Time to think Spring??

I planted Daffodil bulbs today.

bulbsonline.com

Have you planted your bulbs yet?  Now is the time to be thinking about planting your Spring-flowering bulbs.  Last fall I planted Tulips and this past Spring I was rewarded with the most beautiful shade of pink.  My tulips bloomed in late April.  For next Spring I wanted some color a bit earlier than April, so I chose to plant some Daffodils today.

My front garden

When should you plant spring-flowering bulbs?  The answer to that really depends upon which "planting zone" you live in.  I am in Ohio, so late October to early November is the best time for me.  If you live in an area with very harsh winters you will want to plant your bulbs in September.  For regions with mild winters you can plant as late as December.  Generally you want to get the bulbs in the ground before the first frost.

When you purchase a package of bulbs it should tell you on the package when the bulbs should be planted according to what zone you live in.  My daffodil package had a zone map on it.  Here is the USDA Zone Map.

Planting bulbs is quite easy.  You will need a bulb-planter or a garden trowel.  I planted my daffodil bulbs around the base of the tree in my front yard.  I moved the mulch out of the way and placed the bulbs in the bed around the base of the tree.  You should place bulbs about 4-6 inches apart.  I then dug a narrow hole aprroximately 6" deep and placed the bulb in the hole pointy side up.  I replaced the dirt and continued with each bulb until they were all planted.  The bulb packaging will tell you how deep to plant your bulbs. 

Generally you will want to water thoroughly after your bulbs are planted.  We have had so much rain here in Northeast Ohio that the ground was very saturated and I didn't feel the need to water today.

I can't wait to see my daffodils in the Spring.  The winter is usually so long, cold, and miserable.  Those first flowers that begin to pop up in March are such a welcome sight.  They are a sign of new life, a sign of hope, of sign of beautiful days to come. 

So get on out there and plant some bulbs!
Come March or April you will be so glad you did.

Here are some bulb-planting resources:
Guide To Planting Bulbs - GoodHousekeeping.com
What Bulbs Grow In My Region? - AmericanMeadows.com
Flower Bulbs Galore, and More - GardenersNet.com


I am linking up to Kimba's DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land and also to Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch. Come join the fun!