One of the most beautiful signs of spring is the blooming of tulips in all shades of color. But there are some tricks to making sure these delicate flowers continue to bloom year after year.
You should look for an area that is partly shaded with partial sunlight. The soil should be loose and airy, well-drained, and with a high sand content. Peat moss works really well and results in more blooms. If you find yourself with very few blooms, then the soil could be deficient, so add some peat moss.
Once you have decided where you want to begin your tulip garden, then it’s time to plant the bulbs. Usually the best time to plant bulbs is in the fall before the first frost. This allows them time to incubate. If you live in a warmer climate then try refrigerating them for a couple of months first.
Since tulips have a tendency to spread, be sure to leave plenty of space between the bulbs, about 5-6 inches. Start by digging a hole about 6-10 inches deep then leave soil at the base of the hole instead of leaving it loose so water and air will have no problem reaching the bulb. Place the bulb in the hole with the rounded side down and the pointed side up. Ten inches might seem rather deep, but if you plant bulbs too shallow, various rodents love to dig them up and carry them off.
Replace several inches of the dirt that you dug up (about 2-3 inches), loosely over the bulb. To have the most beautiful tulips around, fill the remainder of the hole in with compost or manure and top with firmly-packed mulch. This will not only keep animals from digging up the bulbs, but will also keep moisture in. It will also keep the bulbs from coming unearthed during harsh winter months when the ground tends to heave.
Never put fertilizer directly around the bulb. This can result in fertilizer burn. Always keep a thin layer of soil around the bulb and then add fertilizer or compost to help the plant thrive. One element that bulbs need to flourish is nitrogen. So, make sure that whatever fertilizer you use is rich with it. (However, do not use too much fertilizer once blooms have formed.) Moisten the soil once planting is complete so that roots can begin to form.
Because tulips tend to spread so rapidly, the bulbs must be divided and replaced about every 5-6 years. Many people think that bulbs require little care because they just come up year after year without fanfare. However, they should be watered at least once a month before the flowers bloom, and weekly afterward. Don’t allow water to pool around the plants, but keep the soil well-moistened to keep the bulb healthy.
This may sound like a lot of work, but really bulbs are very easy to maintain year after year. Every spring you can enjoy your tulip garden with very little maintenance. The tulip can represent love, fame, good luck, or passion. Some even think that they represent beautiful souls. Whatever their meaning, these stunning works of nature are an asset to any flower garden.
Fred Myers shares his 20 years of experience about vegetable and herb gardens, greenhouses, lawns and landscaping at GardenersGardening.com. For more detailed information about flower bulbs, be sure to visit his web site.
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