The Basics of Spring Bulb Care

By now the bulbs you planted last fall have bloomed and are making way for the color your annuals and perennials will add to the yard. That doesn’t mean that you can forget about your tulips, hyacinths or daffodils, though. Steps you take now can help these beauties bloom again next spring.

Bulbs are actually self-contained, growing entities that have to manufacture and store enough food during the spring and early summer to over winter and produce next year’s foliage and flower. That is why we need to do everything possible now to allow the bulb to rejuvenate. There are two things that can be done immediately after the blooms wilt. First, pinch off all flower heads to remove the plant’s fruiting ability since setting fruit for our purposes waste energy. You can take the stem also, but I recommend leaving it since it can be part of the food making process. The second thing you need to do is fertilize the plants; they need nutrients the same as any other component of your landscape. I support using an approximate 5N-10P-10K mixture or a normal analysis, water-soluble mixture. Apply of the recommended rate and be sure not to choose anything containing a weed killer.

So much for what you should do- now, let’s talk about what you shouldn’t do. In order for the plants to make the food it needs to survive, its leaves must collect sunlight to fuel photosynthesis. That’s why it’s important not to cut or bind the foliage in any way. However, I know the foliage can be unattractive when it begins to turn brown. You can camouflage this by planting annuals between your bulbs. Or, you can periodically trim off the brown leaf ends of the plant since that part is dead anyway. Whatever you choose, just be certain that you don’t block the light from any green, living part of the plant.

By taking these few simple steps, you may be able to extend the life of your bulbs by as much as fifty percent. It is important to realize, though, that our weather conditions in Ohio aren’t quite as conducive to bulb regeneration as the clear days and cool nights of Holland. Because of this, the appearance of spring flowering bulbs will gradually decline as the years go by. When this begins to happen, the best thing to do is to dig the old bulbs up after flowering and plant new in the fall. The exceptions to this are daffodils which are just about capable of taking care of themselves and in many cases multiply and spread.

Once you’ve taken care of your spring flowering bulbs, it is time to begin thinking about planting summer flowering bulbs. These bulbs can be started indoors and set out the same time your annuals are after the frost free date. Some favorite summer flowering bulbs include calla lilies, cannas, caladium, dahlia, and tuberous begonia. Gladiolas are also a favorite and can be planted at one, two, or three week intervals to stagger the bloom time. Check with a gardening or nursery professional to determine the best conditions for particular varieties. And, remember, these bulbs will need to be dug up and stored in the fall after a late frost, but before a hard freeze since they won’t survive the winter temperatures in Ohio. Remember that while you are getting the rest of your landscape up and running for the growing season, your spring flowering bulbs need a little special care. With it, they will continue to be the first bright signs of spring in your landscape.