In the coldest months of January and February, you can bring Spring indoors early by "forcing" bulbs, or growing them in containers and it is not as difficult as you might think.
Some choices for indoor forcing include tulips, daffodils, crocus, hyacinths, narcissus and irises.
Things you will need:
- Pot or container with a drainage hole.
- Pebbles or shards of clay pottery.
- Potting soil.
- Bulbs
- Small label garden stake
Place pebbles or clay pottery shards over the drainage hole of your container. This not only prevents water draining too quickly but also gives the pot or container some weight and ballast so it won't tip over.
Fill the container halfway full with the potting mix.
Place bulbs in the container with the point-side facing upward. The points should be level with the top of the container. Place the bulbs as close together as possible without actually touching. Bulbs with a flat side, such as tulips, should be planted with the flat side facing the edge of the container.
Fill the pot with the remainder of the soil. Water the pot thoroughly.
Label a garden stake with the marker. Print the name of the bulb, date of the planting and the date to bring the pot out of cold
Store in a cool, dark place such as a spare refrigerator or garage for at least 2 months (60 days...90 days preferably to promote root development). Temperatures in your cold storage area should be consistently 40 degrees Fahrenheit. However, your bulbs should not freeze. Pots should be kept well watered.
Bring the potted bulbs inside when they are ready (at the end of the 60-90 day period).
Place the pots in a well-lit, well ventilated place where temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep bulbs well-watered as they grow.
Van Bourgondien Nursery also has paperwhites available for people who need more instant gratification. Paperwhites seem to grow right before your eyes and don't even have to be planted in soil. They can be planted in pebbles, marbles or just about anything and do not require drainage like other bulbs.
Nothing reminds us of Spring in the frigid cold of Winter like a flowering bulb.
Happy Gardening! |
