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HOME OCTOBER 2023 4 Bulbs From Page 3 Now let's look at proper planting. To start, a good rule of thumb is to plant the bulbs a minimum of three times their height. So if your bulb is 2 inches from top to bottom, plant it at least 6 inches deep. I actually like to plant mine deeper by another inch or two. This does two things. First, it slows the growth of the bulb down, allowing for more years of flowering, especially with tulips. Second, it helps discourage the squirrels; they normally won't dig this deep in search of food. An organic bulb fertilizer should also be added at this time and again every year in the fall to ensure proper flowering for years to come. Flowering bulbs can be used in natural plantings, formal beds and mixed bor- ders. Natural plantings are plant- ings that mimic nature. Look for those bulbs that say "good for naturalizing." How do you mimic nature? When planting, follow the contours of the land, never plant against the grain. Use solid, muted colors and stay away from bright flashy ones. Take a drive in the country and let nature be your guide. Formal beds are just that; for- mal. Use large blocks of bright colors and in wide open spaces. These beds are normally treated like annuals because they become unsightly after bloom. Most people dig the bulbs out after bloom and replace with warm season annuals. Mixed border plantings are the most popular way to use bulbs. What you're doing is simply planting pockets of five to seven bulbs to add spring color to your existing beds. It's a great way to brighten up a bed in spring when nothing else is blooming. Mix different bloom times to extend the season, along with different varieties for interest. So if you are lacking early spring color, plant some bulbs this fall. Then sit back, relax and wait for the explosion of color next spring. Happy gardening! (Michael Timm is chief horti- culturalist at Ebert's Greenhouse Village in Ixonia.) Photo submitted by Michael Timm Bi-color tulips such as these are often the first colors of plants — besides green — in the spring. Have fun choos- ing those colors when planting bulbs in the fall.