Is It Too Late To Plant Bulbs

Late fall is the best season for digging your garden if you want to have a weed-free garden in spring, but also for airing the ground for your trees, bushes and roses. Even if the upper parts of the canes will freeze, I will trim them back again in spring.

But many have some trouble every year with one or another of the fungal blights that are more treatable and less fatal than Late Blight. Caging or staking tomatoes rather than letting them sprawl could also improve air flow as well as getting the foliage...

She knew from the start that I would never be of much use in the kitchen. Amazed at their magnus, especially since I had not done anything particularly different as far as preparation beforehand, I wondered what Maureen would do with the abundant harvest,...

Your first instinct, as an avid gardener, may be to ‘rescue' some of the plants on this abandoned property, giving them a new home in your well-manicured yard. If you can find neighbors willing to tell you about them, include stories of the original...

Stargazers are one of the most expensive flowers that florists sell, according to the Iowa State University Extension.Stargazer lilies add a pleasant fragrance to your home.Stargazer lilies grow in a variety of climates in USDA plant hardiness zones 4-9.

The distinctive odor, which some find unpleasant, is due to a biochemical called indole.Paperwhite narcissus can be fragrant or malodorous, depending on your nose.The scent of indole has been characterized as "musky," though some say its concentrated...

Transplant them in soil in the garden after they flower to allow them to recharge for the next year's outdoors flowering. In fact, flowers from bulbs grown without soil last longer than cut flowers and do a great job of livening the living room during...

They'll stand upright in a tall, narrow vase, but can also be placed in floral foam for added support in shorter, wider containers. Rotate the container periodically so each side gets equal access to the light to help tulips stand upright.Fresh water...

Plant windflower bulbs for flowers that require little maintenance and give a maximum return.Plant windflower bulbs in early spring, after the last frost in your area, to give them time to establish and grow for their spring flowering.

This is also a great time to delve into those gardening books you've been meaning to get around to reading. Many of these shows also have large vendor areas where you can pick up seeds, tools, books and all sorts of things you never even knew you needed.

New bulbs will naturally sprout from the bottom and sides of the main bulb.Divide bulbs in the late spring or early fall, if they seem crowded, or if they stop blooming. Mature bulbs should be planted 6 inches deep and watered thoroughly until the wet...

Onions and garlic are both members of the allium family, and the bulbs of garden allium have a distinctive onion-like smell. Despite their similarities, they are not from the same botanical family, but both have a treasured place in many gardens.The small,...

Tend to the dahlia plants when they're dry because it helps prevent fungal spores from spreading. For example, when using 29.6 percent chlorothalonil, mix 2 teaspoons in 1 gallon of water in a garden sprayer, and coat the dahlia with it in a fine mist...

Cut it off when you are ready to plant the bulb.Dig into the soil in the planting area, to a depth of 6 inches. The bulbs require no chilling period and are among the easiest to bloom, even in water, without soil.

Gently break the smaller bulb from the larger bulb. Each spring, new flowers come up reliably, even if you neglected them through the year. Shake of the excess soil to expose the bulbs.

Flowers of species tulips are left in place after blooming. Grow them near edelweiss, alpine gentians and other low growing perennials that won't cover them up, so the bulbs can get the baking they need.Cut off dead tulip foliage and stems after they...

Freesias are commonly used as cut flowers.Freesias are available in many different color varieties.Freesias tolerate winters in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 9 to 11.

No pinching is needed, since they are self branching. You can hardly go wrong, especially if what you want is a bed of bright yellow, non-stop flowers throughout the long, hot summer.

Only a small mass of roots is required to keep the plants alive, but it's important to keep garden soil packed around the primary roots as the plants are dug and moved to buckets. Most modern homes do not come equipped with root cellars.

Have you ever had to battle with a weedy, jungle-like garden? Use a sharp hoe to skim the surface and dislodge or slice the seedlings. We'd love to hear your stories – please do drop us a comment below.

These mulches may be free but their value to gardeners is inestimable! They help reduce the arduous tasks of weeding and watering in summer, protect your beds over winter, and improve the soil all year round.

Drainage is never an issue, though I've noticed that some soil moves downhill along with rainwater. Extra reinforcement is not needed for block retaining walls less than 18 inches (45cm) high.

The remains of reseeding flowers and herbs can be given their own space in the garden 4. Fall-sown legumes like winter peas boost soil nitrogen when allowed to grow until they begin to bloom in spring 3.

What tricks do you use? Some plants produce many tens of fruits over the growing season, so keeping on top of fruit removal may prove to be a daily task. Please share them in the comments section below.

Oozing bark, though alarming, isn't necessarily a sign of the disease. Photo by Jerzy Opiola In summer the leaves of infected plums take on a silvery sheen (although the leaves themselves are not infectious), then once the wood dies the bracket-shaped...

Hang your ristra in a warm, well-ventilated place. The fruits can be picked as soon as the seeds inside have matured, when they will have turned from small and white to full-sized and beige.

Shade cloth can cast just enough shade to keep your plants happy in severe heat – and it's easily removed when the weather turns cooler. Two watering cans are better than one! Don't Blast Your Plants A strong spray from a hose can knock plants about...