divide and replant them.

 

Walking onions are also called Welsh or Egyption onions and are usually grown for their green tops. Their reproduction is pretty unique. In late spring they send up a 2' high stalk which grows small bulbils at its top. When the bulbils are ripe, the stalk dies, falls over, and lies on the ground. The bulbils then grow in the new location, and thus the onions "walk" to a new place.

 

I also grow ramps, but I only have a very small, slow-growing patch. I want to get some perennial leeks next.

Fascinating. Almost anything I cook has onion, leeks and or garlic, but I don't have a green thumb so the easy to grow stuff, like garlic and potatoes and basil, gives me small victories ;) I wouldn't know how to divide and such. Will look into this stuff, thanks!

[Spryte]

Oh! Speaking of mums, our Costco got some beautiful ones in, and the prices were excellent for our area.

 

If you put them in before the first frost here, they winter over. i think we trim them back on Dec 1 and April 1.

[MomsintheGarden]

Oh! Speaking of mums, our Costco got some beautiful ones in, and the prices were excellent for our area.

 

If you put them in before the first frost here, they winter over. i think we trim them back on Dec 1 and April 1.

I have read about cutting mums back in the book, The Well-Tended Perennial Garden, by DiSabato-Aust. This year I just let my new mums grow, and the got so big they 'split' and don't look as nice. How does trimming them work for you? What is your zone?

[zaichiki]

Can I plant lilies and tulips together at this time of year?  (northeast)

 

[Spryte]

I'm in 7a. I trim them almost to the ground on Dec 1, and April 1. The April trim is hard for me to do, honestly. But - They are huge, and no splitting. I was pretty excited about the trimming - I just learned to do it two years ago, from the man selling them for the Lion's Club. :)

[Faithr]

I want to plant mums too!  We got married in November and the only flowers that didn't cost an arm and a leg were mums.  So that was our wedding flower.  We just put pots of mums everywhere (we were on a strict budget!).  I really love the bronze ones, the deep reds and the yellow all together.    But what do mums look like the rest of the year?  

[Faithr]

Can I plant lilies and tulips together at this time of year?  (northeast)

Could you find lily bulbs?  I haven't been able to.  I do think you plant them in the fall as well.  They need lots of sun whereas tulips can be in partial shade (but not too shady).  

[MomsintheGarden]

I want to plant mums too! We got married in November and the only flowers that didn't cost an arm and a leg were mums. So that was our wedding flower. We just put pots of mums everywhere (we were on a strict budget!). I really love the bronze ones, the deep reds and the yellow all together. But what do mums look like the rest of the year?

Here in zone 6b, they will survive the first few frosts, then they die after a hard freeze. The dead branches need to be cut in winter or early spring before the plants grow back from the roots. They grow to be nice green shrublike plants until they bloom if you prune them back in spring or early summer. I didn't prune mine so they got too big, then they flopped and looked like they had "split" in the middle. They are blooming prolifically right now.

[zaichiki]

Could you find lily bulbs?  I haven't been able to.  I do think you plant them in the fall as well.  They need lots of sun whereas tulips can be in partial shade (but not too shady).  

I have a bunch... and the holes have been dug... but I am currently making anti-mole "chicken wire" cages in which to plant them because we apparently live in the middle of a mole civilization and they have DEVASTATED my gardens this year.  :(

[KungFuPanda]

I'm in central MD.  My house came with daffodils and crocuses.  They take care of themselves and don't mind the shade.  I've planted tulip bulbs, but they don't do as well and have to be planted each year.