Great Year of Tulips

Very last of my cuttings

This certainly was a great year for tulips. As I've mentioned before, I've planted over two hundred bulbs this year and had such great results. I had about 180 cuttings this year. It's such a luxury to have tulips arrangements all over the house in early spring. So why not plant them this fall and have gorgeous blooms to enjoy for next spring? As long as you don't buy the rarer varieties of tulips, the bulbs are inexpensive, so start from there and work your way up. 

petite tulips and snowbells

I'm going to briefly tell you how I plant my tulips. 



1. Choose plump and firm tulip bulbs. Do not plant a bulb that is soft or shriveled, as it may be rotten or dead inside. Peel off all the skin on the bulbs (You don't have to do this, but this is something I always do.) 


2. Tulips grow in most soils but if the soil is very dry, plant the bulbs a day after it has rained. The ideal site should be sunny or lightly shaded. Remove any weeds or stones and use a fork or trowel to loosen and aerate the soil.


3. Use a trowel to dig a hole large enough to fit all of the bulbs that you are planting. The depth of the hole should be twice the length of the bulb itself. You can also plant them in groups of 2 or 3 depending on what you want.


4. Loosen the soil inside the hole to help the roots grow more easily. Sprinkle some lime and mix into the soil. And remember that the bulbs must be planted with the tip pointing upwards.


5. Position the bulbs in a random pattern 2 - 3 times their width apart. Bulbs can be planted together in one hole if you have an open, empty flower bed, or individual holes can be made using a bulb planter.


6. Using your hands, gently draw the soil across the bulbs, taking care not to move them.


7. Press the soil down with your fingers.


8. Unless the ground is very dry, there is no need to water the bulbs. Newly planted bulbs may rot if the soil becomes sodden and waterlogged. There should be enough rain through the autumn and winter to provide your bulbs with enough moisture.