How to Plant a Spectacular Gladiolus

Start preparing the garden bed in fall. Work in 5 to 7 inches of compost to a depth of 12 inches. Rake the bed, and leave it for winter. In spring, weed the bed, and use a tiller to break up clods. Incorporate 2 lbs. of fertilizer per 100 square feet. Soil preparation is one of the most important components to producing spectacular gladiolus.

Perform a drainage test by digging a 2-foot-deep trench and filling it with water. Allow it to drain, and fill it again. If it drains in two hours, your drainage is fine. If it doesn't, you will need to add some grit. Mix in 4 inches of sand to a depth of 8 to 12 inches.

Plant the corms from May through June, in a succession of sowings every two weeks so the flower display is staggered for a consistent showing. Place groups of at least seven together for the best impact. Plant corms 6 inches deep and 6 inches apart with 18 inches between rows. Place the corms in the holes with the pointed side up.

Stake the plants if they become too heavy. Apply 1 inch of moisture per week to your gladiolus bed. Sidedress the plants with an organic mulch to a depth of 2 inches to prevent weeds and conserve moisture.

Harvest when one to three flowers are open per stem. Cut the stems on a diagonal in the morning to get the freshest, longest lasting blooms. Retain several leaves to help feed the stem. Gladiolas will last at least a week if the water is changed every day and 1/4 inch of the stem is cut off every two or three days.