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Kathy’s Garden Writing |
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COLORFUL BULBS FOR WINTER BLUES Don’t forget to purchase bulbs for fall planting while supplies last. And for a real treat, buy some extras to force indoors. Come late winter, you’ll be glad you did! Many gardeners undertake all sorts of complicated projects, from topiary to water gardens. But the relatively simple task of starting bulbs indoors for winter bloom is often feared. Here are some instructions to prove that this is indeed not rocket science. First, start with good quality bulbs, best found through catalogues or on-line. Try Brent and Becky’s Bulbs (brentandbeckysbulbs.com or 877-661-2852) for some unusual varieties. And check out Old House Gardens (oldhousegardens.com or 734-995-1486) for a wonderful selection of heirloom bulbs. We’ve probably all grown paperwhite narcissus and amaryllis to grace our holiday décor. These of course are extremely easy because they don’t require a period of cold treatment. Just follow the instructions included with your purchase. But did you know that many spring-blooming bulbs can be forced indoors in winter, with just a little foresight? How about a windowsill of tulips or daffodils or heavenly-scented hyacinths? Or go miniature with grape hyacinths, crocus, or scillas. As soon as the bulbs arrive, usually in October, pot them up. Choose a clean clay or plastic pot with drainage holes. Fill part way with a loose soil mix – one designed just for bulbs is best, or combine potting soil with a little peat moss and sand. Arrange the bulbs on the soil mix, close together, with the “nose” facing up and the flat side turned to the side of the pot. Finish filling the container, leaving the bulb “noses” exposed. Water and keep moist throughout. Now here’s the trick! Store the pots in a cold dark place – 40 to 50 degrees -- for at least 12 weeks. Don’t let the bulbs freeze or undergo drastic temperature changes. If you have an unheated garage or basement, this should serve. Or try the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator, with an aerated plastic bag to retain moisture. Next the fun begins. Bring your cold-treated bulbs out of storage, first to a cool sunny place until the shoots and leaves appear. Then move to a warmer area, and voilá, a flower garden to delight the senses. You can force one pot at a time, for a continuous supply of bloom. Or celebrate a special occasion with a floral blitz, by forcing all your pots at once (most bulbs take three to four weeks to flower after removed from cold storage, so you do the math). And another idea: give a pot of bulbs to a special friend for Valentine’s Day or a birthday or even as a get-well gift. Your thoughtfulness will truly “say it with flowers.” So don’t cower at the thought of forcing bulbs for winter cheer. As you make your preparations, just imagine the delight of tending a rainbow of flowers in the comfort of your home, as the snow flies and the wind howls. Winter blues – be gone! Kathleen Arcuri Published September 7, 2008 -- The Danville Daily Item |