Tulips and daffodils are some of the most beautiful flowers in our spring landscapes. One of the reasons they are seen as such a beauty is due to the anticipation from the fall planting of bulbs to the gorgeous spring day when they make their grand appearance. Are you ready to put some bulbs in the ground so your spring landscape can be filled with bursts of fresh color and beauty? Here are some tips on planting your bulbs this fall.
Why don't my tulips come back the next year?
While tulips are a perennial (meaning they survive at least two years), they are not a strong perennial. Most tulips do not return a second year. The bulbs you purchased in the fall were groomed (by being raised in soil and the correct fertilizer) to bloom. The bulbs bloomed in the spring, but the flowers were cut off to discourage energy from leaving the bulb. Tulip bulbs go dormant in the early spring when they are then dug. Most tulips are native to Central Asia where they have long, hot and dry summers. Tulip bulbs are kept in climate controlled warehouses that mimic these seasonal conditions. All of this work brings about the most ideal flowering-size bulbs at around 4.7 inches circumference. While some tulips may bloom a second and third year before needing to replant, the conditions in which tulips are raised often prevents them from having a good showing after the first year.
When buying bulbs, does size matter?
Yes, if you want the best results -- large, beautiful flowers in the spring. Bigger is better. Larger bulbs produce more large flowers than do smaller bulbs. The tulip bulbs we purchase are at least 4.7 inches (12 centimeters) in circumference if not larger. If you are going through the work of planting bulbs this fall, make sure you get the most bang for your hard work -- plant larger bulbs that will result in impressive, beautiful flowers next spring. When it comes to daffodils, the best choice is a bulb that is 16 centimeters in circumference. The larger daffodil bulb will give you more blooms in the spring.
Should I chill my bulbs before planting them?
Most spring-flowering bulbs need a long period of cold weather in order to grow and bloom. If you live in an area that does not get a prolonged period of cold weather, your bulbs will have short lived blooms. It is suggested that your bulbs get at least 8-10 weeks of pre-chilling - starting in early October. Being native to Central Asia, tulips are used to long, cool springs. By pre-chilling your bulbs, they are tricked into believing they have had a cold winter. This trick does not prepare them for an early March heat wave or a late wintery blast that sometimes hits the flowers at their prime. Typically in Oklahoma, we get enough cold weather to have great blooms. If you buy bulbs in the fall but are not able to plant them until January, it would be best if they are kept in the refrigerator until being planted. In Oklahoma, it is suggested that you pre-chill your bulbs for at least 8-10 weeks to get the optimum bloom in the spring.
When is the best time to plant bulbs?
In central and southern Oklahoma, the best time of year to plant your bulbs is from November to December. A good rule of thumb is to plant your bulbs when the soil temperature is around 55 degrees. You have about 8 weeks to plant your bulbs after the first frost. Here are some more signs it's time to plant in the fall...
- Soil temperatures in your area are near 55 degrees
- Nighttime temperatures are between 40 and 50 degrees
- You winterize your irrigation system
- Fall foliage on trees and shrubs has just peaked
- Squirrels are digging in acorns
- You start to smell wood smoke from your neighbor's chimney
- You don't hear crickets chirping any more
- The hostas start to lie down
- You stop wearing white
- You wake up in the middle of the night and look for a blanket
- You say, "man it's cold out" for the first time
- You no longer have to dodge night-flying bugs to get in the front door
How can I get the most out of my daffodils?
Make sure they are planted in an area that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. Daffodils need soil that drains well. It is best to very lightly fertilize with a low-nitrogen fertilizer as the shoots emerge in the early spring. Wait at least 6 weeks after the daffodils flower (until the leaves turn yellow) before cutting them.
How many bulbs should I plant per square foot?
Standard tulips should have 5 bulbs per square foot - wild tulips should be 9-13 per square foot. Large daffodils should have 4-5 bulbs per square foot, while miniature daffodils should have 7-11 bulbs per square foot. Hyacinthus should have 3-4 bulbs per square foot.
Still have questions? Give us a call (405.943.4242), email (petemoss@westernlawns.com), or visit one of our favorite suppliers at www.colorblends.com.
