Blog: Size Does Matter!

September and October are transition times in the garden. Now that cool evenings are upon us, cool season flowers like pansies, ornamental kale and mums are planted. It is also time to plant spring-blooming bulbs. Regardless of your garden size, there is room for spring-blooming flowers.  

I particularly enjoy the emergence of Grape Hyacinth (Muscari). Although not fragrant like their larger cousins, the sight of these tidy purple clusters of small flower stalks bring a garden to life.

Daffodils are a spring staple, and very reliable perennials.  Another bonus is they are poisonous to deer and rabbits which means they thrive. 

A few tips:

• Plant bulbs with the pointy end up and the fatter, somewhat flattened end down.
• Plant your bulbs twice as deep as the bulb is tall. In other words, if a bulb is 2 inches from the base to the tip, dig a 6-inch deep hole.
• Add a bulb fertilizer to the hole to provide additional vigor.
• After covering the bulbs with soil, water them in and mulch with bark or chopped leaves.   

Now to the topic of size.  A larger bulb of the same species will produce a larger flower. A larger bulb will cost more, but in this case you do get what you pay for. 

So now you understand why size does matter!

Gardens by the Yard is currently providing fall services for our customers.  If we can help you with any of these tasks, please let us know. You can email me directly at leisha@marcoccio.com.