You know that spring has arrived when the Daffodils/Narcissus are blooming in the landscape.

There is a large selection of varieties that come in different styles and colours. These brightly coloured spring flowering bulbs are easily identified by their central trumpet and six outer petals. Some varieties are double, meaning that there is more than one layer of outer petals, and some varieties have ruffled petals while others have a different coloured trumpet from the outer petals. The flowers also come in different shades of yellow, cream white, orange and apricot.

Spring flowering bulbs such as daffodils are planted in early fall and are now available at the garden centres. These bulbs are hardy enough to withstand our cold northern winters. They actually need to go through a cold spell in order for them to bloom. They are very easy to grow because daffodil bulbs are considered a true bulb meaning that the bulb contains the flower, stem, leaves and needed nutrients within the bulb. This means that when purchasing bulb, the bulb already has everything it needs to bloom and just needs to be planted. Keep this in mind when purchasing bulbs, because the bigger the bulb, the bigger the flower.

The first step to growing daffodils is buying large, firm, healthy bulbs. They can be bought packaged or in bulk.

If purchasing bulbs in bulk, buy at least 7 or more of one variety as this is the best way to plant them in the landscape. Purchase bulbs now so that they can be planted early enough that the bulb is able to form a good root system before the frost sets into the soil.

Daffodils are adaptable to many different conditions, but grow best in a fertile, well drained soil. If the soil is not well drained, it can be amended by mixing some compost in with the soil and then place some sand directly under the bulbs when planting them. Raised beds will also work. Plant the bulbs where they will receive full sun or partial shade. Plant the bulb with the pointed side up, at a depth that is three times the depth of the bulb. Plant bulbs in groups of 7 or more and space the bulbs 10-15 cm apart from each other. After digging the hole sprinkle some bonemeal in the hole before placing the bulbs in the ground. After the bulbs are covered with soil, water them in well, and keep the soil moist until the frost sets in.

In the spring the daffodils will bloom, and after blooming the finished flower should be removed, leaving the stem and foliage to die back naturally in 6-8 weeks. This is an important step as this is the time when the bulb is gathering the needed nutrients to form next years flower.

Daffodils can remain in the same spot in the garden for 3-5 years. When you notice that the flowers are becoming smaller it is time to dig up the bulbs and divide them, as the bulbs have become overcrowded. Daffodil bulbs naturally form new bulbs and after a few years they run out of room which is why they are divided. Dig up the bulbs in mid summer when the foliage has died. The bulbs are separated and then the larger bulbs are re planted in an other area of the landscape. It is always better to rotate your bulbs so that the same type of bulb is not always growing in the same place.

Planting daffodil bulbs is an economical and easy way to add early colour to the landscape. Daffodil bulbs are rarely bothered by squirrels, mice or deer because they are bitter tasting. They take very little work and once planted you can enjoy them for years to come!

-Jos

Jos Van Hage owns and operates two Art Knapp Home and Garden Centres in Prince Goerge:

• Highway 16  west at Kimball road
• Highway 97 North at Northwood Pulpmill road