In love with lilies?Envious of your neighbor’s daffodils? April is the time to plant bulbs for South Texas and while bulbs seem to be a straightforward there are a few useful pieces of information to keep in mind when planting bulbs.

Let’s take a minute to review what a bulb is. While most plants are grown from seeds or root clippings some grow from bulbs. These bulbs hold the fledgling plant inside and come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and some famous bulbs include the iris, dahlia and lily. Bulbs do make a more common appearance in day to day life in the forms of onions and garlic as one of the most common bulb plants that we come in contact with.

Preparing bulbs starts before you even pick up the bulbs from the store. Check your soil for the proper levels of nutrients and composition. Most bulb plants do not respond well to soils that are too acidic or basic. Check the pH level of your soil and try to keep it between 6 and 7 to maintain your flowering bulb’s color. While bulbs can be hearty: it’s best to plant them securely after any risk of frost; but frost is not much of a concern for us in South Texas. Once you decide on the bulbs you’re after from narcissus flowers to irises check your prospective bulbs for mold and or excessive dark  spots: not all bulbs look very pretty on the outside and can be prone to some superficial scratches and spots that are more than normal.

Summer bulbs should be planted within the season they are purchased so don’t keep them out of the ground for long. Bulbs need to be planted in holes that are surprisingly deep for their size: an auger is the best tool for digging precise and uniform holes with ease. Set the bulbs in the holes and cover them with dirt. Water them more than you think you should: bulbs love water and need a lot of it to grow properly.

Planting your bulbs in the Spring while the weather is mild and they can get plenty of water. Bulbs bloom at different times depending on the variety but some are likely to be in full bloom by Summer if soil conditions are right and they are watered properly. Tending to bulbs are a more than worthwhile invest for a beautiful Summer and Late Fall garden and when you’re ready to lay down bulbs of your own: visit Milberger’s Nursery to find the bulbs you need.

Note: Due to the nature of our native soil, some bulbs may not grow as they normally would. Please consult a Milberger’s Garden Expert to find out more about planting for your particular soil type.