By Mary Jo Baur
The time is coming to think about what hardy bulbs you might want to plant this fall. I love daffodils and have tons, but always want more. Tulips are lovely but usually only last for one year, so I prefer to invest in daffs which come up year after year. I usually order my bulbs from catalogs mainly because they have a much larger selection than you find at any local garden centers. My two favorite sources are Brent and Becky's, and John Scheepers. Check them out online at <http://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com> and <http://www.johnscheepers.com> . Both offer quality bulbs at fair prices. I have used them for years and never been disappointed.
Besides the much wider variety, their catalogs contain a wealth of horticultural information, such as the timing of blooms for spring bulbs, the kinds of conditions in which they will flourish, and gorgeous photos that make you want to order everything! One nice feature is if you order now, your bulbs will be shipped to you at the correct time for planting in our hardiness zone, which is generally late September and October.
You can plant bulbs any time in the fall as long as the ground has not yet frozen, but really--who wants to be out there in the cold of November on your knees in the wind and cold planting bulbs that you didn't get around to planting earlier? Dig a hole that is three times the depth of the bulb, so for daffodils you should dig down about 6 inches. If you are planting dozens at a time, don't bother with individual holes, just take a garden spade and dig out a large area. Drop the bulbs from a height and just plant them where they fall for a natural look. Please don't line them up like soldiers in a row. Now check out those websites and start planning for a wonderful, flower-filled spring.
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