Finally Planted Bulbs

17 years ago

Well, my order from Brecks arrived a couple of weeks ago, and I finally had time to go out and plant everything. Heres what I planted:

Daffodils

5 White Lion

5 Rosy Cloud

5 Tahiti

10 Rip van Winkle

12 Tete A Tete

12 Giant Jonquils for Naturalizing

Tulips

12 Darwin - Red Dynasty

Hyacinths

25 Mixed Grape Hyacinths

5 Blue Jacket

Alliums

5 Persian Blue

Originally, I planned to plant them in gardens both front and back, but decided to plant all of them in the new garden created in front of the new deck that went in front of the new addition. Some of the daffodils also went along a small stone wall, which I think will look nice in the spring.

I bought a Hound Dog Bulb Planter, the long one you stand on to create the hole and that opens with a squeeze of the handle to release the dirt. It worked great, and I was going to highly recommend it, until I got to the last five bulbs, when the handle snapped off. Unlike the rest of the gardens, the soil in this location is very compacted as a result of all the excavation for the foundation and drainage pipes and the subsequent backfilling and packing by the excavation equipment. I was wiggling the bulb planter back and forth to get it to penetrate and the handle finally snapped. In looking at the design it appears that the handle is only held on by a simple riveted bolt so that squeezing it presses down on a spring in the shaft that opens the business end to release the dirt (which does NOT come out easily with the jaws closed). I think I can run a bolt through the handle and shaft and secure it with a nut and washer, but that remains to be seen. Since I bought the thing at HD well over a month ago, I canÂt return it, and even if I could, I know IÂll never find the receipt. So, if you have one of these tools, be sure not to torque the handle from side to side or you will eventually break it.

Anyway, I got 96 (thatÂs NINETY SIX) bulbs in the ground yesterday. I know thatÂs a drop in the bucket to most of you, but it was a lot to me. Also, there were way more than 25 grape hyacinths, since little bulbs had come off from the parents, and most of the hyacinths had multiple side bulbs. All of the bulbs seemed big and healthy (not that I know anything about bulbs) IÂm just excited that I got to the project before the ground froze. Most of the bulbs are concentrated in one area, and I am looking forward to the show next spring. If it comes off as nice as I hope, then next fall IÂll go hog wild and plant more in the main garden and maybe in a few other places, as well.

I have to thank those of you who, earlier in the season, gave me an education in bulbs, especially tulips. Thanks to yaÂll, I only bought Darwin hybrids, since they are supposed to come back strong every year. And, IÂve planted a range of bulb types to extend the season. Now, if only the squirrels will leave them in the ground, and if only the deer wonÂt eat the buds the day before they openÂÂ

On Saturday I raked the leaves out of about 1,000 ft of drainage ditches on either side of my drive before regrading it one last time (then dropped the York rake and put it to bed, so I can mount the sub-frame and snowblower to the tractor in a couple of weeks along with, ugh, the tire chains), and Sunday planted the bulbs. Today, I am sore, but happy to have actually accomplished some work outside this weekend. It had been too long.

narcnh

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Comments (9)

diggingthedirt
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow, congratulations on getting the bulbs planted. Many of them will multiply for you, so you won't need to keep buying them - certainly the daffs and the grape hyacinths. Of course, we don't have deer here, and most of the squirrels have been chased off or eaten by coyotes in my neck of the woods; your mileage may vary. I *have* had problems with squirrels and tulips, and sadly, even the Darwins don't last forever - for me anyway.

I've been wondering if it's too late for a couple similar projects - like moving peonies. I think the ground is too wet in my yard for me to do much of anything that involves digging, so just about all the unfinished fall chores will probably have to be left undone for another year.

Can you mulch those babies? Not to keep them warm, but maybe to try to help loosen the soil over time. It seems to be the easy way to begin to restore the tilth after an area has been compacted.
narcnh
Original Author
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Hi DITD,

I planned to have 10 or 20 cubic yards of mulch delivered this summer to take care of the new space and some of the other gardens, but never got around to it. It is now a spring project. Later than I intended, but the space definitely will get mulched. In the meantime, I think the winter freeze thaw cycle around here will help to start loosening up that soil, especially since the ground is so wet this year heading into winter. In the spring all my soil is very soft after the final thaw. It is the perfect time to roll the lawn to try to level uneven areas (like old mole hills). Of course, I never get to that project, either.

narcnh
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claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
narcnh said: "In the spring all my soil is very soft after the final thaw. It is the perfect time to roll the lawn to try to level uneven areas (like old mole hills). Of course, I never get to that project, either."

Maybe this would be a good thread for the winter doldrums -"Projects I never got around to doing, but will next year. Really."

Claire
ego45
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
WTG...and what to expect in a spring,

Tahiti

White Lion
narcnh
Original Author
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Cool, ego, thanks!

Claire, see new thread.

narcnh
sedum37
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
After planting all my bulbs, I told myself I wasn't going to buy anymore in the clearance sales going on now. Of course it is taking all my will power not to buy any 'Tahaiti' that are on sale for 25% off on Brent and Becky's web site after seeing George's lovely photos!

Sue
ego45
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Sue, I don't know if VanEngelen still have them at 20% off, but VE daffs bulbs will be superior of the same of B&B, granted.
sedum37
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
George you enabler you! But alas Tahiti is sold out at VE. I ordered from John Scheepers earlier this fall (at the regular prices) and was very pleased with the quality! Top sized bulbs and fair prices I thought. (FYI: for people not familiar, John Scheepers and Van Engelen are the same company, VE supplies larger quantities however).

Sue
diggingthedirt
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I really thought I was *done* with gardening for the season, but a so-called friend stopped by with a gigantic clump of bunny grass, Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Little Bunny'.

Of course I had to divide it, then dig up a swath of lawn to plant it. We're expecting near-freezing temperatures tonight, but I guess I had no choice in the matter. I put bark mulch on the new bed, and will keep my fingers crossed. This looks like an interesting edging plant, though I admit I would probably not have bought it myself, not being too familiar with hardy grasses.

Is anyone else carrying on like this, or am the last person in NE still digging and planting?

Finally Planted Bulbs

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Finally Planted Bulbs

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