From Soil to Splendor: Cultivate your Gardens Hidden Treasures

Planting bulbs is for fall weather and cooler temperatures.  Bulb planting offers a fantastic opportunity to create a garden that dazzles with color and fragrance year-round. With the right bulb selection and care, you can transform your garden into a breathtaking floral haven. 

Often this topic comes up as a sign from mother nature that we can begin allowing ourselves to pine for getting back outside and into the garden again; living in Houston, it is not unusual for us to pine all the way into mid October!  Fanciful fall, it’s when the leaves start to turn amber colors and there’s a special smell in the air that only comes from the change of seasons and wet leaves.  The spring and summer show we get from bulbs can be romantic and mesmerizing all at once and well worth the wait, and let’s face it…the squirrels in my yard are waiting!

We have made it to October and now that temperatures have fallen below 100, we MUST start to consider bulbs!  Where should I plant them?  How many should I buy?  How do I get continuous color?  When I think about planting bulbs I have to admit I have a hard time getting excited because I so enjoy watching a plant grow from the moment it goes in the ground.  With bulbs, you won’t just be growing plants but your patience as well!  There’s a delayed satisfaction for gardeners as you plant now to reap the rewards later. Making a strategic plan can prove very successful, I’ve found, and as challenging as it may be, it is not insurmountable, especially when you can keep your eye on the prize. 

When to Plant:

“Spring” bulbs?  These are the ones that you actually plant in the Fall and for the beginner gardener this can be confusing.  Summer bulbs will be the ones you plant in the early spring/late winter when the last sign of frost has gone. Timing is everything when it comes to spring bulb planting. In Houston, the best time to plant spring-flowering bulbs is in late fall (October to early December). This allows the bulbs to establish their roots before the winter chill and ensures a spectacular spring bloom.  No matter what season, huge smiles and joyous hearts will be found flitting around the garden center and in neighborhoods all over Kingwood as the first leaves emerge from the soil and the long wait is over! 

Choosing the Right Bulbs:

There will be choices that you have to make, like which to buy and how many.  That’s where you turn to the garden team here at Warren’s!  We are more than happy to help you with these decisions as the answer would be different for each garden!  Remember, Spring bulbs should be planted November through early December in our area, after that they have to be chilled.  All bulbs sold here at the garden center have been proven successful in our area and have also been pre-chilled before arrival; therefore, they are ready to plant!  Before buying any bulbs be sure to consider sun conditions, soil and drainage.  Bulbs can rot from too much water so adding sand to your container or landscape is a good practice.  Bulbs can be layered like lasagna in containers or planted in large drifts in your landscape so unearth your creativity and build your own masterpiece.  Whether you are a “high maintenance” gardener or “low maintenance” gardener we have the right bulbs for you.  

Overwintering:

Some spring bulbs such as tulips and daffodils require a certain number of cold hours in the ground before breaking dormancy.  In the Houston area, many bulbs are considered perennial and can be left in the ground over winter. However, if you’re planting bulbs that are marginally hardy, it’s advisable to lift and store them till the next planting season. 

Protecting Bulbs from Pests:

Now let’s talk about the dirt on bulbs…the pests!  Of course, we have the “precious” squirrels!  And all the other furry friends who love to dig them up, eat them or play with them like tennis balls.  Consider protective measures like planting in wire cages or using natural repellents to help deter these naughty creatures from ruining all our fun!

Embrace the joy of gardening, try your hand and creativity at bulb planting this Fall!  Cheers to the fruit of your fall labor and let’s get growing!