LADYBUG SAYS...FALL BULB PLANTING REWARDING, BUT DON'T COMPLETE JOB TOO EARLY

Of all of the many gardening activities, the fall planting of bulbs is possibly the most rewarding. Brilliant crocus and modest snowdrops, cheerful daffodils, fragrant hyacinths, dainty squilla, spectacular tulips, and the lesser bulbs, will do their magic in the spring, if the dry, unimpressive bulbs are put into the ground this fall.

However, there is one word of caution: Do not put the bulbs into the ground too early, but do purchase them when they are available on the market. Early planting often contributes to early growth in the spring and their foliage, and sometimes flowers, are nipped by late frosts or freezing weather.

Purchase bulbs now, but keep them cool until the ground is no longer warm and then plant them into prepared beds.

The exception is the tulip, that may be buried under the cold as late as the holidays. All spring flowering bulbs need to be planted only a few weeks before they begin their long winter sleep.

Unlike seeds that contain few nutrients and often do not sprout, bulbs are most efficient storehouses of nutrients which seldom fail to send up and maintain a plant. For a beginning gardener, bulbs are the best investment.

When buying bulbs, look them over carefully. Avoid any that show signs of rot or disease. Another point to remember is that large bulbs will bear larger flowers. Beware of the cheap, undersized bulbs that may not bloom for several years.

Good drainage is absolutely essential for spring bulbs. Soil which is mostly clay needs some organic matter, such as peat moss or compost worked in to make the soil drain better.

It is important to plant according to the color, height and flowering time of the bulbs. Plant shorter, early-blooming bulbs among or in front of low growing shrubs or in a rock garden or along a walk.

For a splash of color in the garden, or in a flower bed, plant at least a group of 12 or more bulbs for the best impact.

Plant scattered clusters of crocus throughout your lawn or flower beds for a "natural" look.

Daffodils are the greatest bulbs for naturalizing. They live for a long, long time, even when neglected. Also they propagate. The thousands of varieties bloom in shades of yellow, pink, white and pastels, as well as in many shapes, sizes and heights. When carefully chosen, they will bloom over a six week period. As readers know "daffies" are my very favorite and each year some new ones are purchased to add to the hundreds under the ground.

Some bulbs such as grape hyacinths develop top growth in the fall. This will not harm the bulbs or interfere with flowering, since flower buds will still be low in the bulb in the ground. The new leaves will brown and possibly be killed back by severe winter weather, but the portions below the ground level will survive and growth will begin again in the spring. Their small purple spikes, only about 8 inches in height, come up as a surprise just as the crocus are fading.

Hyacinths have a quality far surpassing that of crocus or daffodils, and that is its distinctive fragrance. Normally they flower with mid-season daffodils and tulips. A small group of hyacinths, usually in combination with other spring bulbs is often more effective than a large planting of hyacinths alone.

There are so many varieties of tulips available that one could literally write a book about them and their history dating back to the 1600's. The many hybrids include the single earlies and double earlies, the mid season-ones including the Triumphs and Darwin Hybrids and the later flowering Darwins, Cottage, Lily-flowered, Fringed, Viridiflora, Rembrandt, Parrot and Peony-Flowered Doubles. All are available in a wide range of colors and have their own distinctive characteristics.

These hybrid tulips are capable of standing alone in large plantings or may be effectively planted in groups among early perennials. As they die down, summer annuals can be planted to take their place.

Planting depth is dependent both on the type of bulb as well as the type of soil they are being planted into. Depth is measured from soil level to neck of the bulb.

See accompanying chart for planting depths and spacing of spring flowering bulbs.

To have a colorful spring one must start planning now.