This is the year to go long on bulbs. Most bulbs prices are lower due to the strength of the dollar against the euro. So, get down and dirty if you want to have a glorious spring display.

By Chris Cohan

This is the year to go long on bulbs. Most bulbs prices are lower due to the strength of the dollar against the euro. So, get down and dirty if you want to have a glorious spring display.

Typically, plant bulbs three times the depth of the their height. Place in well-draining, neutral pH soil with at least six hours of daily sunlight. Loosen soil below bulbs. Mix in bone meal and gently set bulbs on a soft bed to ease growth of roots.

To promote years of blooms, especially tulips, resist cutting stems in display beds. Instead, deadhead once the bulbs have flowered. Allow the foliage to thrive unfettered until it dies back naturally. Prolonged photosynthesis feeds bulbs for the future. It’s also a good idea to top dress beds with a 4-10-6 bulb fertilizer after bloom.

Deer love tulips. Therefore, they are best planted close to the house or in protected areas. Daffodils, wood and Spanish hyacinths naturalize and are deer-resistant.

Nothing announces spring like flowering crocus. I love crocus. Squirrels do, too. Until they become established, squirrels find them all. To protect them, cover planting areas with chicken wire.

Leaves are Mother Nature’s annual gift of free fertilizer. Stop discarding and start using them. Plants benefit from the nitrogen boost that leaves provide. You can save time and money bagging and stacking an insane amount of leaf bags at the curb. Instead, create a compost pile — a free source of nitrogen and trace minerals. Add fresh leaves; mix some old on top to stimulate decomposition. Keep layering. You will be amazed how quickly a tall pile of leaves flattens out, providing an organic, free source of fertilizer.   

Remember the Boy Scout motto: “Be prepared.” Clean, sharpen, and oil all tools. Store neatly. Wash spreaders and sprayers to ensure no overwintering of rust promoting residue. One final cut of lawn, if some leaves are present even better. The blade will mince proving fertilizer to your lawn. Wash underside of lawnmower, sharpen blade, check oil, and drain gas.

Now is the time to use all of those partially-to-full bags of garden products. Add the fertilizers, peat moss, and potting soil to beds. The pesticides should be stored where they will not freeze or discarded.

Before bringing houseplants back inside, give them a thorough going over. Start by removing all debris from soil; check underside of leaves for pests. Eliminate pests by hand. Cut off infested leaves, and give

a blast of water or a final pesticide spritz.  Clip plants to shape and welcome back indoors for winter.

Do not allow leaves to touch windows, or they will die from winter cold. Keep away from forced air vents. Place trays with gravel at bottom beneath plants to protect furniture and floors. The trays will retain water, providing much needed humidity to your plants in dry winter homes.

It is time to shut down sprinkler systems, drain water lines, and hang up hoses for the season. Remember to drain hoses before putting away to eliminate a wet mess. Then head to rear of garage to store while stumbling over things your family may not have put away properly.

Ah, you are finally there. Me think’s Stanley had an easier time venturing to deepest, darkest Africa. Grab snow shovels, windshield scrapers,

and leftover bags of ice melting salt. Make your way back, placing all at front of garage for ready use. Oh, and then neatly put away all of your family stuff or place at curb with a big sign: FREE.