Here are planting tips for spring show

One of the most welcome sights after a long, drab winter is a mass planting of spring-flowering bulbs. However, these show-stopping displays begin long before the warm days of April and May. Late September through October is the time to plant spring-flowering bulbs such as crocus, tulips and daffodils.

Here are a few planting tips to help get your spring show “on the road.”

Spring-flowering bulbs traditionally are planted in the fall for two reasons. First, they must develop a root system to support the new growth. Second, they have to meet chilling requirements over the winter in order to bloom the following season. However, do not worry if you are late in getting your bulbs in the ground. I have planted them as late as January and they have still bloomed nicely the next spring.

When planting the bulbs, choose a site that has full sun to partial shade.

Avoid planting in areas that have less than six hours of direct sun. The more sun the plants receive, the earlier they will bloom and the stronger and healthier the stems will be.

Ideally, the soil should be loose and well drained. However, poor soils can be used if organic material is added. For example, heavy clay soils should be amended by mixing in one-third to one-half compost, aged manure or peat moss. Try to give the bulbs 12 inches of prepared soil. If one-third organic material were added, this means four inches of organic material should be mixed into the top eight inches of soil. Finish by incorporating one pound of 10-10-10 or 13-13-13 fertilizer per 100 square feet. The soil pH should be between 6.0 to 7.0.

Planting depths vary depending on the size of the bulbs. Tulips and hyacinths are set about six inches deep and daffodils are planted eight inches deep. Smaller bulbs are planted shallower. As a rule, bulbs should be planted two to three times as deep as their width.

Planting depth is measured from the bottom of the bulb to the top of the soil. Large bulbs should be spaced four to six inches apart and small bulbs about one to two inches. Planting in clumps or irregular masses produces a better display than straight rows or single plants scattered throughout the landscape.

After placing the bulbs at the proper depth, replace half the soil and water to settle the soil around the bulbs. Add the remaining soil and water again. Although there will be no top growth this fall, the roots are developing and so the soil needs to be kept moist but not wet. Mulch can be added after the soil has frozen to prevent small bulbs from being heaved out of the soil by alternate freezing and thawing.

Bruce Chladny is horticulture agent at K-State Research and Extension-Douglas County. For more information, call him at 843-7058 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.