• Ask Mark
    • Search the Library
    • Mark and Ben’s Magazine Columns
    • eNewsletter / Subscribe
    • Books
    • Links
  • Cullen’s Foods
  • Trees For Life
  • Events
    • Gardening Communities
  • About Mark
    • Mark and Ben’s Bio
    • Book Mark as a Speaker
    • Mark in the Media
    • Contact Us
October 1, 2014

It’s A-Bulb Time

Last week on Canada AM), Jeff and I gave you advice on planting bulbs. For some, the idea of planting bulbs before the freezing temperatures of winter seems counterintuitive. But, trust me, your late season prep work now will provide you a beautiful show in the spring. And who doesn’t love to see the bright green of new spring shoots after a long season of powdery white snow covering just about everything.

Oct1_1
The Basics
I won’t go over the basics too much today (I did that enough in the video) but spacing and depth are important so I will repeat them.
Depth: three times the length of the bulb. If the bulb is longer (from tip to base, not side to side), it will be planted deeper.
Spacing: will vary but plan on at least 2cm between bulbs. I tend to plant mine in clumps of 5 bulbs, keeping them spaced evenly.
Direction: plant with the pointed side up. This is where the green shoots will sprout and the flatter bottom side is where the roots will grow from.

Oct1_2
Like I said in the video, you can layer different bulbs for a greater affect. Just be sure to plant the largest bulbs at the bottom and the smallest on top (keeping with the 3x width rule I mentioned earlier).

Holland Bulb Booster
Bulbs need food just like any other plant. With the right combination of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, Holland Bulb Booster will give your flowering bulbs deeper green foliage and flowers that last longer. Fertilize the bulbs when you’re planting in the fall and as you see fit afterwards. If you notice they are lacking in their usual luster, sprinkle some Bulb Booster on them after flowering has finished to promote healthier bulbs next season.

Oct1_3
Animal-Proofing
Deer and squirrels are a problem in a number of areas across Canada. Squirrels will dig up bulbs in the fall and the spring before they have emerged. Deer will decimate foliage as it starts to appear when the snow melts.

Look for deer and squirrel resistant bulbs (like the Mark’s Choice ones below) or try your hand at animal-proofing using any number of the strange concoction recipes around. I cannot recommend any particular one as I have found deer are as diverse in their tastes as the concoctions made to repel them. Your best bet is to ask around your local area for advice on what works for the animals that live around you.

Try animal-proofing with chicken wire laid across the surface where your bulb is buried. This is best for squirrels and can be removed in the spring when the bulb starts to sprout. If you use chicken wire with wide holes, you don’t need to remove it as the foliage will grow between the wires.

Mulch is also effective in some areas as it creates a larger barrier between the squirrel and the bulb. Again, because it’s a barrier for the bulb and not the plant, it probably won’t be that effective for deer.

Finally, mix in a few alliums with animal favourites. Alliums are generally avoided and can be an effective deterrent when it comes to squirrels and deer.

My Own Line of Bulbs
If you’re familiar with my work at Home Hardware, you may know that I have recently introduced some plants to the Mark’s Choice line-up. Check out these for a stunning variety in the garden:

100 Days of Flowers
Deer and Squirrel Resistant Bulbs
Bee-Friendly Bulb Collection

Oct1_4

Spend some time this fall planting bulbs and enjoying the fresh autumn air. If you’re anything like me, you’ll have forgotten about them in the spring until the snow has just about driven you mad – and then you’ll see those tiny green shoots, reminding you that spring is on its way.

← Previous post
The Fungus Amongst Us

Next post →
Perennial Geraniums?

Search

Magazine Columns

  • Blooming Bulbs Indoors
  • Enhance Your Indoors with Tropical Plants
  • Regenerative Gardening
  • Procurement Department
  • Food Gardening

Comments are closed.

About Mark and Ben


Mark Cullen is an expert gardener and holds the Order of Canada. His son Ben is a fourth-generation urban gardener.
More

Find Mark On

Sponsored Links

cullensfoods Harrowsmith
© Mark Cullen. Go to top ↑