How to Prepare Flower Beds for Bulbs
- 1). Select an appropriate location for your bulbs. Most spring bulbs require at least six hours of full sunlight per day. While most summer bulbs require full sunlight, some bulbs will do best in partial shade. Select a spot where water doesn't stand on the soil after a rainfall.
- 2). Cultivate the soil in the planting area to a depth of 12 to 18 inches, using a garden fork, spade or rototiller.
- 3). Improve soil quality and drainage by adding organic material such as compost or well-aged animal manure. Use your spade or garden fork to dig the organic material into the top 8 to 10 inches of soil. Use approximately three to five bushels of organic material for every 100 square feet of planting area. Organic material will help provide rich soil for bulbs, but it is especially crucial in poorly draining soil.
- 4). Mix a balanced fertilizer with a ratio such as 10-10-10 or 15-15-15 into the top 4 to 6 inches of soil. Alternatively, use a fertilizer formulated specifically for bulbs. Either will provide the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium needed to keep the bulbs healthy. Use approximately 1 pound of fertilizer per 100 square feet of planting area.
- 5). Rake out any rocks, clumps, weeds or large dirt clods.
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