NEIGHBORHOOD GARDEN FOR JANUARY 16, 2016

NEIGHBORHOOD GARDEN FOR JANUARY 16, 2016

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GARDENING IN JANUARY PART #2

BY GEORGE EDGAR

1. FORGOTTEN TULIP AND DAFFODIL BULBS

Did you forget to plant your tulip and/or daffodil bulbs? Did you find some in the garage or basement that got misplaced? What is the best place to store them?

First, check to make sure the bulbs are ok and not starting to rot. If the bulbs are soft or mushy put them in the compost. If the bulbs are hard and firm, the best place to store is in the ground if you can break through the frozen soil. Plant the tulips 8 to 10 inches deep and daffodil bulbs 5 to 7 inches deep. Sometimes I have layered my tulip, daffodil, and crocus bulbs. I plant a tulip bulb about 9 to 10 inches deep, put about 1-2 inches of soil over them and then a daffodil bulb on top. I then add another 1-2 inches of soil and plant a crocus bulb. The crocus comes up first, blooms, then the daffodil, and then the tulip. If you have limited space this works very well. Fertilize with bone meal worked into the bottom of the hole. Water, then put compost, straw, or mulch over the top. Planted this late they will have a long enough cold time to bloom this spring. Even if they do not bloom the first year, they will store better in the ground than in your basement or garage.

If the tulip bulbs have been kept cold (below 45 degrees) for a minimum of 10 to 12 weeks without freezing, you can put them in a pot and force them to bloom inside. In a pot they can be planted very close together and then be put in the ground in the late spring. After they bloom, be sure and leave the leaves on them as long as possible so photosynthesis can restore energy to the bulb. After forced blooming it will take at least two to three years to restore the energy in the bulb so they can bloom again.

If the bulbs are firm but have not been kept that cold, and you can’t put them in the ground, then the best place is in a large pot or a container of peat moss. Store in a cool location (no higher than 60 to 65 degrees F.) and then put out in the garden next spring. They may come up but probably will not bloom.

2. “Always read the label and Always follow label directions.”

This quote can not be attributed to any one person as I hear it quite often from many experts. Protect your plants, the environment, and yourself.

A. Always read the label on any product before using in the garden, on the lawn, on trees and shrubs, on your houseplants, etc. Make sure you are using the product only on the recommended plants. If you are not sure, ask a plant expert or go on line and see what is recommended for that plant.

B. Always follow the label directions.

· If the label says mix 2 ounces in a gallon of water, do not put in 3 or 4 ounces.

· If the label says apply 5 pounds per 1000 square feet, do not put on 8 or 10 pounds per 1000 square feet.

· More is not always better and probably will be worse than nothing, and can harm your plant.

“Always read the label and follow label Directions.