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Planting those gnarled, woody or papery bulbs, tubers, corms and rhizomes will result in the earliest spring splash of your garden.
You should plant in late September through October. After October, bulbs may not have time to develop strong roots. One may stand in the March garden, quite perplexed, and wonder why their crocus failed to flower. Plant while there's time!
Prepare the planting sites. Bulbs like a sunny home with well draining soil. Work compost and bonemeal into the bottom of the hole. Bury them at the depth and spacing recommended on the label. Backfill the hole with amended soil. Top with up to three inches of mulch. This protects against-freeze thaw damage.
Rules and regulations done with -- on to the fun stuff: design ideas!
Q: We just moved into our newly constructed home. How much of our landscape can we do to make it look a little better- or at least deal with the dust and mud of winter?
A: After soil testing, a soil preparation can be done. Irrigation can be installed. Any hardscaping features can be built: patios; stone walls or walkways; retaining walls, etc. Planting beds can be built up with compost and mulched. Clusters of native stone can be placed.
Not a tree has been planted, but with these elements in place, you have created the structural framework of the landscape. You now have all winter to educate yourself on Colorado plants and gardening. Come spring, you're ready to dig in and plant successfully.
Q: What's this about winter watering?
A: Autumn and winter, with dry air and low moisture
are harsh on Colorado's landscape. Even though plants are dormant, roots
still need moisture. During extended periods of dryness, water susceptible
trees and shrubs early in the morning before possible night time freezing.
Refer to Fact sheet #7.211
- Fall and winter watering, for further details.
Harvest winter squash, gourds and pumpkins after the vines have been killed by frost. These vegetables only store well if the skins are hard. Pumpkins will last longer if 2 - 3” of stem is left intact.
Core aeration is one of the best things you can do for your lawn.
Fall is as good a time as spring to aerate,
especially if you didn’t get to it earlier this year.
Plant tulips and other spring bloomers before the ground freezes. The bulbs should be planted in a spot that will get 5 - 6 hours of sunlight each day in the spring. Work a high phosphorus (P) fertilizer into the soil at the root zone of the bulb. Fertilize again in spring - before and after flowering.
Clean up your garden tools before putting them away for the winter. Scrape off the dirt and hose them down. Dry them off and put a thin layer of oil on the metal parts and linseed oil on the wooden handles to keep them from drying out. You’ll be ready to go when spring arrives.
Cannas, dahlias and gladiola bulbs and tubers won’t survive our Colorado winters outdoors. After a hard freeze, dig the tubers and cut off the dead foliage. Store them in damp peatmoss where they won’t dry out or freeze.
The authors have received training through Colorado State University Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener program and is a Master Gardener volunteer for Larimer County.
Fact Sheets are available at the Larimer County Extension Office, 1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins, Colorado, telephone (970) 498-6000, or contact us by e-mail at larimer@coop.ext.colostate.edu
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