Lee Ganim sees fewer customers looking for flower bulbs now than when he started his business 43 years ago in Fairfield. Thats because the Internet has made mail-ordering them easier. But when he does get people at Ganims Garden Center looking to get ready for their fall planting, hell tell them one thing the mail-orders dont: Wait until the temperatures drop.
We have a saying: You shouldnt be sweating when youre putting your bulbs in, Ganim says. The colder the ground, the better off youll be for blooming for next year.
Daffodils, tulips, grape hyacinths and snowdrops, the first flowers to come up in the spring, are popular with gardeners. They come from bulbs planted late in the fall, usually after the leaves have fallen from the trees. Local nurseries and flower shops have started receiving their stocks of bulbs, and now is a good time to choose what you would like to plant in your garden. Ganim suggests getting out to plant in late October or early November.
Snowdrops are the first bulbs to appear in spring, often while snow is still on the ground. Daffodils and crocuses bloom next, followed by tulips and grape hyacinths. When planting bulbs, make sure you plant them in groups. Isolated daffodils and tulips can look silly, whereas a clump of a dozen or so will look spectacular. Deer are fond of tulips, so if deer are a problem in your garden, you might want to plant them in pots indoors.
Ganim also sells a special organic fertilizer, Milorganite, made from sewage. The human smell from its source scares away deer and other pests. Or, Ganim says, you could stick to daffodils or hyacinths, many of which are poisonous.
When you've decided where to plant your bulbs, prepare the soil by turning over at least six inches of soil with a fork or spade. If your soil is like clay, it will be hard to turn, so stick to your spade and add some sand to loosen it. If your soil is sandy, add some composted manure, which you can buy at your local nursery. You can also add bone meal to the soil to feed your bulbs.
Ganim recommends planting small bulbs (crocus, snowdrop, grape hyacinth) about three to four inches down. Large bulbs (daffodils and tulips) should be planted six to eight inches down and two inches apart. Make sure you plant the bulb with the pointed side at the top. Planting deeper ensures the bulbs will last through winter and keeps them away from squirrels and voles.
Bulbs remain in the ground and will flower year after year. Most bulbs reproduce by creating new bulbs, so if your soil and bulbs are healthy, your display of spring blossoms will multiply every year.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Fairfield and receive free news updates.