Bulbs

Fall is the only time you should plant spring bulbs as they must be cold vernalized in order to produce a flower. Bulbs like the soil temperature to be between 40-50 degrees when planted. In Maryland this usually hits late Sept – Mid to late November. Waiting until after the first frost never hurts.

Bulbs prefer full to part sun – at least 5-6 hours, adequate drainage, and protection from squirrels.

Work up the soil and add some soil amendment to help bulb roots get a start. Layout bulbs, keeping in mind clumping or random dense scattering looks best. A rule of thumb is to dig the hole 2-3 times the diameter of the bulb in depth. Place a bulb in the hole roots down, pointy end up. If you cannot tell, place the bulb on its side and it will grow correctly.

Use a bulb-tone type fertilizer as too much nitrogen can diminish blooms.

Bulbs we carry – varieties:

Tulips – Tarda, Triumph, and Darwin

Narcissus – Poeticus, Double, Jonquil, and Daffodil

Lycoris

Crocus

Hyacinth

Muscari – grape hyacinth

Snow Drops – Leucojum and Galanthus

Camassia

The Mill also carries Paperwhites, and Amaryllis for indoor planting.

Also in Lawn & Garden Blog

Fruit Trees

Fruit trees are best planted in early spring so that they develop a good root to shoot ratio prior to hot weather. Many in the trade try to get their fruit trees stocked by mid- February so they do not break bud if coming from a nursery in a different zone.

Hellebores

Hellebores are winter hardy evergreen shade perennials that bloom late winter in colors ranging from pure white to pastel green to deep purple.

Fruit Trees, Bulbs, and Vernalization

Fruit trees require vernalization which is a period of cold exposure needed to set buds and produce fruit. Trees harden off by relocating soluble water into their tissue and mobilizing proteins and plant alcohols to the leaf surface that will form a natural anti-freeze.