January planting - Ask Extension
Can I plant any spring or summer flowing bulbs this month. Or it too late? I live in a nursing home in Lebanon and garding is must for me to keep ...
Knowledgebase
January planting #891437
Asked January 09, 2025, 3:57 PM EST
Can I plant any spring or summer flowing bulbs this month. Or it too late? I live in a nursing home in Lebanon and garding is must for me to keep up my mood. The planting area has good well draining soil iñ full sun, it does have young tree a few feet away that never has leaves on it.
So whàt do you think?
Tim mixed
tjmizé50@gm. Com<personal data hidden>
Linn County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Tim,
Absolutely, plant away. There are several things that will help you enjoy these flowers this spring.
First check the bulbs for blue mold, while this can hamper or even stop bulbs from blooming if there is just a little on them wash them in hydrogen peroxide. Just dip them and let them stay for a few minutes; take them out, wipe off the mold.
Make sure the bulbs are hard, not that you have to crush them just hard to the touch. Soft bulbs are decaying and will not bloom.
Next, make sure the area you wish to plant in is free of weeds. The weeds will take nutrients away from your flowers this spring when the bulbs produce roots.
If you purchased bulbs with planting instructions, follow the instructions for depth to plant the bulb and how far apart they should be planted. Most bulbs will reproduce new bulbs every year and some will naturalize meaning more and more will show up every year. Spread them out so there is room for more bulbs. Daffodils do this all the time.
Tulips while so pretty, are likely to only last a couple of years and the rodents love to eat these bulbs, which is another reason they do not last. Deer also love them if you have any around.
Daffodils and alliums (onion family) are generally left alone by both rodents and deer.
After planting the bulbs find some leaves or have someone bring in some straw to cover the area. With our rainy season still upon us, it will protect the soil from washing away if you have a mulch over the flower bed.
Enjoy the planting as well as seeing the blooms this spring.
Absolutely, plant away. There are several things that will help you enjoy these flowers this spring.
First check the bulbs for blue mold, while this can hamper or even stop bulbs from blooming if there is just a little on them wash them in hydrogen peroxide. Just dip them and let them stay for a few minutes; take them out, wipe off the mold.
Make sure the bulbs are hard, not that you have to crush them just hard to the touch. Soft bulbs are decaying and will not bloom.
Next, make sure the area you wish to plant in is free of weeds. The weeds will take nutrients away from your flowers this spring when the bulbs produce roots.
If you purchased bulbs with planting instructions, follow the instructions for depth to plant the bulb and how far apart they should be planted. Most bulbs will reproduce new bulbs every year and some will naturalize meaning more and more will show up every year. Spread them out so there is room for more bulbs. Daffodils do this all the time.
Tulips while so pretty, are likely to only last a couple of years and the rodents love to eat these bulbs, which is another reason they do not last. Deer also love them if you have any around.
Daffodils and alliums (onion family) are generally left alone by both rodents and deer.
After planting the bulbs find some leaves or have someone bring in some straw to cover the area. With our rainy season still upon us, it will protect the soil from washing away if you have a mulch over the flower bed.
Enjoy the planting as well as seeing the blooms this spring.