Am I too late to plant my Spring Bulbs?
The best laid plans don't always come to fruition.
It’s January (or even February) and you didn’t get your spring bulbs (tulips or daffodils etc) planted. Are you too late?
I realize the ground is probably frozen in our Treasure Valley zone 6b/7a, so DON’T Dig Now.
Digging in frozen earth damages more than just your pride and muscles. While the earth can feel as hard as concrete, forcing it to separate can damage the integrity of the soil making it settle unevenly once it does thaw.
Here are the key things I have done to make it so I can get bulbs in the ground safely before Spring.
1. Cover the area you where want to plant the bulbs with 6" of light mulch (I use leaves because that is what I have most of, but straw works just as well).
2. Cover those leaves with some kind of protective cloth. Mostly this is to keep the mulch from blowing away should we get a strong wind. (I use a frost cloth, but in the past when I have a smaller area I've used an old fleece blanket).
3. I will leave this be for a couple of days, where it gently keeps the ground above freezing and cause it to thaw.
4. After a few days, rake away the mulch and dig the needed depth for the bulbs.
5. Plant. (Tulip bulbs bought from me should be planted 6" deep. If they are staying in your landscape and not being used as a cut flower, plant them 4" apart. Daffodils should be planted 4" deep and 4"-6" apart.)
6. Water. Bulbs do need to be watered in deeply when they are planted,
What if you are planting just as it the day is turning to night, getting darker and colder? What I have done with Ranunculus and Anemones and believe it will work just as well with the tulips is this...
Plant one day and water in the next day when you have a couple of hours before temperatures reach that critical 30 degrees or lower.
Another option is to use the mulch again. Plant the bulbs. Water in and then cover them up with the straw or leaves again. Here is what I don't quite know yet. Daffodils (even the fancy daffs) will be fine to leave the mulch on them long term. Tulips (at least the fringed, parrot, and double varieties) typically require EXTRA cooling. This may mean that after a day or two it will be best to remove the mulch once again. It is an extra couple steps, but will allow the soil to get what it needs to support your bulbs and help them grow through the winter months.
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