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How to Plant Fall Bulbs

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HOW TO PLANT FALL BULBS FOR EARLY SPRING COLOR

Crocus, Tulip, Daffodil, Hyacinth, and Allium bulbs are popular spring blooming favorites. With a little planning and a few tips from us here at Lake Kountry, planting these flower bulbs is easy, fun and exciting while you patiently wait for them to herald the first signs of the upcoming spring.

First, Plant bulbs as soon as the ground is cool, when evening temperatures average between 40° to 50°F. Generally, October is ideal for us here in zone 4. You can, if necessary, store bulbs for a month or longer if you keep them in a cool dry place. The cooler weather allows spring blooming bulbs to winter over, this is important in order for bulbs to provide beautiful spring cheerful blooms.

Second, consider location. Plant your bulbs in a well drained soil, bulbs do not like “wet feet” and may rot if left in wet soil too long. Avoid areas where water collects, such as the bottom of hills and runoff areas. Also plant at least 4 ft away from any heat sources like the foundation of your home so that their dormancy is not disrupted. Bulbs also like sun and do well in many different areas including under trees.

Third, design. Do you want formal rows or a more random display? Clusters give a concentration of color for greatest impact. Keep in mind the height of the flowers once they bloom. Generally, for bulbs that bloom at the same time you would plant low bulbs in front of high. But there are times to break this rule. For example, if the low growing bulbs bloom early and the tall bulbs bloom late, then plant the tall in front. Their display will camouflage the dying foliage of the smaller bulbs! You can stagger the bloom time by planting mid- and late-season bloomers together, creating a spring display that blooms in succession for a whole season of color!

Planting Fall Bulbs Step by Step:

Step 1: Loosen soil in the planting bed to a depth of about 8”. Remove any weeds, rocks or other debris. You can mix in compost, other organic matter or slow releasing bulb fertilizer if your soil lacks nutrients. A trick to deter squirrels is to add a handful of bone meal to your hole when planting.

Step 2: Depending on the bulb, follow the recommendation on the label for planting depth. As a general rule, plant big bulbs about 8″ deep and small bulbs about 5″ deep. Set the bulb in the hole pointy side up or the roots down. It’s easy to spot the pointy end of a tulip; tougher with a crocus. If you can’t figure out the top from the bottom, plant the bulb on its side, in most cases, even if you don’t get it right the flower bulb will still find its way topside.

Step 3: Now that the bulbs are planted, back fill with soil over the hole, lightly compress the soil but do not pack it, water to stimulate root growth. There is no need to water continuously unless you live in an area with low precipitation in the winter months.

Planting Fall Bulbs Depth

AFTERCARE IN THE SPRING:

Fertilizing: For bulbs that are intended to naturalize (return for several years) or for bulbs that are coming into their second year, spread an organic fertilizer such as compost, or a slow release bulb fertilizer on top of the soil.

Pruning: When the flowers have completed blooming, cut the flower head off but do not cut the foliage. Bulbs will use the foliage to gather nutrients from the sun and store for the following seasons. Once the foliage has turned yellow or brown you can cut them to ground level.

With these tips, you can feel confident incorporating the beauty and awe of spring blooming bulbs into your landscape!

 

LAKE KOUNTRY INC. OFFERS A COMPLETE NURSERY/GARDEN CENTER FOR ALL YOUR GARDENING NEEDS JUST MINUTES FROM NEW RICHMOND, WI , SOMERSET, WI , AMERY, WI , OSCEOLA, WI AND ALL OF WESTERN WI! WE CARRY A FULL SELECTION OF ANNUALS, PERENNIALS, SHRUBS, TREES, WATER PLANTS AND TROPICALS!

Tips for Container Gardening

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container-gardening

CONTAINER GARDENING

Container gardening is fun and easy…let your creative talents flow!  First choose a container – it can be plastic, ceramic, terra cotta – even an old hat or boot will do!  Let your imagination soar as you think of your color scheme and where your pot will be placed (sun or shade).  Tropicals like cannas, elephant ears and even hibiscus or lantana trees can be combined with annuals for a beautiful and unique look!  LAKE KOUNTRY, INC. carries a full selection of tropicals – plus many of your newly planted containers can be easily brought in for the winter months!

WATER PLANTS also make a wonderful container garden!  LAKE KOUNTRY, INC. carries a complete selection of water plants – you simply need to choose a container that will hold water!

 

 

Potted FlowersPLANTING A LOW MAINTENANCE POT/CONTAINER/CEMETARY URN

– Choose annuals that are heat and drought resistant (see list below).  Many different combinations are possible, but most people like to choose plants from all 3 categories.

– Ensure that the container is large enough to accommodate the plants that you’re choosing.  Don’t overcrowd the plants as they need room to grow in order to thrive.

– Placing a coffee filter over the drainage hole on the bottom of the pot helps to keep moisture in the container longer.  It also works well to add mulch in the bottom of larger containers before the soil is added to decrease the weight of the pot, especially if the container is to be placed in an urn stand.

– Use a soil mixture that increases the soil’s ability to hold water and nutrients.  Moisture control soil is ideal, or regular potting soil with a moisture retention product such as Soil Moist added works well.  Soil Moist mats are also available. The potting soil mixture should also contain a slow release fertilizer.

– Place a layer of mulch on the top of the pot to help maintain soil moisture.  Don’t fill the container all the way to the top; leaving 1-2 inches will avoid accidental water run-off from a quick rain or hand water.

– Even though plants might be heat and drought resistant, a consistent watering program is still necessary.  Containers should be slowly and thoroughly watered.

 

TRAILING PLANTS                            FILLERS/FOLIAGE                                             FLOWERING VARIETIES

Vinca Vine                                           Dracena (Green Spike)                                  Geraniums          Petunias

Licorice Plant                                      Cortyline (Burgundy Spike)                          Marigolds            Verbena

Sweet Potato Vine                          Ornamental Grasses                                       Angelonia            Zinnia

Moss Roses                                        Asparagus Fern                                                 Bidens                  Vinca

Wave Petunias                                  Coleus for Sun                                                   Lantana                                Ageratum

Ivy Geraniums                                   Dusty Miller                                                        Fibrous Begonias

 

After your new container is planted, you may want to add a final touch.  LAKE KOUNTRY, INC.’s GIFT/GARDEN CENTER is brimming with beautiful garden stakes and accent pieces to give your work of art a truly personalized touch!  Stop out today…we’re anxious to help you create an amazing “living work of art”!

LAKE KOUNTRY, INC. offers CEMETARY URN SERVICES to all local cemetaries in New Richmond, WI, Somerset, WI, Osceola, WI and Amery, WI as well as other surrounding areas.  We plant and deliver the urn before Memorial Day, then pick up the urn and store it in the fall.  Contact us for further details.

 

LAKE KOUNTRY INC., HAS A COMPLETE NURSERY/GARDEN CENTER LOCATED JUST MINUTES FROM NEW RICHMOND, WI , AMERY, WI , SOMERSET, WI , OSCEOLA, WI AND ALL OF WESTERN WI.  WE CARRY A FULL SELECTION OF ANNUALS, PERENNIALS, SHRUBS, TREES, WATER PLANTS, TROPICALS!