Cover Your Lawn With Blooming Bulbs

Bulbs come in a variety of varieties and germinate effortlessly, making them a great addition to your yard or garden. You can also find bulbs that will bloom at different times during the growing season, adding a splash of color from spring through fall. Why not add a little quirkiness to the house and at the same time feed the bees by “naturalizing” the bulbs all over the lawn?

Let your bulbs go crazy

Bulbs often reproduce and spread on their own after planting. To “naturalize” them, that is, to allow them to reproduce without human intervention, you just need to plant a few bulbs and leave them alone. If you want to keep them in a specific location, you’ll need to weed out stray plants from time to time, but beyond that, adding flowers that sprout from the bulbs to your lawn is as easy as planting the first set.

Spread bulbs evenly

To get even distribution of flowers throughout the yard, it is recommended to use about ten bulbs per square foot of grass. You can let the pattern look more natural by dropping the light bulbs into the space you want to fill and then simply planting them where they fell. I like this method to ensure that the bulbs are dense enough to look good in their first year of germination, and also to leave room for new bulbs as the plants multiply.

Plant your bulbs at the right time of the year

Almost all bulbs should be planted in the fall after the soil temperature is stable around 55 degrees. The soil cools a little slower than the air, so the temperature should be about right if the air temperature has been at or below 50 degrees for at least two weeks. If you want plants that bloom in the summer, there are many varieties that can be planted in the spring when the danger of frost has passed. When choosing spring bulbs, be sure to consider the amount of time it will take for the bulb to grow leaves and bloom. Plants that bloom in spring will do better if the bulbs are in the ground by autumn.

Plant the flower bulbs deep enough

The bulbs should be planted at a depth of about 2.5 to 3 times their height to give them a good basis for growth. You can use a shovel to dig a hole for your bulbs, but if you’re planting a lot – like a whole lawn – then a bulb planter will come in handy. While some people will do a fine job of estimating the depth to which their bulbs should sink, if you’re unsure of your judging ability, a garden tool with measurement marks on the blade can help.

How to care for bulbs

Once your bulbs are in the ground, keep them well watered, but not so wet that the grass becomes spongy. Once they germinate for the first time, you won’t need to water them as much because the winter months allow them to accumulate liquid. Keep the foliage attached to the plant until it matures in late summer or fall.

Since the leaves are the bulb’s only source of nutrients from the sun, it’s important that the plants absorb as much as possible while the leaves are still green. As soon as they fade, turn yellow or brown, you can cut the leaves again. These maintenance tasks are all your bulbs need to thrive.