Green Acre: Spring Bulbs, Stat!

It’s not too late to plant those spring bulbs! / Photo by Stephanie Cavanaugh.

By Stephanie Cavanaugh

HAPPY NEW Year, Procrastinators!

It’s not too late to plant your spring bulbs!

I managed to bury mine (bully for me) by the end of November, not the ideal time, battling with piles of tree leaves to find the earth. But now, in Washington DC, with leaves raked and bagged, and a hard freeze yet to be seen, there’s even an occasional 60-degree day, ideal for such athletic outdoor work. 

If the bulbs have been stored in a cool, dark place, they may have already sprouted. That’s fine. Hack away at the cold garden soil and plant them as you should have a month ago. 

But hold some back for forcing to create a little bit of Spring right when that seasonal affective disorder kicks in and the world seems bleak, and will it ever this time out . . . anyway . . . it’s time for a spot of forced cheer!

You’ve seen this done with paperwhite narcissus and amaryllis, may even have bought a pre-planted pot. (If you’re too lethargic to bother, Trader Joe’s has them all potted up for, like, three bucks). But, you can easily do it yourself, along with hyacinth, tulip, and daffodil bulbs. 

Pull out some pots, some pretty containers, maybe those “one-offs” you can’t bear to part with. Bury the bulbs in shallow soil (if they’re already sprouting leave those tips above the surface), water them, and set in a cool, dark spot. If you’re using a large pot, you can really cram the bulbs in for a spectacularly fulsome display.  

You can also plant bulbs in a dish of water. Set them atop a layer of pebbles and add water to just the base of the bulb (you don’t want it to rot). 

Then forget about them until green tips pop up; they’ll now grow rapidly and bloom when given a bit of sunlight.    

Ah, the challenge, though, is finding bulbs in January. Costco is already busy with Easter bunnies, and online vendors have settled in for a long winter’s nap. But rummage about your local garden center and you may find a bag of bulbs or a handful of narcissus, and at this point they’re nearly giving them away.  

I got totally lucky: Baby forgot she had bulbs in the chilly trunk of her car and gave me a bag of grape hyacinth that are near ready to pop. 

For you without a forgetful daughter, there’s Kathy Jentz to the rescue. The author, podcaster, speaker, and editor of Washington Gardener magazine, has opened an online shop with a range of beautiful spring bloomers, many on sale, absolute bargains. She also offer the terrific Cobra Head garden cultivator that makes short work of planting in tough soil. 

Next week, more bulbish* tips and an experiment in creating a garden in a cloche. 

*Not a word, but should be.