Tulips can be planted in Toronto from the middle of September until just before the ground freezes, which is usually toward the end of November. If you can’t plant them straight immediately, keep them in a paper bag and keep them in a cold, dark spot. They need to breathe, so don’t store them in a plastic bag. Put tulips in a sunny, well-drained spot.
In Toronto, when may I plant bulbs?
Can I plant now, on September 30? Can I wait till November instead?
2. Can I plant bulbs deeper than the bulb label recommends? In an effort to stop the squirrels
3. Should I put bonemeal to the holes for planting?
We appreciate you getting in touch with the Toronto Master Gardeners with a question about planting spring bulbs.
Numerous inquiries are received about bulbs, when to plant them, and how to keep rodents like squirrels from destroying the bulbs. The following details are important details from several of our older posts:
Numerous plants, particularly bulbs, need a protracted period of extreme cold before they bloom in the spring. Vernalization is the term for this process, which also applies to many other plant species. Additionally, many tree seeds frequently need to be vernalized before they can sprout. This system safeguards the young plant and guarantees that it only sprouts or blooms under ideal circumstances.
Spring flowering bulbs are typically planted in Toronto in the fall before the ground freezes. The ideal window is six weeks prior to the freeze, which in Toronto is at the start of October. A sustained period of dormancy is required for spring flowering bulbs to overwinter in the ground so that they have time to produce roots and blossoms before they start to sprout in the spring. Contrary to sensitive summer flowering bulbs, the majority of spring flowering bulbs are hardy, so they do not need to be dug up and stored at the end of the flowering season. Make sure the bulbs you acquire are hardy enough to be left in the ground all year long by making sure they are suitable for growing in Canadian Hardiness Zones 1–5.
Three times deeper than the bulb’s diameter is the typical norm for hole depth. Plant the bulbs pointy side up in a compost-rich, well-drained soil. Most bulbs prefer to be in a sunny area. Bone meal, when mixed well into the soil at the bottom of the hole, will promote root development and keep rodents away.
Your bulbs will be more wholesome if you fertilize them both before and after the blooming season.
You have every right to be concerned about squirrels given their penchant for tulip bulbs and the fact that you mention living close to their natural habitat. However, Toronto Master Gardeners has created a very helpful Guide titled: Growing Tulips, so you are not alone in having this worry. You can opt to use one or a combination of the preventative measures listed under the section on “Diseases and Pests” in that document.
The Eastern Grey Squirrel is a medium-sized, bushy-tailed pest that has two typical color phases: black and grey. A gardener must first identify the pest. Grey squirrels bury seeds and nuts in preparation for the winter throughout the fall. Even if not all of their supplies will be discovered, they can recover a healthy 85% the next spring thanks to their excellent sense of smell.
Therefore, you might take use of this keen olfactory trait and apply popular biological controls like:
1. If it fits with your garden concept, add other bulbs to your plot, such as daffodils, allium, or fritillarias. Only a few types of insects can consume the deadly crystals found in daffodil bulbs and leaves, and squirrels stay away from them. Allium, the Latin word for garlic, has an onion-like aroma that serves as a deterrent, and while you’re at it, “frits” contain dangerous alkaloids that give off a strong, skunk-like scent that keeps squirrels and deer away!
2. Keep in mind to remove any traces of discarded bulb skins after planting because the presence and fragrance of these materials may encourage squirrels to search for hidden treasure;
3. Apply blood meal around the plants as a finishing touch because it is rich in ammonia and nitrogen. Once more, the smell will deter squirrels;
A simple and cheerful alternative to these biological restrictions is to cover your planted bed with chicken wire, allowing the bulbs to grow up through the wire without having to remove them.
In Ontario, when should you plant tulip bulbs?
Let’s go over some of the most popular bulbs that we sell at our garden center in Guelph. Each bulb has a particular planting need. Choose well-drained soil for all of the following species, and aim for a soil acidity of 6 or 7 for the best color. The general guidelines to keep in mind are to plant at a depth that is around 2-3 times the height of the bulb and to thoroughly water after planting.
Plant tulips in drifts that are 15 to 20 cm apart. Although all tulips are planted in the fall, some varieties bloom in the early spring (early may), medium to late spring, and late spring (end may to early June). There is no such thing as too close when it comes to planting bulbs; the best display results from snuggling them together.
