April 10th, 2006
Tulips!
We saw the first one on Saturday, and now eight (of the dozen I planted last fall) are poking their heads out of the soil!
The picture in my mind of a row or tulips is like a two dimensional illustration in a children’s book with each plant bearing one bloom. In reality, I think each bulb should produce a few stems, right?
Isn’t it funny how much I don’t know about this stuff?
The tardy tulips create gaps, which kinda bugs me. (Gardening could be good for someone who is a bit impatient and, oh, let’s call it, overly observant.) And although I planted them evenly in a neat row, most have come through the soil on the edges.
Gardening would probably be good for someone who has control issues, too ;-)
I am so glad I have outdoor plans this year! Sometimes summer and winter encroach upon the other two seasons and can almost squeeze them out; but when spring and autumn are good, they are very good. This spring is shaping up to be superior.
What’s amazing and really quite wonderful is to have a spring like we’re having now after a not-too-bad winter like the one that just past, preceded by a long and lingering autumn which we had last September through November.
We are on a great streak! And the tulip plants are just icing on my blooming spring cake!
April 14th, 2006 at 5:51 am
So.. I take it you are a tad new to the whole gardening gig, eh? Nice!
A few tips from a Dutchman on planting (whether bulbs, transplants, or whatever): fuggitabout straight lines and serious consistency. That went out with the guillotining of the french aristocracy during the French Revolution. It’s all about ‘clumps’ now.. and tulips rock in clumps of 5.
Plant Tulips deep… at least 6-8″, tho a foot or more doesn’t hurt them at all and protects them from varmints. Ive been doing some work in the front yard, and last fall I moved some soil into a pile.. right over some bulbs. They are probably 2′+ underground now, and still they are coming up!! Plant your bulbs about 2-4″ apart in the clump, and clumps about a foot apart. Over time, the bulbs multiply, and the clumps grow together. When that happens, dig ‘em up, throw out the poorer bulbs (and be sure to plant the wee tiny ones.. they will flower in a couple of years as well) and start it all over again. Within 10 years, you will have hundreds of bulbs glorifying your yard from the 10 you started with.
Oh.. and when you plant, put in some lime and bonedust (both available at your local hardware store this time of year). Keeps the bulbs robust. And throw a blanket of leaves over them in the fall, to keep them warm. Leave it there till the tulip greens turns to brown (usually mid-June here) and then just clean it all up and plant your summer annuals right over the spot!
The above works for daffodils as well, except for the depth. Not more than 6-8″.