How to Prepare Flower Beds for Bulbs

Planting flower bulbs adds simple, long-lasting color to the landscape, as once planted, bulbs require very little care. Spring-blooming bulbs such as daffodils, crocus, hyacinths and tulips are eagerly anticipated after a long, dark winter. Iris, caladium, gladiolus or lily will provide color during the summer and early autumn. Take time to prepare the soil for your bulbs, and you'll be rewarded with years of vigorous, colorful blooms.

Garden fork, spade or rototiller
Compost or well-aged animal manure
Balanced fertilizer or bulb fertilizer
Rake

Instructions

- 1
  Select an appropriate location for your bulbs. Most spring bulbs require at least six hours of full sunlight per day. While most summer bulbs require full sunlight, some bulbs will do best in partial shade. Select a spot where water doesn't stand on the soil after a rainfall.
- 2
  Cultivate the soil in the planting area to a depth of 12 to 18 inches, using a garden fork, spade or rototiller.
- 3
  Improve soil quality and drainage by adding organic material such as compost or well-aged animal manure. Use your spade or garden fork to dig the organic material into the top 8 to 10 inches of soil. Use approximately three to five bushels of organic material for every 100 square feet of planting area. Organic material will help provide rich soil for bulbs, but it is especially crucial in poorly draining soil.
- 4
  Mix a balanced fertilizer with a ratio such as 10-10-10 or 15-15-15 into the top 4 to 6 inches of soil. Alternatively, use a fertilizer formulated specifically for bulbs. Either will provide the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium needed to keep the bulbs healthy. Use approximately 1 pound of fertilizer per 100 square feet of planting area.
- 5
  Rake out any rocks, clumps, weeds or large dirt clods.

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