Adding bulbs, corms, and tubers to garden beds is a little different from planting typical perennials or annuals. Here are a few tips to help ensure a bountiful summer-bulb display.
Photo: Stephanie Fagan
1. Make the most of your martagons. Plant martagon lily bulbs in groups of three or more to give the planting an established look rather than waiting years for a single bulb to create a small stand.
Photo: Carol Collins
2. You’ll be glad you saved them. If you live in a cold climate outside of the hardiness range of these bulbs, corms, and tubers, you will need to lift and store them for winter. Your goal will be to keep them cool, dark, and relatively dry until it is time to plant again
next spring.
Photo: Carol Collins
3. Get tuberous begonias off to a good start. At least a month before your average last frost date, plant each begonia tuber in a 4- to 5-inch pot, barely covered with a peaty indoor soil mix. I make my own mix that is 50 percent dry peat moss, 25 percent perlite, and 25 percent vermiculite. Shift the plants to larger clay pots when the leaves reach 4 inches in length.
Photo: Michelle Gervais
4. Cut with care. When you are gathering orienpet lilies for a cut arrangement, be sure to leave at least two-thirds of each stem behind. The leaves that remain intact will help recharge the bulb for next year’s show.
Thomas Hobbs and his partner, Brent Beattie, own and operate Southlands Nursery in Vancouver, British Columbia.
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Corona® Multi-Purpose Metal Mini Garden Shovel
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Longer Service Life: The blade of this round small shovel is made of carbon steel, which can effectively improve the hardness by high temperature quenching, and the surface has anti-rust coating to avoid rusting. In the process of use when encountering hard objects will not bend and deformation.
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Manufactured in USA; Two position telescoping handle adjusts up to 62" in height for tall loads. 700 lb horizontal capacity, 600 lb vertical capacity. Converts in seconds from 2 wheel dolly into 4 wheel cart. Heavy-duty pneumatic all-terrain 10" wheels and 5" durable swivel casters for easy maneuverability of bulky loads. 14" x 7" Heavy gauge base plate and wheel fenders to protect the load from the wheels.
Spearhead Shade Gardening Shovel with Steel-Reinforced Fiberglass Handle
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Reduce Digging Effort - The Spear Head Spade is the first hybrid shovel/spade, guaranteed to make your toughest digging up to 80% easier than regular shovels and spades, even in the toughest soil conditions. Ideal for landscaping and gardening.
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