Planting Daffodils
A Small Guide To Planting Daffodils
Planting daffodils needs to be done differently depending on the region where you live and plan to enjoy them, but the depths, distances, nutritional needs, and sun exposure will remain the same. The most popular color when planting daffodils is yellow, but there are many numbers of colors available on the market today, and many reputable bulb farmers who will assist you in choosing the right seed for your yard and region. In some of the more brisk areas of the United States, where the summer months are shorter and spring bears a lot of frosty mornings, you may need to start your bulbs indoors, transplanting them once they are established seedlings and the danger of frost has passed.
First of all, you will want to check your fresh or dried bulbs thoroughly for signs of rot, decay, or powdery residue. Any of these issues could cause your daffodils to either dud or to grow inconsistently, leaving barren or uneven areas in your garden plot. Once you have determined that all of your bulbs are healthy and clean, you are ready to start planting daffodils. These little beauties will need a great deal of warmth in the soil in order to root and bloom, so if your yard hasn’t thawed and maintained a good dampness and drainage, you will want to start your bulbs in small pots indoors. They should be placed three inches below the surface, and you can use just about any type of soft soil to grow them in. the bulb goes heavy end down, with the smaller end pointing directly upward.
Cover your bulbs back up, packing the soil very lightly, and then water them with a bit of fertilizer. Bulb food is best, and you can purchase this in liquid form at your local greenhouse or nursery. Full sun exposure is best, and you should begin to see some movement within two weeks. Be sure that you keep the soil damp, but don’t drown your bulbs or the chances of rot and failure will be much higher.
Your final step to planting daffodils will be to transplant your seedlings into the ground outdoors. If you started your bulbs indoors, you should have done so by mid March or so, as this will allow your plants to take root outdoors by the end of the frost season in early June. Plant them at least three inches apart and be sure not to pack them too tightly once the transplant is complete. Water them liberally every day, being sure that weeds and other plants are not obstructing either the roots nor the sun exposure. Now stand back and take in the beauty of your efforts.