This Season
in Gardening

Just one of dozens of varieties of allium you could plant this fall.

You won't find tulips like these at a box store.

Or these.

These miniature irises couldn't wait for spring.

A Word from Mike about Planting Spring Bulbs

 

I often say that spring blooming bulbs are like a magic trick. You put them in the ground, wait through the winter and Voila! Beautiful blooms when the winter ends. It's almost not fair to call it gardening because it's so easy. Okay, maybe digging two or three hundred holes in your yard in order to have a beautiful display in the springs isn't your idea of "easy." But if you're willing to put in the effort, you will be glad you did.

Now is the time to get out there and get your bulbs, while they are still in plentiful supply. While you can get great deals at the box stores, they quickly sell out of the more interesting items. That's why I suggest you visit your local independent garden centers, which have much, much more in stock than the usual suspects. Here in Chicago , those are places like Sid's on the south side, Grand Street Gardens in the central area, and Fertile Gardens , Gethsemane Garden Center and the Chalet on the north side. Of course, there are many, many more. You can find a list at the Chicagoland Gardening Magazine site. Look for the Lawn and Garden directory on the home page. While you're there, check out, my column for this issue is at.

Most people go for the traditional favorites like tulips, daffodils and crocuses. While those are wonderful, there are many, many more types that will bring you great pleasure. Some of the ones I recommend are alliums, glory-of-the-snow, the large and small fritillarias (the large ones are spectacular and smell a little bit like skunk--which keeps them from being touched by squirrels), snowdrops, Dutch hybrid irises and grape hyacinths . If you're really interested in bulbs that your neighbors don't have, you need to log onto Old House Gardens. They deal in heirloom bulbs, those plants that have been around for centuries but have, in many cases, fallen out of favor and are in danger of becoming extinct. Check out their catalog. You might end up buying some bulbs that were also planted by Thomas Jefferson.

By the way, you can get them in the ground pretty much anytime before the ground freezes. In fact, I have been known to plant bulbs in the middle of January. However, I don't advise it because bulbs like to have a chance to form some roots in the fall while the ground still has some warmth. So while you might get away with waiting until the last second, chances are that your display might not be as lovely. Hey, if you're spending top--or even bottom--dollar for bulbs, you might as well plant them correctly.

On that note, here are several websites that will help you get it done right. The first one, from Illinois Extension, is particularly good.

http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/bulbs/
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-Fact/1000/1237.html
http://gardening.about.com/od/floweringbulbs/ht/PlantBulbs.htm
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/champaign/homeowners/041002.html
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/springbulbs.html