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You are here: Home / Gardening / 5 Ways to Care for Bulbs

5 Ways to Care for Bulbs

April 4, 2014 by Katie Femia Leave a Comment

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5 Ways to Care for Spring Bulbs

If you planted bulbs last fall or are sticking some in the ground this spring, you should know that they need a little tender loving care to grow their best. Many people think that bulbs can be tossed in the ground and let go to grow, but the truth is they need a little more than that. Take a look below at some 5 ways to care for spring bulbs that are simple and inexpensive. By following these tips, you can be sure your bulbs grow beautifully year after year.

5 Ways to Care for Spring Bulbs

1. Groom your blooms. So what exactly does this mean? It means you should remove dead flowers (also called dead heading) as soon as you see them. By doing this you are saving the bulb tons of energy from trying to revive the bloom. That saved energy will result in a stronger, more vibrant bulb. Always however leave leaves and foliage as long as it is green.

2. Fertilize properly. Bulbs love being fed. Use a high-phosphorus plant food to give your bulbs the nourishment they need. You can find a list of organic fertilizers here. When planting, you can even place some directly into the hole. Then, as soon as you see the plants emerge from the soil give them another good feeding. They will love you for it.

3. Provide some warmth. If your bulbs start to peek out while there is still a frost threat, don’t worry. They should be able to handle it. If you want to provide extra protection, cover the growth with scrap fabric or a homemade cloche the evening before a freeze is due to hit.

4. Protect them from pests. Critters love digging up bulbs. Help keep them at bay by not using planting materials or fertilizers that contain bone meal. Bone meal will actually attract some critters and cause them to dig more. Instead, feed only bone meal free products and don’t place bird feeders or squirrel feeders near your bulbs. If necessary, you can make homemade rabbit repellent to help protect your bulbs.

5. Forget about braiding. Braiding the foliage on bulbs blooms has been a way that gardeners have moved the leaves out of the way for years. You shouldn’t do this as it can actually hurt the amount of sunlight that the plant is getting. The lack of light will hurt and weaken the bulb. So resist the urge to braid and don’t let floppy foliage bother you.

See how simple it can be to care for your spring bulbs? Give these tips a try and grow bigger and better blooms.

More Tips for Growing Flowers

How to Grow Hollyhocks

How to Grow Russian Sage

Growing Butterfly Bushes

How to Grow Chrysanthemums

How to Create A Square Foot Cutting Garden

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Prep-Ahead Breakfasts and Lunches by Alea Milham

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Welcome. I'm Alea!

On Premeditated Leftovers I share simple recipes made with whole foods, practical shopping tips, time saving techniques, and meal planning strategies. I also share tips for minimizing food waste, so more of the food that is purchased ends up on the table.

While volunteering as a budget counselor, I realized that food is the element of most people’s budgets where they have the greatest control. I set out to develop low-cost recipes from scratch to prove it’s possible to create delicious meals on a limited budget. Eating well while spending less is about more than just creating recipes using inexpensive ingredients; it’s about creatively combining ingredients so you don’t feel deprived and are inspired to stick to your budget.

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