Crocus: When looking at planting seasons, there are fall crocuses and spring crocuses, which might be a little confusing. You want to sow crocuses in the fall that bloom in the spring; these plants may simply be called “crocus.” Crocus bulbs should be planted in drifts spaced 5–15 cm apart. They appear magnificent in huge groupings.
Snowdrops: Also known as Galanthus, these nodding, white flowers begin to bloom in Guelph as early as March, right alongside crocuses. Plant them in clusters that are 5 to 7.5 cm apart.
Daffodil: If you want to plant varieties other than the traditional lemon yellow, you should look for daffodils, which are also known as narcissus. Although different daffodil types may require different amounts of space, they all thrive when planted a little earlier than other bulbs. Plan to plant them by the middle of October.
Hyacinth: A delight for the senses, hyacinths are renowned for both their magnificent flower clusters and their strong aroma. Hyacinth bulbs need to be planted in the fall, 10 cm apart, with the pointed end facing up. In locations with full to partial sunlight, they operate best. Hyacinths produce stunning cut flowers in the spring when they are in bloom.
Eranthis are among the earliest flowers in your yard to bloom in the spring, along with snowdrops. They frequently peek out from between the final snowdrifts! The enormous clusters of the teacup-shaped golden blossoms, which are only approximately 5 cm apart from one another, appear lovely.
Fritillaria, often referred to as Crown Imperial, are stunning bell-shaped flowers with a distinctive presence in the spring garden. Plant them 20–23 cm apart and 15–30 cm deep in full light. Additionally, their scent deters insects and squirrels from the garden!
Allium: Also known as ornamental onion, allium makes a bold statement in late spring to early summer with its magnificent globe-shaped blooms on a straight stalk. Additionally, they play a significant role in keeping insects and squirrels away (another onion reference!). Depending on the size of the bulb, place them 5 to 20 cm apart. Place bulbs about twice as far apart as their width.
Which month is ideal for tulip planting?
- Use chicken wire to cover planting holes, a fence, repellant spray, or container gardening to keep animals away.
Is there anything happier than a large tulip field blooming in the spring? The profusion of vibrant blossoms is a sight for sore eyes after a protracted winter of cold and snow. You may build and enjoy a robust tulip show in your own yard with these tactics and pointers.
How to Choose Tulips
Hybrid tulips make up the majority of the tulips you see in landscape plantings, as well as those offered for sale at garden centers and home improvement shops. For the greatest impact, hybrid tulips normally need to be replaced every year. (We’ll cover how to persuade them to return below.) When given the proper growing circumstances, species tulips will return year after year in zones 4 to 7. These have smaller flowers and pointier petals than hybrid tulips, and they are shorter.
Individual tulips don’t flower for very long, especially the hybrids. However, there are types that bloom in the early, mid, and late seasons at various periods. When buying, choose a couple cultivars from each bloom time category for a long-lasting display.
Where to Plant Tulips
For the best show, tulips need full sun, which entails at least six hours every day of bright, direct sunlight. They are also great additions to rock gardens since they favor quick-draining soil.
When to Plant Tulips
Fall is the best time to plant tulip bulbs. Prior to planting, the soil must have cooled from the summer growing season, which could occur in September in cold regions (zones 3 to 5), October in transitional temperatures (zones 6 to 7), and November or December in warm areas (zones 8 to 9). Use a soil thermometer to measure the soil’s temperature, and plant when it reaches 60 degrees F at a depth of 6 inches.
For tulips to bloom, they need to be chilled. Buy pre-cooled bulbs and plant them in December if you intend to grow tulips where the soil temperature won’t fall below 60 degrees for at least 12 weeks.
How to Prepare the Soil for Planting Tulips
Use Miracle-Gro Garden Soil for Flowers to prepare the planting space for tulips by incorporating 3 inches of garden soil into the top 6 to 8 inches of native soil. Tulips will develop a strong root system in the fall thanks to the nutrients provided by the soil, which is necessary for a significant spring bloom. However, to get the best results from your tulips, you must combine the strength of excellent soil with just the appropriate plant food. For details on what and when to feed tulips, see “How to Feed Tulips” below.
How to Plant Tulips
Tulips should be planted in bunches of 10 or more for the best display. The pointed end should be facing up as you plant each bulb 8 inches deep (measure from the bottom of the bulb and add the depth of any mulch on top of the soil in your measurement). It is possible to place bulbs close to one another. Thoroughly water.
