CrocusesPlanting
Planting Crocus Bulbs in 9 Steps. Crocus Specialist Wilco Explains It to You.
Planting crocus bulbs. The first thing you see in spring is crocuses. Sweet scents fill the air, and beautiful colors cover the ground. The crocuses planted in the fall call out to them, the innocent passersby. Softly, all crocuses whisper to them, 'the world is waking up again. Behold my beautiful colors, proof that we do not lie. Proof that we are planted correctly.' Curious about what the crocuses whisper in your ears when spring arrives? That only happens if you plant them correctly. Therefore, learn everything you need to know from Wilco. Crocuses require little care if you follow Wilco's instructions, so that's a relief. With 9 instructions and 10 tips, Wilco teaches you how to plant crocus bulbs, the only way it should be done. Keep reading and make your green thumbs a little greener. Get started quickly with planting crocus bulbs!
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Meet the crocus farmer. Your guide in the world of flower bulbs.
1. The Planting Period – In Which Period Can You Plant Crocus Bulbs?
You can plant crocus bulbs from November to December. Be sure to note that planting crocus bulbs is only permissible until a few weeks before the first frost arrives. So, absolutely do not wait until the last moment and especially do not plant them after the first frost, as they probably won't sprout. Furthermore, you hardly need to worry about anything else. The first crocuses emerge in February and bloom until March.
TIP: Wilco emphasizes: planting crocus bulbs should be done as early as possible in the season. If you plant them early enough, they still have enough time to establish good root systems. This way, you can be almost certain that they will survive the winter.
2. Planting Location for Crocus Bulbs - What is the best spot in your garden?
The best place to plant crocus bulbs is in a sunny spot in your garden. A location with partial sun/partial shade is also acceptable, but keep in mind that the sun in early spring is not yet very strong. Crocuses thrive well in a sunny location.
TIP 1: Spring bloomers, including crocuses, always grow earlier than most other garden plants. When planting crocus bulbs, you don't need to worry about spacing them from other garden plants. That makes gardening much easier, doesn't it?
TIP 2: Planting crocus bulbs in a (nearly) wind-free location ensures you enjoy the flowers longer! Too much wind can damage the flowers, so choose a spot with minimal wind.
3. Planting Crocus Bulbs – How wet or dry should the soil be?
Crocuses prefer well-draining soil. Therefore, when planting crocus bulbs, you should use... drumroll please; well-draining soil. This is essential for obtaining high-quality flowers. After rainfall, there should absolutely be no standing water, as it can drown the bulbs and cause rot.
TIP: Wilco strongly emphasizes; "Planting crocus bulbs should absolutely not be done in overly wet soil."
4. Loosening the soil – How do we prepare the soil for planting crocus bulbs?
Always loosen the soil first. Then you can plant the crocus bulbs. The soil should be 'airy' enough for your bulbs to root properly.
TIP: Farmers prefer to plant crocus bulbs in a slightly loose (not too heavy) soil. For example, if you have clay soil in your garden, mix in some extra soil or sand.
5. Fertilization and planting crocus bulbs – How much fertilizer can you use during planting?
Planting crocus bulbs is recommended without fertilizer. That's a relief. However, a humus-rich soil can be beneficial. This type of soil contains plenty of organic material, similar to that found in the forest. If you still think your garden (and bulbs) could benefit from some extra nutrients, check out the tip below.
TIP: If you're planting crocus bulbs but unsure whether there's enough nutrients in your soil, explore your garden and check it out. Do you have plenty of organic material in the soil? Are there already many plants thriving? These are often promising signs that your soil has sufficient nutrients.
6. The distance between each bulb – What is the recommended planting distance for crocus bulbs?
When planting crocus bulbs, you can space them approximately 5 to 8 cm apart. This way, you'll create an expansive alpine meadow (because yes, that's where they come from) of color, without too many bare spots between your crocuses.
TIP: One fist width of an adult is approximately +/- 10 cm.
7. The depth of the hole - How deep should you plant crocus bulbs?
Planting crocus bulbs should be done at a depth of three times the bulb's size.
TIP: Grab a stick from somewhere and mark the planting depth on it. That works quite easily, so we don't have to measure the hole every time we plant the crocus bulbs.
8. Position of the bulb in the hole - How do you place crocus bulbs in the planting hole?
Crocuses have a pointed and a bulbous side. Place the bulb in the hole with the pointed side facing upward. That's the side where the 'pens' come out. Stems, in layman's terms.
TIP: When planting crocus bulbs, make sure to cover the bulbs entirely with soil. After planting and watering, if you see the bulb again, sprinkle some extra soil on top.
9. How much water should we give when planting crocus bulbs?
When planting crocus bulbs, make the planting hole lightly moist before placing the bulbs in it. This helps your bulbs acclimate to their new home faster and promotes quicker root development.
TIP 1: Planting and caring for crocus bulbs is best done with rainwater or perhaps ditch water. Tap water can be used as well. However, it contains more minerals and lime. Not ideal when planting crocus bulbs that should produce the world's most beautiful flowers.
TIP 2: In conversation with Wilco; 'The crocus is popular with crows, hares, pheasants, mice, and other critters. They eat the bulbs. 'Wildlife management' is still a challenge'. Now, Wilco doesn't mean you should pursue a career as a forest ranger. You can, however, consider placing some mesh over the planted bulbs.
TIP 3: If you happen to have any leftover popsicle sticks (unlikely, but we're asking anyway) or something similar, use them when planting crocus bulbs. Write the name of your bulbs on them and stick the stick next to the planted bulbs in the ground. This way, you'll know exactly who's where in the spring.
You've reached the end of this article. And that deserves a big compliment. Better yet, you've treated yourself to a garden with the world's most beautiful crocuses. You can now plant crocus bulbs with the finer points of the trade at your fingertips. If you still have questions after reading this article, feel free to ask Wilco and us via the contact form below. Dive into all the other articles quickly and learn everything you need to know.
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