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″.