Autumn through winter can be a tough time as a gardener and gardening enthusiast, but it doesn’t have to be as fruitless as you might imagine. Tulip planting can answer your prayers, setting up your garden for a spring full of vibrant shades of pink, orange, purple and yellow while the months get chillier – a perfect gardening task to take seasonal blues !
These gorgeous perennial flowers are unique in that they require a cold dormancy period and do not
require protection from frost
in bulb form like many other common garden plants. However, their hardiness doesn’t mean they’re ready to be planted on purchase. This blog will outline the essential steps to take before planting tulip bulbs to guarantee a successful bloom.
You might wonder “why am I planting tulips in Autumn?” It’s because tulip bulbs need to be chilled while establishing their roots. It’s these vital colder months that allow them to bloom so stunningly in spring. However, they need to be planted in Autumn or the early part of winter for the perfect balance of coolness and soil access.
Before the ‘formal’ preparation can begin, you have to decide which tulips are going to fit best into your garden. Are you looking for the whimsy of fringed flowers ? Making a statement with some fiery scarlet petals ? Or looking for a mix? These are the fun decisions you can make before the work begins.
Signs of quality bulbs include:
Knowing how to prepare tulips for planting is more about the soil than the bulbs themselves. As long as the bulbs show signs of quality, being free from mould, blemishes and disease, they should be ready to go.
When selecting a spot in the soil for tulip planting you need to keep in mind:
Tulip planting follows some clear steps after preparation:
Now you know the steps of tulip planting from prep to actually getting them safely in the soil, next it’s important to learn proper care techniques – but that’s a blog for another day! For more information on maintaining a great home garden, check out our knowledge hub today.
