Primer Bulb Instructions

Plant spring-blooming bulbs in the fall for an early, colorful display in your garden the next spring. Bulbs that bloom in the spring include tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, allium and crocuses. Plant your bulbs in the fall when the soil temperature is below 60 degrees. Select a sunny location for your bulb garden with well-drained soil. Planting a variety of bulb types and colors will make your garden visually appealing. With a little guidance, children can help you plant bulbs.

• 1
  Use a trowel to make small holes for bulbs. Digging in the garden image by dquinnan from Fotolia.com

  Dig holes with your trowel or shovel to the depth recommended on the bulb package. Generally, dig to a depth of two to three times the height of the bulb, as measured with a ruler from the bottom of the hole. You can dig individual holes or one large hole.

• 2
  The point marks the top of the bulb. amstertulip15 image by Jaume Felipe from Fotolia.com

  Place a bulb in the bottom of each hole, pointy side up. If you dug a large hole, place several bulbs in the hole, spacing them according to the directions on the package.

• 3

  Cover the bulb with soil to a level even with the surrounding ground. Pat the soil down firmly over the bulb.

• 4

  Water your newly planted bulbs immediately after planting to get them growing.

• 5

  Apply a layer of mulch over the top of your bulbs after the first hard frost. This keeps the bulbs from heaving--or pushing up out of the ground--when it freezes and thaws during the winter.

• 6

  Fertilize your planting bed the following fall to maintain the health of your bulbs. Use a balanced garden fertilizer, such as 10-10-10.