Bright ideas on how to plant bulbs

Bulbs. The magic secret to spring colours all over your garden. Some might think they are only for expert gardeners, and if you want instant gratification, then perhaps they are not the best idea for you, however a little bit of work early in the year before winter begins can mean amazing rewards come springtime in September.

Planting bulbs is simple. But before you start, be sure the chosen spot has good, well-draining soil. Bulbs rot in soggy ground making them great for Durban which doesn't have a very wet winter period. However. they also struggle in sandy soil, so be sure to add some organic matter to enrich their winter beds. Even if you have never planted bulbs before, "anyone can bulb" if they follow these simple steps.

Dig the hole

If you are only planting a few bulbs or tucking some in among other plants in a mixed bed, you can get away with using a small trowel. However, if you are planing a whole bed of bulbs it is better to dig a trench with a shovel. The depth of the hole will depend on the type of bulb you are planting. Not all bulbs are the same size, so not all bulbs should be planted the same depth. The rule of thumb is to make the hole three times as deep as the bulb's height, but even this guideline varies a bit based on your soil type. In sandier soils, you can plant a little deeper; in heavy clay soils, a little shallower. If you are unsure ask at your garden store where there are experts who can advise. Since Durban doesn't have the cold winter conditions including frost and snow, there is little danger of the bulb getting damaged if they stick out of a too shallow hole, however they could be dug up by animals so make sure they are well covered and protected. Beware of making the hole too deep or they might take too long to emerge.

Fertilizer

Use a fertilizer that has a higher phosphorus number, such as a 5-10- 5 fertilizer. Phosphorus is important for the root growth as well as flower production. To administer the fertilizer, sprinkle it in the bottom of the hole and scratch it in so it mixes with the soil a bit. If the ground you are planning to plant your bulbs in is very dry, water it a day before planting. You want ground that is damp, but not muddy. Some experts prefer to fertilize later in the season, just as the spring rains start and the bulbs start to grow. If you want to wait to fertilize, you can scratch the fertilizer into the surface of the soil.

Finishing it off

After you have hidden your spring surprises, scoop soil back into the holes and firmly press it into place to get rid of any air pockets. Water the bed well and you will notice settling occurring to let you see where you need to add a bit more soil. A good tip is to mark the location of the bulbs with permanent, stakes or markets which will not rot or rust. Zinc or copper stakes and labels are good for this purpose but be careful not to stake the bulb itself when driving them into the ground.

Underground matters

Roots grow out of the bottom of the bulb, so the quality of the soil underneath is more important than what you pack the hole with. If you're using organic material like compost or sphagnum moss, dig deeper to allow this extra stuff to be added before you plant the bulbs. Distance apart varies with the type of bulb and the sort of display you have in mind. If you crowd the bulbs underground, the eventual show may suffer. Certainly, don't let the bulbs touch one another. Experience can tell you what the bulbs you've chosen tolerate and how dense you like your displays, nut if this is your first bulb party ask advice of your nurseryman or ask a neighbour whose springtime displays always look good. Gardeners are normally more than happy to share their knowledge and experience about a task which is often close to their hearts so don't feel ashamed to ask. Chances are you might make a new friend you thought you had little in common with.

Good to know

Make sure the bottom of the bulb is in contact with soil when you fill in the hole as leaving any air pockets can mean the roots will dry out dry out and the bulb won't grow.