A Florida gardener mentioned that their winter family tradition includes planting seeds, bulbs, and tubers for spring color. What fun to get the whole family outside on a crisp fall day to do a little work now for a big payoff in the spring. As the children get older, they can be more involved in the planning process for their Gainesville Landscape. If you are interested in planting bulbs, the narcissus family, which includes daffodils, does well here. They have the added benefit of blooming year after year, so economically they are a good choice. Other bulbs to consider are irises, snowflakes, paperwhites and anemones. Tulips and hyacinths are trickier. They need lower temperatures for six to eight weeks before planting. This can be accomplished by refrigerating the bulbs or buying “preconditioned” bulbs from nurseries and online. Tulips and hyacinths must be planted each year so dig up those bulbs in the spring when flowering is complete. Plant bulbs twice as deep as they are tall. Be sure to plant upright, usually with the pointed end facing up. Mulch lightly in winter to prevent rotting and then add mulch in the warmer months to keep bulbs cool. Bulbs do best when planted in full sun to partial shade. They require well drained soil, so loosen soil in the entire area before planting. Bulbs planted as annuals need no fertilizer, since there are enough nutrients stored in the bulb for one season. Perennial bulbs will need some fertilizer. Use a well-balanced product which is low in nitrogen. Bulbs need water only once per month until leaves are visible; then increase to twice per month. Seeds are a much less expensive way to go, but care is required. Annuals like nasturtiums, sweet peas, pansies, snapdragons, petunias, nemesias and diascias do well here. Delphiniums, poppies and bachelor buttons will self-seed and return each year. Rough up the soil in your flower bed and sprinkle seeds lightly, tamp down, then gently water. Seeded areas should be kept moist, not wet, through winter. Buying flats of spring seedlings and planting them now is slightly more expensive, but a more reliable option. Keep in mind that although the crowns of the plants won’t grow much throughout the winter, the plants are busy growing their roots. Plant both spring-flowering seeds and seedlings in a sunny area. Consider planting colors en masse for greater impact. Place taller plants toward the back of the bed. Interplant with winter annuals like pansies and violas for color while you wait for your beautiful spring garden to appear. Although children are sometimes reluctant to help with more mundane gardening chores, most enjoy the planting and harvesting phases of gardening. Start your own planting tradition this year.
Elizabeth Schmidt is a Master Gardener Volunteer with the University of Florida/IFAS/Leon County Extension, http://leon.ifas.ufl.edu For more information about gardening in our area, visit the UF/ IFAS Leon County Extension website at http://leon.ifas.ufl.edu. For gardening questions, email us at Ask-A-Mastergardener@leoncountyfl.gov