If you, like me, are constantly busy with work and everyday life, you may not have had a chance to plant your bulbs yet. Other tasks took priority, and now you remember all the things you didn't get done. So is it too late to plant your bulbs in December? The short answer is: No, it's not late at all! But there are a few things you should do to help late bloomers.
Planting flower bulbs in December – tips on how to do it right
Bulbs are typically planted in fall or spring, but in reality they can be put in the ground at any time as long as you can dig a hole. There are many types of bulbs you can plant in December including lilies, hyacinths, daffodils and tulips, and these are just a few. Although each plant is different, you can generally grow them in the same way, but you should always follow the instructions that come with each bulb.
Step 1: If possible, plant your bulbs in early winter. You cannot plant them if the ground is frozen. If this is the case, place the bulbs in a thick plastic bag available at your home and garden store. Then store the flower bulbs in a cool, dark and dry place, such as your garage. However, plant them as soon as possible if you can successfully dig holes.
Step 2: Plant the bulbs about 8 to 15 cm apart, depending on the type. Tulips and daffodils, for example, spread and grow quickly and should be planted about 25cm apart, while crocuses and snowdrops should be planted just 8cm apart.
Step 3: Plan your onions together in groups. You can even mix different varieties. Place smaller growing plants at the front and larger ones at the back.
Planting flower bulbs in winter – Also follow the following steps
Step 4: Dig holes about 12cm deep for small bulbs and 20cm deep for large bulbs. The diameter of the hole should be twice the size of the bulb.
Step 5: Place the flower bulbs in the soil with the pointed end facing upwards. This is the end from which the sprout will grow.
Step 6: Mix some compost or peat moss into the soil you just dug up. Cover the bulbs with this new potting mix. Tamp the soil firmly with your hands to avoid air pockets.
Step 7: Cover the area with mulch. A few inches of mulch in the soil will keep the bulbs warm until spring. You may then see the green shoots begin to sprout and flower soon after. If not, they should bloom next season.
However, when is the best time to plant flower bulbs?Find out here!
From planting to flowering – how much time do onions need
As a general rule, bulbs intended to bloom in the first few months of the year should ideally be planted about six weeks or more before the ground hardens with the first frosts. However, onions are spectacularly resilient. If they are firm and plump, stored properly, and planted in soil that can still be dug, you will likely be rewarded with blooms for several months after planting. Even if you plant the bulbs in the new year, you will often be rewarded with a display of flowers.
It's important to plant your bulbs as soon as possible because if you leave them out of the ground all winter, they could die. They are even better off in frosty ground than in a bag in the shed.
Planting flower bulbs in pots – what should you pay attention to?
Bulbs planted in pots are more sensitive to frost than those planted in the ground. Covering your pots with bubble wrap is the best way to protect them from frost. But if that's too much trouble for you, you can also place them under a covered area or an evergreen hedge.
Bulbs in pots need some water over the winter, but don't overwater. The soil should not remain wet. If you planted your pots too late, store them in a shed or garage, water them a little once a month, then move them outside in the spring. If you don't want to keep the bulbs in the pot, you can move them to a location in your garden after they sprout.
Conclusion: Take your chance! In any case, you're better off planting the bulbs even in December - either in the ground or in a cooled pot - than leaving them to rot in the garage or closet. Nature intended flower bulbs to survive. Every year stories are told of bulbs planted in the most unlikely circumstances and then blooming.
Which flower bulbs should you plant in spring? Thefind out here!