How to Grow Tulips in a Pot
In pots, tulips are simple to grow. The bulbs should be buried at least 8 inches deep, much like with in-ground plantings, so measure from the top of the container to a depth of about 9 inches, then fill the pot up to that point with Miracle-Gro Potting Mix. Put the pointy end of the bulbs in the pot (you can pack them tightly together). After thoroughly watering, cover with the potting mix. Move the container to a cool, dry spot that stays at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter before the first frost in your area. Bring the container outside to a sunny area when you notice tulips budding. Water the soil there. Once you notice green growth, start watering often.
How to Water Tulips
When you plant tulips, make sure to thoroughly water each planting space. After planting, give the plants one watering each week for the first month. Then, leave them alone until spring. When the leaves come out in the spring, start watering once more.
How to Feed Tulips
Apply Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed Rose & Bloom Plant Food in accordance with the instructions on the package once the flowers have faded. In order for the bulb to conserve nutrients for the following growing season, this will aid in promoting leaf growth. Every year in the late fall, feed for the final time (around the same time as you would plant new bulbs).
How to Cut Tulips to Enjoy Indoors
When the buds are still tightly closed, cut tulips. You should be able to identify the hue of the blooms despite the petals’ possible greenish tint. Put inside a spotless vase with room temperature water. Once cut and brought indoors, tulips will continue to “grow” (the stems extend). Simply trim a few inches from the bottom of the stems every few days if they start to get unruly. If you mix Miracle-Gro for Fresh Cut Flowers into the water and replace the water every few days, cut tulips will stay longer (compared to water only).
What to Do After Tulips Bloom
The best tulip flower display will typically occur in gardens in the spring that immediately follows the fall when the bulbs are planted. Once the petals have faded, trim the flower stalk back to the plant’s base to encourage species tulips to return year after year. After the bulbs have gone dormant, cease feeding them as previously mentioned, stop watering them, and trim back the foliage once it has completely turned brown. Simply pluck up the bulbs from hybrid varieties (which are not perennial) and compost them.
How to Protect Tulips from Deer and Other Pests
Preventing deer from eating tulip blooms is the biggest obstacle in tulip gardening, closely followed by preventing chipmunks and squirrels from digging up the bulbs. Planting holes or trenches should have chicken wire surrounding them on all sides to prevent bulbs from being dug up. (If you’re planting large sweeps of bulbs, which is how to get the best show from tulips, this is most useful.)
Deer are another matter. Installing a long (8 feet or more) fence is the greatest approach to keep deer out of the garden, but most people cannot afford to do this. Daffodil and Crown Imperial bulbs are not consumed by deer, so interplanting tulips with these varieties may help deter them. Alternatively, you may try misting a deer repellent on bulb foliage. In light of this, it is preferable to grow tulips in pots on a screened-in porch if deer are a significant issue where you live. This way, the deer can’t access to the flowers.
Ready to start tulip gardening? To learn more about a product, to buy it online, or to locate a retailer near you, click on any of the product links above.
When ought I to purchase and plant tulips?
Tulips and other spring bulbs already contain an embryonic blossom. Just waiting for this embryo to start growing. Make sure the tulip bulbs you choose are sturdy and plump. Avoid any bulbs that are flimsy, moldy, squishy, or losing their papery cover.
You should wait until mid-autumn to plant your tulip bulbs, which you should buy in late August or early September (late summer/early fall). If you reside in a region with moderate winters, sometimes even early winter (December) works the best.
Tulips are so anxious to expand that they will immediately send their leaves up if you plant them too soon. Only in the cold will this cause them to freeze. Tulip bulbs should be kept in a cool environment and stored in paper bags rather than plastic while you wait to plant them.
Care of Tulips During Storage
Tulips must be handled carefully and stored correctly before being planted. Tulip bulbs should be kept in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator if you have the space.
Keep them separate from apples and other fruit. Apples and bananas release ethylene gas, which speeds up fruit ripening but destroys any bulbs’ bloom buds. Tulip bulbs shouldn’t be placed in the freezer if you don’t have room in the fridge; doing so will destroy them. The tulip bulbs should be kept dry and in a cold, well-ventilated space, such as an unheated garage.