Our First Experience Planting Bulbs

It's about time I posted an update on our gardening progress! I shared our fall gardening goals back in September and, more recently, posted the new planters at our front door. With the days growing shorter and the temperatures dipping lower, it's come time to start bulb planting--a priority on our gardening goal list.

We planted our bulbs this past weekend. And while it will take months to enjoy the fruits of our labors, I wanted to share the process.

Our first attempt at bulb planting started with a plan. These bulbs would be planted at the lower level of our garden, where we removed eleven overgrown shrubs this past summer.

The beds in front of the original stone retaining wall were at least 3' deep and extended the entire length of the wall. It was a lot of ground to cover!

To maximize our budget without sacrificing color, we ordered a lot of bulbs (over a 1,000), taking into account the spacing necessary around each bulb. If bulbs are too spread out, they're not as impactful come spring. Too far apart and the bulbs don't have enough room to grow.

I knew what blooms I wanted: delicate poet's daffodils, parrot tulips and tiny muscari.

(1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5)

These varieties will give us different colors, heights and, most importantly, an extended blooming season. We'll have color in our front yard from early to late spring. Our bulbs came from Michigan Bulb Co. because they are always running sales. I had to wait longer for them to arrive than I wanted, but I can deal. Just anticipate delays if you order bulbs or plants from them. 

On Saturday morning, we got to work cleaning the beds of weeds, edging with our amazing Edge Hog (I should dedicate a single post just to this contraption!) and creating a slope between the edge of the bed and the surrounding grass.

(this graphic from Fine Gardening is very helpful)

With a clean slate, we were ready to plant. Smaller bulbs (like muscari) are planted 3" from the surface while larger bulbs (tulips, daffodils) are planted about 6" deep. We planned 9 different plots where our bulb combination would go, so Adam dug holes at appropriate depths. Next, we were ready to plant each bulb, which should be planted with their point facing upward. This picture is of teensy-weensy muscari bulbs.

With the bulbs in place, they were covered with dirt and new mulch to protect them from burrowing squirrels and to insulate them from cold winter temperatures.

And now we wait. We are definitely sore, but the sea of color come spring makes it all worthwhile.

And while we didn't try this, I snapped this pic a great tip from the latest issue of Better Homes and Gardens during a trip to CVS last week. They recommend using chicken wire to protect bulbs from little squirrel thieves. Has anyone tried this in their garden? 

(all via Meet Me in Philadelphia)

Is there anything else we should know about planting bulbs this time of year? Any/all tips are welcome! How are you prepping for garden for next spring this October?