Planting Tulips

A lot of the first flowers that come out of the ground in the springtime come from bulbs that were planted in the fall. Tulips and irises are just a couple of these types of flowers, we went with red and yellow tulips.

When planting bulbs in the fall make sure you have a good location that gets enough sun. Each type of flower has different specifications for how much Sun is required for good growth, details on the package should explain how much sun is required. First you need a small garden spade, a way to get water, and a really cute helper doesn't hurt either! 

Dig a hole about 6 inches deep then place the bulb with the flat side down into the bottom of the hole. Water generously before covering with dirt and then move about 4 inches away to start the next hole. Bulbs should be planted between September and November, here in the east central region of Wisconsin, again check the package for instructions on when to plant for your location. 

The final step in bulb planting is to cover the area with a thick layer of leaves or straw, anything to help insulate them from the winter cold. Once the first warm days of spring arrive and there seems to be no danger of frost, clear the leaves or straw and you should find small green shoots already popping out of the ground. If you don't see anything growing yet it's ok, just clear the area and let the sun warm the ground and they should come up just fine. This is another great family project, the kids will enjoy planting the bulbs and even though by spring time they will have forgotten all about them, they will still be excited to see them grow!