Planting and Caring for Flower Bulbs: From Bed Prep to Post-Bloom Care

Bulbs: The Spring Surprise

Bulbs spend most of the year underground, then explode into color. Plant in groups for impact—scattered singles get lost.

Bed Preparation (Spring for Fall Planting)

Raise bed with rich topsoil + composted manure. Summer: fill with annuals to suppress weeds. Fall: pull annuals, plant bulbs at package depth.

Squirrel Protection

Wrap bulbs in steel wool (tip exposed) or cover bed with chicken wire until spring emergence.

Post-Bloom Care: The Foliage Debate

Deadhead spent flowers to prevent seed formation (energy drain). Do not braid, rubber-band, or tie foliage. Leaves are solar panels—photosynthesis feeds the bulb. Folding them blocks light and restricts nutrient flow. Let foliage yellow naturally. Interplant annuals between dying bulbs; they’ll hide the decline.

My Approach

Clip blooms, leave foliage until brown. Plant annuals between. Works beautifully.

Respect the bulb’s biology, and it will return stronger each year.