By Kelli Delaney Kot, founder KDHamptons.com
Last spring the pandemic created a new generation of home gardeners who discovered that growing is good for the soul, and a record number will be back digging in the dirt in 2021.
If you haven’t joined the flower frenzy yet, now is the time as we enter into the spring planting season. Don’t worry if you’re late to the gardening game, you can achieve the most dramatic garden results with minimal effort by planting summer-blooming bulbs right now.
Flower bulbs are truly the most low-maintenance plants to work with. Bulb planting can start in April, just make sure to wait until the last risk of frost has passed. If cold temperatures persist, be patient and wait to plant — you have until the end of May.
Van Bloem Gardens and World of Choice are my favorite bulb suppliers. Each spring I plant a mix of bulbs in my garden beds and porch pots, including: Peonies, Calla Lilies, Dahlias, Foxglove, Phlox, Ranunculus, Hollyhock, and Oriental Poppies.
Some of these bulbs can survive the East End winters, but others are tender perennials and will only last for one summer . . . but I promise they’re still worth the show! So get growing and enjoy beautiful flowers all season long.
Three Simple Steps for Planting Bulbs:
Step 1
Use a trowel to dig a planting hole in ground or pots. Summer bulbs are planted at a depth twice as deep as the bulb is tall.
Step 2
Gently arrange bulbs four inches apart in loose soil with their “noses” pointed upward.
Step 3
Cover the bulbs with soil and water immediately after planting. Water as needed to keep soil moist as the season progresses.
Top Performance Tips:
1. Research blooming times for each variety to ensure you will have flowers all summer long.
2. Smaller garden bed? Bulbs can be planted in layers for continuous blooms. The largest bulbs should be planted the deepest, add a couple inches of soil, then plant the next size at the next depth level.
3. Summer bulbs look best when planted in clusters, as opposed to straight rows. If you’re using bulbs to skirt a walkway, plant in a staggered row for more eye appeal.
4. Fertilize with Jones Organic Bulb Food when their leaves are well out of the ground.
Where To Buy Bulbs:
• Fowlers Garden Center, 175 North Sea Road, Southampton
• Marders, 120 Snake Hollow Road, Bridgehampton
• Lowe’s, 1461 Old Country Rd, Riverhead
• Visit www.vanbloem.com
