How to Care for Jonquils

Grow jonquils in a sunny spot where they will get at least six hours of sunlight. Grow them in soil with good water drainage. Improve drainage by tilling the soil 10 to 12 inches deep and incorporating sand, compost or peat, or plant jonquils in a raised garden bed.

Pull the jonquil foliage off in the late summer or early fall, ideally waiting until after it begins to turn yellow. Waiting at least eight weeks after the jonquils are finished blooming to pull off the foliage will suffice. Remember that the plants are absorbing sunlight into the green foliage and converting it into energy, which they store in their bulbs for the next year.

Water jonquils during times of drought with approximately 1 inch of water. Remember to water jonquils after planting in the fall as they prepare for winter, as well as one to two times per week in the spring before, during and after they bloom --- especially if it's been a dry spring.

Lay a couple inches of mulch, such as wood chips, to inhibit water evaporation and prevent the soil from fluctuating too much, both in the summer and winter.

Fertilize jonquils every spring simply by sprinkling a handful of bulb fertilizer around each plant but without getting any on the leaves. When first preparing your planting bed, mix in 2 to 3 lbs. of fertilizer per 100 square feet using a fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 1:3:3 or 1:4:4, such as one labeled 6:24:24.