Dr. Grow: From bulbs to blooms: Buy now, but wait to plant fall bulbs

My mailbox has recently been filled with flyers and catalogs from companies selling fall bulbs (spring blooming flowers such as tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils). In addition most garden centers have shelves filled with packages and bins of bulbs. It sure is hard to think of spring flowers when our fall temperatures are in the 80s and 90s, and when the ground is as hard as a brick due to the lack of rainfall.

I've seen several signs displayed around the area that say now is the time to purchase and plant fall bulbs. I would like to suggest a slight variation on this theme so that you get better results in the spring and have fewer problems in the fall.

Yes, now is the time to purchase fall bulbs. Because stores have just recently received their shipment of bulbs, you get a better selection of bulbs now. You will find a myriad of colors and heights available.

I want to caution you not to plant fall bulbs now. I know the days are warm, you're in the mood, and you want to get them in the ground now. Unfortunately if you plant them now in the warm soils that we currently have, and if the soils stay warm for a month or so, you will find you're fall bulbs starting to pop their foliage out of the ground now instead of in the early spring.

If bulbs begin to shoot foliage up above the soil in the fall, you're in a catch 22 position. If you add mulch to protect the young shoots, the soils stay warmer, and the bulb continues to grow. On the other hand, if you don't protect the young foliage from extremely cold temperatures that may occur in the winter, there is a chance that the bulbs will suffer damage.

So when do you plant fall bulbs? Wait until November or December when soils begin to cool. The cool soils inhibit foliage emergence until spring.

Do not wait until January or February to plant fall bulbs. For fall bulbs to develop properly, they must undergo stratification. This amounts to being treated with cold temperatures, usually below 35 degrees, for a period of eight to ten weeks. If you plant too late in the winter, the bulbs are not stratified long enough. The blooms that do develop are generally undersized and anemic.

We've talked about when to plant, now let's look at how to plant. First prepare the soil where you plan to plant the bulbs. Place two to three inches of peat moss on top of the bulb bed and till it in until the peat and soil are well mixed together. The peat helps break up the clay that is so often found in soils around the Heartland. If you have sandy soils, the peat then becomes an additive that helps hold moisture.

Next place the bulbs in the location where you are going to plant them. Be sure to plant enough bulbs to get a show. Never plant less than nine bulbs per square foot. Place bulbs no farther apart than 6 to 8 inches.

After placing the bulbs on the surface of the bed, begin to plant them. Using a bulb planter or an auger in your electric drill, dig a hole that is one inch deeper than twice the diameter of the bulb.

Next place a tablespoon of bone meal in the bottom of each hole. Bone meal, which is high in phosphorous, enhances root production. On top of the bone meal, place an inch of soil. Then put the bulb in the hole. Do not plant it upside down. If you don't know which end is up, ask the clerk at your local garden center.

Now cover the bulb with enough soil to bring the soil level to grade. Finally, water the newly planted bulbs with enough water so that the soil will settle and all air pockets are eliminated.

Finally sit back, enjoy the winter, and anticipate the beautiful array of color that will be yours to enjoy next spring.

Paul Schnare of Cape Girardeau has been in the lawn and garden business for more than 20 years. He's an adjunct professor in horticulture at Southeast Missouri State University.