At the end of the summer you may be wondering what to do with your garden.

August is the perfect time to plant bulbs for the next season.
Bulbs are perennial plants that come back year after year as opposed to annuals which need replanting every year. Perennial bulbs bloom once or twice a season usually before annuals so they can be used to jump start your season and bring a much needed pop of color after a bleak winter.

1. What kind of soil do they need?

If cared for properly, perennial bulbs can last for years, so their placement should be in soil that has proper drainage and moisture retention. Test the place you choose for planting by digging a hole about 10 inches deep. Fill the hole with water and allow to drain. The water should be gone in 8 to 10 hours.

2. Where should they go?

Bulbs bloom early in the spring and sometimes again later in summer, so they can be planted among the annuals to add color for when the annuals aren’t in bloom. Tulips, daffodils, and gladiolus can be planted around 6-8 inches deep while the smaller bulbs like Crocus should be shallower.

3. When do they need to be planted?

When first planted, bulbs work on growing their root system. They need a few weeks in the ground to encourage growth before the first hard freeze. Colder areas need to start planting their bulbs late August. In warmer areas, planting can wait until September or even later.
The goal is to plant the with enough time to establish a root system but not so soon that they sprout before the temperature dips.

4. After they are planted, how do I care for them?

Bulbs are low maintenance flowers. They carry most of their nutrients in the bulb itself. Before they bloom, they mostly need regular watering. Usually they get enough from the rain but will need help if your climate suffers from drought. An occasional helping of plant or flower food will help as well.

5. What do I need to do to the flowers?

Spring Tulips and Daffodils are a beautiful addition to your landscape. To keep them coming back year after year, it is important to care for the flowers properly.
When your bulb blooms, cut the flower before it has a chance to grow seeds. This will keep the bulb from expending energy in growing the seeds.

6. What do I do with the leaves?

DO NOT CUT OR REMOVE THE FOLIAGE until it dies naturally. This is important because the bulbs get their energy from the sun through photosynthesis. Without leaves, they will not be able to store this energy for future blooms. Leave them to yellow and die naturally before removing.

Popular Species of Perennial Flowering Bulbs

• Tulip
• Daffodil
• Geranium
• Gladiolus
• Amaryllis
• Crocus
• Iris
• Dahlia
• Lilies (including Tiger, Shasta, Easter and Day lilies among others)
• Muscari (Grape Hyacinths)