As the days get shorter and drearier, it’s helpful to think about the bright and beautiful blooms of spring. It takes just a little bit of planning to ensure happy splashes of springtime color.
Because spring flowering bulbs need to spend the winter outdoors, late October is an ideal time to prepare containers that can stand up to cold weather (and freezing temperatures, depending on where you live).
Your containers should have good drainage and be deep enough to allow for protection and growth. A good rule of thumb is to plant bulbs 2-3 times as deep as they are wide while allowing a bit of room at the bottom for the roots.
As for soil, choose a high quality potting mix that is formulated to drain well. This will keep bulbs from rotting as they overwinter. To ensure an adequate supply of essential nutrients and minerals, which contribute to healthier plants and brighter blooms, use a high quality rock dust like Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster which is made entirely of volcanic basalt.
How to use rock dust in containers: For best results, use 1 cup of Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster per cubic foot of potting soil and mix prior to planting. In early spring, reapply by lightly stirring into the top of the soil (use 1 tsp of Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster per every inch of pot diameter). Water thoroughly.
What are some good choices for container flowers? Tulips, daffodils, alliums , hyacinths, narcissus, crocus and scilla are just a few options. Planted together, they offer an infinite number of combinations and colors.
For a succession of blooms, try layering bulbs with different bloom times using the “lasagna method.” Start with the largest bulbs at the bottom and work upwards, covering each layer with about 2-inches of soil and topping things off with pansies or violas—or even a few evergreen boughs for visual interest in the winter.
Now sit back and relax with a warm cup of tea—and think about the spring flowers that await!
(P.S. If squirrels are a problem, put a screen across the top of your containers to keep them from digging up your newly planted bulbs.)
