Estabrook's Garden Newsletter

Using Bulbs in Containers

Plant bulbs in containers to add great springtime color anywhere

Container planting is great way to use spring bulbs. Growing in containers is a good alternative if you don't have garden space, but it's also a good choice if you are restricted by too much shade, poor soil, too little time, limited mobility or a difficult climate.

Choosing a Container

The bulbs you choose to grow will determine the best container size. Outdoor containers need to be large enough to accommodate the correct planting depth and to allow for root growth. In general, use the largest container possible because the more soil there is, the more root space there will be and the more water your container will hold. This is important because it means your plants do not need to be watered as frequently.

Planting Spring Bulbs

Brighten your entry way, deck, balcony or patio with welcoming spring blooming bulbs such as crocus, hyacinths, narcissi and tulips. They provide color early and combine beautifully with cool season annuals such as pansies, snapdragon, diascia, nemesia, calendula and lobelia.

Plant spring blooming bulbs in outdoor containers in fall, at the same time you plant bulbs in the ground.

1. Use a container with drainage holes and partially fill it with potting soil. Do not use garden soil because it does not drain well and may cause your bulbs to rot.
2. Plant the bulbs at the depth suggested on the package or tear-off. Add soil to within 1 inch of the top of the container. Fertilizer isn't necessary because bulbs contain all the food they need for now.
3. Thoroughly soak the entire pot with water and place the container in a dark, cool place (below 50 degrees and above 32 degrees) until early spring. During this period, keep the soil moist.
4. Move the containers outdoors in early spring and enjoy!

Composting - Make Your Garden Work For You!

Your own nutrient rich compost will benefit your garden for years to come!

Clean-up is one of the most important landscape chores of the fall season, but what are you supposed to do with all that "yard waste" you're pulling out of your garden? It's simple - make it work for you! By creating a compost pile, your waste is working for you, and not against you.

Start the compost pile by putting bulky materials like broken-up twigs and chopped cornstalks on the bottom of the pile or bin. Doing this will help with aeration throughout the pile.

If you live near the woods or you've noticed animals near your property or garden, purchasing a compost bin would be a good idea. These enclosed structures will protect your pile from animal disturbances and most new models allow for easy turning and compost maintenance.

When constructing your compost pile, it's important to have a good mix of "green" and "brown" material to encourage a healthy mixture. "Brown" material can be leaf litter raked up in the yard, small twigs, small amounts of corrugated cardboard and newspaper (no colored inks). To help your pile break down quicker, remember to shred your leaf waste.

"Green" matter can be cutback perennials, green kitchen scraps and lawn clippings (as long as there aren't any chemical residues on the lawn).

Once the pile has been built, upkeep is quite easy. Just remember to keep your pile evenly moist, turn it periodically and add a bit of lime to help decrease the acidity in the long run.

By following these simple steps, your compost pile will turn to "black gold" and aid your garden for years to come!