planting bulbs - Ask Extension
My tulip bulbs say to plant 5" deep. The area I want to use has 3" of mulch covering it. Do i take into account the mulch when digging down ...
Knowledgebase
planting bulbs #772666
Asked September 22, 2021, 11:32 AM EDT
My tulip bulbs say to plant 5" deep. The area I want to use has 3" of mulch covering it. Do i take into account the mulch when digging down to plant the bulbs - go 2" under the soil, or go 5" and disregsrd the much depth?
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
You'll be interested in this study from Cornell which found that bulbs planted in mulch fared just as well as when planted in the ground. See https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2011/10/researcher-offers-toil-free-tip-plant-tulips
In Minnesota, however, it's best to plant the bulbs in the soil. Place them at the depth recommended, and then replace your mulch. Do not consider the mulch as part of the depth requirement. The mulch prevents temperature fluctuations and heaving. See this worksheet on planting bulbs in Minnesota: https://extension.umn.edu/how/planting-bulbs-tubers-and-rhizomes#planting-depth-and-spacing-1410663
