1. Planting Bulbs Steps to planting a beautiful bulb garden. Original by Joe Green, Pope High School Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office July 2006

2. Step 1  The first step to planting a beautiful bulb garden is to select the site.

3. Select a site that has:  Full sun!  Good visibility so the flowers can be seen.  Good soil drainage… no marshy areas!

4. Tulips or Daffodils?  Select quality bulbs.  Bulbs are the best guarantee for spring color.

5. Step 2  Next, remove any debris, weeds, or rocks that might interfere with the planting.

6. Don’t forget!  Rake the mulch to the side so that you can use it after the bulbs are planted.  Keep a pile of soil on the side to cover the bulbs up with after you arrange them.

7. Step 3  Then, you must till the soil 8-10”deep several times so that it is very loose.  Or use a shovel to prepare the soil.  Add organic matter or soil conditioner to create a raised bed.

8. Fertilizer  Add fertilizer to the bulb bed now.  A fertilizer called BONE MEAL is good to use.  BONE MEAL is high in phosphorus which helps promote flowering.

9. After tilling…  Rake the bed smooth and remove any rocks or sticks in the bed.  A “mounded” bed looks good and is achieved by using the back side of a rake to form a rounded hill.

10. Step 4  Next, space the bulbs in the bed in a pattern which appeals to you.  Decide on a color pattern.

11. Step 5  Before putting soil back into the bed, look at the bulbs to make sure they are properly spaced and placed correctly.  4-10” spacing is recommended.

13. Step 6  Fill the bed back up with the soil that you removed, incorporating fertilizer that is high in phosphorus.  Bone Meal or 10- 10-10 is recommended.

14. Step 7  Spread pine straw or other mulch over the bed to: –Retain moisture –Smothers out weeds –Keep temperature balanced –Add nutrients to soil

15. Step 8  Now wait for the bulbs to bloom!  Bulbs need about 8-10 weeks of cold temperatures to set bloom.

16. THE END Joe Green Pope High School www.popehorticulture.com www.popehorticulture.com