How to Grow A Year of Bulbs

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How to Grow Bulbs Year-Round. To every season - turn, turn, turn. The soil, that is, planting a flower for every season so your garden is always in bloom.

Actually, many flowering plants are actually corms or tubers. Corms and tubers are very similar. They store everything they need for plant growth inside. All you have to do is plant them at the right season and give them a little water.

Tubers, such as dahlias and begonias, are essentially enlarged roots. They usually go dormant after flowering.

Hardy bulbs, which bloom in spring, are cold-tolerant and can be left in the ground over winter.

In fact, they often need a little cold to jolt them into growth.

People in warm climates, such as Florida, have to put theirs in the fridge for a month or so before planting for their botanical wake-up call. These are usually planted in the fall.

Tender flowers, corms and tubers usually flower in the summer and spring and must be dug up and stored during the winter.

In very mild climates, however, you can just leave them in the ground.

Many even naturalize - which means they multiply all by themselves underground.

So plant a dozen daffodils this year and with luck, you may be enjoying two dozen next year.

A Bulb for Every Season

Autumn: Plant in August or very early September for fall color.

These flowers usually range from about 3- to 5 inches tall (so don't expect the colorful drama of tulips or daffodils.)

But they are delightful sprinkled in among your perennials.

Choices include colchicum, autumn crocus, scilla and sternbergia.

Winter: This is the season you can "force" blooms indoors.

Popular choices include amaryllis, narcissus, and hyacinth.

Spring: They sky's the limit.

Favorites include tulips, fritillaria, muscari, crocus and anemone.

But there are dozens of varieties to choose among.

Summer: These range from tuberous begonia (which will bloom profusely in shady areas) to the tall, elegant cannas to the showy, colorful dahlias.

Many summer varieties produce nice flowers for cutting and bringing inside.

If you live in an apartment, grow them in pots. They provide a lot of reward for very little effort.

Bad Bugs: The Dirty Dozen

Good Bugs: The 10 Most Wanted (Really!)

Making (Wormless) Compost Happen

The Essentials Tools

Gardening With Kids

Backyard Chores for Kids

Return to Backyard Gardening from Bulbs

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