Planting tulips
I had the day off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and it turned out to be really nice. We had a wet weekend, 2 1/2 inches according to the rain gauge, so everything was still very damp. The sun was out today and temperatures were in the mid 50s.
Tulips are best planted earlier than this (November or December are the best months) but I never got around to it and it was too cold to get out during the winter break. So, better late than never. I think they will probably be okay. Actually, it has been years since I've planted tulips. I planted them often in my early garden days but I learned quickly that they usually don't come back and have to be treated like annuals. There is one variety, the beautiful solid white "Maureen", that has survived many years in our garden. I saw this bag of tulips at Sam's a few months ago and the price wasn't bad ($14 for a bag of 100). They are described as "Mixed Colors" - don't you love those generic descriptions?
I stored the tulip bulbs in a drawer in the refrigerator. This gives them a pre-chilling period which usually helps since our winter temperatures are often erratic. Storing bulbs this way is perfectly fine, just don't keep them in the refrigerator with fruit because they emit some type of gas that is harmful to the bulbs.
I wanted to plant the tulips in front of the little fence that encloses the vegetable garden. This area is a mess and I've yet to come up with a successful plan for it. The planting space between the fence and the driveway is very narrow. I've tried daylilies and iris with little success.
First, I did a little cleaning up. I removed the weeds and all the daylilies and iris. You can see that the fence also needs some help. It is in need of a good paint job but it probably needs to be totally replaced. There are only a few panels of fencing so this might be an inexpensive project before spring arrives.
Make sure the bulbs are firm - squeeze them softly to be sure and discard any that are soft. Tulip bulbs should be planted about 6 inches deep with the tip pointing up. A little bone meal can be added to the planting hole but I confess I rarely do this. Carefully cover the bulbs with soil and mulch.
After a few hours, I finished the project and had all 100 bulbs planted. I also added some leftovers to containers. In a few months, we should have a nice row of tulips along the fence. Then I'll have to decide what to plant there next!
Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
Tulips are best planted earlier than this (November or December are the best months) but I never got around to it and it was too cold to get out during the winter break. So, better late than never. I think they will probably be okay. Actually, it has been years since I've planted tulips. I planted them often in my early garden days but I learned quickly that they usually don't come back and have to be treated like annuals. There is one variety, the beautiful solid white "Maureen", that has survived many years in our garden. I saw this bag of tulips at Sam's a few months ago and the price wasn't bad ($14 for a bag of 100). They are described as "Mixed Colors" - don't you love those generic descriptions?
I stored the tulip bulbs in a drawer in the refrigerator. This gives them a pre-chilling period which usually helps since our winter temperatures are often erratic. Storing bulbs this way is perfectly fine, just don't keep them in the refrigerator with fruit because they emit some type of gas that is harmful to the bulbs.
I wanted to plant the tulips in front of the little fence that encloses the vegetable garden. This area is a mess and I've yet to come up with a successful plan for it. The planting space between the fence and the driveway is very narrow. I've tried daylilies and iris with little success.
First, I did a little cleaning up. I removed the weeds and all the daylilies and iris. You can see that the fence also needs some help. It is in need of a good paint job but it probably needs to be totally replaced. There are only a few panels of fencing so this might be an inexpensive project before spring arrives.
Make sure the bulbs are firm - squeeze them softly to be sure and discard any that are soft. Tulip bulbs should be planted about 6 inches deep with the tip pointing up. A little bone meal can be added to the planting hole but I confess I rarely do this. Carefully cover the bulbs with soil and mulch.
After a few hours, I finished the project and had all 100 bulbs planted. I also added some leftovers to containers. In a few months, we should have a nice row of tulips along the fence. Then I'll have to decide what to plant there next!
Comments
Cariños,
Maria Cecilia
I discovered some asiatic lily bulbs in my fridge drawer that I didn't have time to plant last spring - I forgot I had put them there (was supposed to be very temporary)! Do you think they'd be still good to plant this spring? There are no fruit, but onions and potatoes in the same drawer as the bulbs.
p.s. We also had a nice day but the ground was so soggy!
I like your fence area. Lots of possibilities. I hope to see photos of your blooming tulips.
http://www.smallblueprinter.com/garden/index.htm
This will get you started. I'll be interested to hear what you think. Grace
I reckon your tulips will be just fine.
The usual mistake is to plant them too early when the soil temp. is too high and they kick start into growth early.
I love tulips in pots. Should look really stunning.
That's a good price for a hundred bulbs. Things are more expensive over here.
Frances
What did you do with the daylillies? I have a love-hate relationship with mine. Love that nothing kills them- hate that they start out as just lumps of green for such a long time and the blooms are rather short-lived.
Marnie
I am also glad that by chance, you did not cut into them and use them as if they were onions, while they were in the fridge. That is something I'd do, for sure!
Be sure to re-post their progress...
I love the name of your friend's new blog.
I am yet another jealous northern gardener. Lucky you to be in the garden at this time of year!! Last fall, I decided to try planting some tulip bulbs deep down in my lettuce beds for spring cutting. I look forward to bringing in bouquets this spring. And I anticipate seeing yours in bloom!!
IF it weren't for wonderful garden support like you in the beginning I would never have been able to inspire others. THANK YOU PHILIP!
I like the little picket fence. If you replace it, will it be another picket-style?
Not many tulips down here but I saw more than my share when we lived near a park in Illinois that had an enormous tulip display each spring.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose