From the ground up: Learn bulb care for spring, summer blooms

Have you made it to a farmers market yet this season? This time of year expect to find asparagus, spring greens, radishes, rhubarb, spring garlic and turnips. Some also have local eggs and meats.

This is also the time of year that the Linn County Master Gardener Hortline is in full swing. Call with questions about yards, gardens, pests, weeds, garden tools and trees. Or drop by with your tree limb, unidentified plant, soil sample or pest. This is a free service of Linn County Extension.

Call the Hortline at (319) 447-0647 from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to noon on Fridays.

Linn County Master Gardener Jean Murray answers several questions related to caring for spring-flowering bulbs. It seems like the flowers have just started blooming, but now is the time to prepare for what to do once they have bloomed.

Q&A:

Q: When can I remove the flowers and leaves on bulbs that have faded?

A: You can remove the flower heads as soon as the flowers fade. Removing the flowers keeps flowers producing next year. But don't remove the foliage until it has died and turned brown. Cutting off the foliage too soon stops bulb growth and it may cut flower numbers next year. Some gardeners are bothered by the untidy foliage and want to tie it back with rubber bands or braid it. But tying or braiding the foliage reduces the leaf area exposed to sunlight. As a result, leaves manufacture smaller amounts of food. Plus, tying or braiding the foliage is a time-consuming chore.

Q: When should bulbs be fertilized?

A: Most spring-flowering bulbs don't need to be fertilized, unless your soil is poor. If you want to give bulbs a boost, add bone meal to the bottom of the hole before the bulb is placed. You also can fertilize bulbs after they bloom. Use a 5-10-5 or 6-10-4 fertilizer to bulb beds. Don't leave fertilizer on leaves because it burns them. Control weeds around bulbs to keep them from competing with the bulbs. Hand weeding is best.

Q: When can I move bulbs?

A: Spring-flowering bulbs can be dug up and replanted as soon as the foliage dies back and turns brown, in late spring/early summer. You can also dig up the bulbs and replant them in the fall, when you would normally plant your bulbs. If you would like to move daffodil bulbs in fall, mark the site when the foliage is present so the bulbs can be located in October. Once you dig up your bulbs, dry them in the air for two to three weeks. Then place the bulbs in mesh bags and store in a cool (50 to 65 F), dry place, such as a basement, until fall planting. Inspect the bulbs several times during the summer and discard any which show signs of decay.

Q: When can I plant summer-blooming non-hardy bulbs?

A: Summer bulbs (gladiolus, for example) can be planted in the spring when danger of frost has passed. Water the bulbs when you plant them and mulch them to discourage critters from digging them up. Read the label information to see if the bulb can stay in the ground through our Iowa winters.

Q: How do I keep the critters out of my bulbs?

A: Some animals love to dig up bulbs. The smell of freshly dug earth attracts them, so cover newly planted bulbs with black plastic netting, wire mesh, or burlap for a couple of weeks. If the critters are snacking on leaves and flowers, protect the plants with chicken wire or consider scent deterrents. Spraying to kill grubs can help keep out moles and voles that feed on the grubs - and your bulbs.

EVENTS: 

---- What's All the Buzz About? 10 a.m. Saturday at Wickiup Hill Learning Center, 10260 Morris Hills Rd., Toddville. Bugs hold a bit of intrigue for everybody but are often misunderstood. Find out why these pretty amazing creatures play a huge role in nature. This free, family-friendly event will feature fun and educational activities with a swarm of bug-related games and crafts. No preregistration required.

---- Questions on gardening, land use or local foods? Contact Michelle Kenyon Brown, community ag programs manager at Linn County Extension, mkenyonb@iastate.edu.