Plant bulbs before freeze

The growing season is winding down but some of the nurseries still have late-season bargains ready to plant. If you hustle a bit, you can find some nice additions to your garden.

Layers of blooms

Bulbs are on sale now. Before you buy, make sure they are still plump and firm, not withered at all. Plant the bulbs immediately before the ground freezes.

Here is a nifty trick to create a bulb garden that will give you a show of different bulbs in the spring: Layer bulbs that bloom at different times through the spring in the same hole. Dig a large, flat hole three times the height of the largest bulb. For daffodils or tulips that may be six inches. Place the bulbs about six inches apart and fill the hole half full of dirt. Place another layer of smaller bulbs like small alliums, scilla and crocus, four or five inches apart on this layer of dirt and finish filling the hole. Mark the location with stakes so you don’t dig in the area accidentally.

Still time to plant trees

Some nurseries will still have deciduous trees in their fall glory and conifers available. These will need to be planted immediately to take advantage of whatever ground heat we have left. However, tree planting methods have changed.

Dig a wide, dish-shaped hole (no straight sides) as deep as the root ball and three times as wide. Place the tree in the hole and remove pots and any burlap and twine from the root ball. On the tree’s lower trunk, look for the point where the trunk flares out to form the roots. You may have to dig into the root ball to find it. Backfill the hole until the soil is level with the root flare point. Do not amend the dirt with compost. Water well. If you are in a windy area, stake the tree using tree stakes fitted with pieces of old garden hose around the trunk. Never use wire.

Plan for the holidays

Thinking about a living Christmas tree this year? Plan now where it will go in the yard and dig the hole before the ground freezes. Put the dirt somewhere it won’t freeze. After the holidays all you have to do is put your tree in the hole, backfill it with the saved soil and water well.

Temporary solution

Still have plants sitting around in pots you haven’t had time to plant? Heal them into a nursery bed for the winter, pots and all. Clear a space in a garden bed and dig a large flat-bottomed hole to the depth of the top of the pot. Place the pots into the hole so that the rims are slightly below the surface and cover with dirt. Be sure to pack dirt between them for insulation. The plants will be insulated by the ground but easy to retrieve in the spring.