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Sunday, October 21, 2007

Big Box Bulbs

I am so not excited about planting these...I got these a couple of weeks ago at Costco. They were a great deal at around 13 bucks for each bag. I gotta say I'm only buying bulbs to keep up with the Joneses. What's to like about planting 150 bulbs? Truth is, the only reason I bought bulbs is because if I didnt plant any, knowing me, next spring when all you gardening bloggers are bragging and showing off pictures of your flowers, I'd be cursing myself for being lazy and not planting any. I chose the pink Daffodil mix because Daffodils remind me of my grandma. Mr. W chose the Tulips.

In other bulb news, I went to the Chicago Botanic Garden today with GB and got a few things...
  • Navarra Lily
  • Stargazer Lily
  • Rhine Wine Daffodil

Anybody wanna plant some bulbs?

11 comments:

  1. Gina,

    Those daffodils are great. I prefer them over tulips, really, because they are much more reliable bloomers and the squirrels don't eat them.

    I know 150 bulbs sounds like a lot but take it one step at a time. You'd probably be interested in a bulb digging attachment you can put on the end of your drill to dig holes. I can see you out in your blue crocs with the drill making short work of planting those bulbs.

    Keep thinking about Spring and all those beautiful bulbs in bloom that you get to brag about.

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  2. I try to add a few more bulbs to my garden every year. This week I planted 'Pink Charm' daffodils, 2 kinds of alliums, and a few tulips.
    I don't find planting them to be much fun, and I usually end up mud from head to toe.... but come spring, the reward of blooms makes it soooo worthwhile!

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  3. In the spring you will be so glad you did. The Daffs are one of the first bloomers and after a long cold winter they really cheer me up. And tulips are one of my favorite flowers, bar none.

    I'm not spending any money on them this year but next year look out!

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  4. Good for you, Gina. Now, here's another tip; if you've got the room in your beds, and where you're starting out you do, dig a largish (12 inch wide) hole about 6-8 inches deep, and tuck as many bulbs into the hole as you can (use an uneven number like 7 or 9, and can be close but shouldn't touch one another is all) and fill the hole back in. This way you can quickly plant 5 or six dozen bulbs without having to poke individual holes in the ground with a dibble, an auger or a bulb planter.
    The other thing to remember--if you don't get to planting these right away, store them in a cool, dry place, but NOT near any fruit such as apples. Fruit gives off a gas that kills embryonic flowers in bulbs.
    You'll be so pleased with yourself come spring, to have all these happy colours popping up!

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  5. Ditto what Jodi wrote, and also if the space where you want to put the bulbs is tight, what Carolyn Gail wrote. You'll have them planted in no time at all, and be out buying more bulbs once you see how easy it is. In fact, go get some crocus bulbs so you will have something blooming earlier than daffodils and tulips. You'll be glad you did!

    Carol at May Dreams Gardens

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  6. Oh ,bulbs are terrific! Your pinky daffs are very lovely and I like the purple/white tulip mix a lot. I have to agree with what everyone else has said. You'll be surprised to find that 150 bulbs don't go very far. But it is a good start. Make sure you put them in little, odd numbered groups. They will look fuller and lusher that way. As Carol said, get some "little bulbs" as they are called - scilla, crocus, glory of the snow, and grape hycinth. They are so tiny and precious and you'll love them. Your lily choices are excellent and you'll be really pleased with them. And I also buy more bulbs every year. Can't have too many of them!

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  7. Wow, that a great haul of bulbs. 13.00 is a great price around here they are selling a bag of 10 for 8 dollars or more.

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  8. Gina, I am so with you. I was so excited to buy the bulbs and after I planted 3 of them, I was just digging random holes to get those suckers in there somehow. if they bloom next spring, it'll be a miracle. I don't have the patience for digging small deep holes.

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  9. Gina, I know exactly what you mean. I was like that last year. I hated every second of that bulb planting. And now here I am this year, wanting to buy bulbs again but not looking forward to planting them. But like you, I know I'll be glad I did next spring.

    It's not like I don't have any spring bulbs, but I always want more. They're so cheery after a long cold winter!

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  10. I have to say, you're right. Every year I look at the snowdrops and tulips and everything else in my neighbor's yards (and magazines, and blogs) and wonder why in the heck I didn't get around to planting any of those in the fall. And then I plan to rectify that situation next fall... and then next fall comes and goes... :) It's a vicious cycle!

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  11. Thank you all for your tips and comments! They are as appreciated as always ;)

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