Fall bulbs 2024

I am planning to plant my fall bulbs next week and I thought I would like to record what I planted. I will talk about what bulbs I have, how I prepared the space for them, and the layout of the bulb planting. I am in zone 7b in central Oklahoma. These bulbs were purchased from Walmart, WinCo, and Marcum’s, a local nursery. I have prepared the area by digging up the area to about 10 inches deep. I have gathered some leaves and wood mulch to cover the area. I will be mixing some compost, peat moss, and sand with our clay soil to improve the drainage. Since I am a beginner gardener, I have asked my good friend AI to help design the layout for my bulbs.

Here’s a detailed guide to help you plant your bulbs using a layered layout by size:

Layered Layout by Size:

Front Layer (Small Bulbs):

1. Crocus (46) – Space 3-4 inches apart
2. Puschkinia (10) – Space 3-4 inches apart
3. Chionodoxa (10) – Space 3-4 inches apart
4. Grape Hyacinth (10) – Space 3-4 inches apart

Middle Layer (Medium Bulbs):

1. Uva Vulpis (10) – Space 6-8 inches apart
2. Ranunculus (6) – Space 6-8 inches apart
3. Dutch Iris (10) – Space 6-8 inches apart

Back Layer (Large Bulbs):

1. Tulips (13) – Space 8-10 inches apart
2. Hyacinth (3) – Space 8-10 inches apart
3. Daffodils (34) – Space 8-10 inches apart

Garlic (6):

Plant garlic in a separate area, 4-6 inches apart, as it can inhibit growth of other bulbs.

Paperwhite (12):

Force indoors, not suitable for outdoor planting in most regions.

Total Space Needed:

Approximately 12×15 feet (3.6×4.5 meters) for the layered layout, considering spacing between bulbs.

Care Instructions:

1. Plant bulbs at the correct depth (2-3 times the height of the bulb).
2. Choose well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade.
3. Water during planting and after blooming.
4. Fertilize lightly after blooming.
5. Deadhead flowers, but allow foliage to die back naturally.

Incompatible Bulbs:

1. Garlic and most bulbs: Garlic’s strong scent can repel or inhibit growth.
2. Tulips and Daffodils: Planting together can lead to disease transmission.

Paperwhite Care (Forced Indoors):

1. Plant 1-2 inches deep, 1-2 inches apart in containers.
2. Use well-draining potting mix.
3. Water and maintain temperatures between 50-60°F (10-15°C).
4. Provide bright, indirect light.
5. Fertilize with balanced, water-soluble fertilizer.
6. Deadhead flowers, allow foliage to die back.

Additional Tips:

1. Plant bulbs in clusters for visual impact.
2. Mix bulb types for varied textures and colors.
3. Consider adding compost or organic matter to soil.

I think it gave me some great advice and I am looking forward to getting my bulbs done. I didn’t know Paperwhites are usually grown indoors so that was a bit of a surprise. I want to add one more bulb called a lycoris if I can get it in time. It’s a very pretty red spider lily but the spider lily bulbs are bit pricey so will just start with one. Looking forward to seeing some beautiful flowers next spring.