Fall is the perfect time to take on a few of the many spring garden chores. Here is a list of ten of the most important tasks: Weeding– get rid of newly emerging winter annual weeds now before they flower and set seeds. Perennial weeds such as dandelions, plantains, and thistles can be sprayed and eliminated in the […]
Archive for the ‘Tulips’ Category
Types OF Tulips
Over the centuries Dutch tulip breeders have brought to market 15 groups of the spring blooming goodies (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). The properties determining the group to which each tulip belongs are the shape of its flower, its parentage and its flowering period. Let’s take a peak at “the world of tulips”. Here is a […]
“No Dig” Planting Of Tulips
Digging lots of holes to plant 25 0r 50 tulip bulbs is a backbreaking chore. It doesn’t have to be that way. More than a decade ago, plant researchers at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., developed a planting method called “top-planting”. It eliminates all the digging and the tulips come back and bloom well for […]
When To Cut Back Foliage Of Spring Flowering Bulbs
Once your tulips, daffodils and other spring flowering bulbs have bloomed, don’t be in a hurry to cut off the stems and leaves. Plant foliage serves an valuable role in the health and growth of bulbous plants. The green leaves absorb sunlight and carbon dioxide as a part of the process of photosynthesis. The spent blossoms […]
Avoid Dreaded Tulip Fire Disease
For over a one-half century Kingwood Center in Mansfield, Ohio has been widely known for their fabulous tulip displays every spring. Over the past few years Kingwood’s garden staff had noted a decline in bloom because of a disease identified as “Tulip Fire” (Botrytis tulipae). This fungal botrytis disease tends to accumulate in the soil […]
Curing Winter Blues… A Trip To The Philadelphia Flower Show
Since 1827, the Philadelphia Flower Show has been the world’s longest-running and largest indoor flower show. This 8 days flower show, from 11 March 2017 (Saturday) to 19 March 2017 (Sunday), is organized by Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS). The 8- day event features incredible large-scale floral displays, elaborate gardens, and creative floral arrangements. Over ¼ […]
Critter-Resistant Flower Bulbs
Who doesn’t love colorful flowering bulbs in the early spring garden? Unfortunately, many gardens are terrorized by flower-devouring deer or bulb-chomping squirrels, voles and other critters. When utilizing smelly sprays, expensive fencing, or firearms are not options, plant a wide choice of flower bulbs that critters don’t like. […]
Species Tulips Thrive in Tough Spots
Species tulips (mini-tulips) are tough! In the wild they grow in the winter environs and dry soils of Central Asia, the Middle East, and China (USDA hardiness zones 3-7). In gardens they prosper for many years in full to partial sun and in average soil with good drainage. Over the centuries mini-tulips have been improved. […]
Fall Is Spring Bulb Planting Time
If you love spring flowering tulips, daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs, some planning and planting chores should be set into motion this fall. Spring flower bulbs should be planted when cool soil temperatures (below 55 °F) return. For gardeners living in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7), bulb planting begins in […]