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| Not exactly gardening weather in my neighborhood these days |
In late November and early December, I bought 80 daffodil bulbs, 20 Dutch hyacinth, 15 grape hyacinth, and 40 tulip bulbs, for 75% off the original price. My obstacle was how to plant them, with frozen soil and super cold temperatures. No one in their right mind would want to be out for long, working in the garden this time of year.
So, I rounded up my stash of pots, set them in the garage, and partially filled with soil. My daughters helped me pot those bulbs, and top with more soil. I bought 3 bags of garden soil, to fill the pots. I had planned on improving the garden soil where these bulbs would be planted, anyway. So, I don't see the expense of buying the garden soil to be a waste. It will help and amend the areas where the bulbs will eventually be planted.
I now have all of these potted spring-flowering bulbs waiting in the garage for temps to moderate a bit. Although these types of bulbs can tolerate freezing soil, in the ground quite well, in pots they're more susceptible to freeze damage. I'll move the pots to the deck later this month. Then plant the bulbs in the garden, when the soil can be worked again.
I'll be honest, planting all of these bulbs was a chore. If it weren't for my daughters's help, I don't think I would have been nearly as cheerful in the planting as I was. It was a messy and bone-chilling chore. I am thankful for daughters who will happily lend a hand, in my pursuit of more spring flowers. I think I owe them a bouquet when the bulbs bloom.
