Bulbs, Bulbs, Bulbs!

Few plants bring as much joy as bulbs. From the first crocus pushing through melting snow to the bold splash of summer lilies, bulbs offer color, reliability, and rhythm to the garden year after year. They’re little packets of stored energy — tough, forgiving, and perfect for our four-season climate here in Southwest Colorado.

This guide covers everything you need to know: when to plant, how to care for bulbs through the seasons, and how to store them safely through the winter.

Why Bulbs Belong in Every Garden

Bulbs are some of the easiest and most rewarding plants you can grow. They:

• Provide color from early spring through fall.
• Break up tough soils with their growing roots.
• Are naturally resistant to many animal pests (and sometimes toxic if ingested).
• Thrive in our dry, sunny climate with minimal fuss.

When choosing bulbs, pay attention to your USDA Zone (typically 4–7) and your soil conditions. Most bulbs prefer well-draining soil — soggy roots are the fastest route to failure.

How to Plant Bulbs

The Golden Rule

Plant bulbs three times as deep as the bulb is tall.
Always place the pointed end up (where the shoot emerges) and the roots down.

Soil & Amendments

• Bulbs prefer simple, well-draining soil without heavy peat moss.
• Mix in a little bone meal or slow-release organic fertilizer like Yum Yum.
• Water after planting, and continue watering during dry winters and the growing season.

After Bloom

Once the flowers fade, let the foliage die back naturally. The leaves feed the bulb for next year’s bloom. Cutting or pulling foliage too early weakens the bulb.

Fall Planting for Spring Blooms

Fall is the time for classic perennials like:

• Crocus
• Daffodils
• Tulips
• Alliums
• Snowdrops

Plant these bulbs in mid-October, while the soil is still workable but cool. Water thoroughly after planting, and again in spring when shoots emerge.

💡 Local Tip: In Durango’s high-elevation climate, bulbs planted in October have time to establish before the soil freezes, ensuring strong roots and early color next year.

Spring Planting for Summer and Fall Blooms

Once frost danger has passed — roughly when you’d plant tomatoes — it’s time for summer bulbs like:

• Asiatic and Oriental Lilies
• Dahlias
• Gladiolus
• Cannas
• Begonias

These bring lush, tropical color through the hottest part of summer. However, many of them aren’t hardy in our winters and need to be harvested and stored once frost returns

Summer Planting for Fall Color

If you want to stretch your garden’s season, try late-summer bulbs such as Giant Crocus and Freesia. They add surprise bursts of color just as perennials and shrubs begin to fade

Winter and Holiday Bulbs

Bulbs like Amaryllis and Paperwhites are classic holiday houseplants. These are typically grown indoors for one showy bloom, then go dormant. If you’d like to “force” bulbs to bloom again, you can simulate winter dormancy by chilling them in a refrigerator or cool space before replanting

Harvesting and Storing Tender Bulbs

Bulbs such as Dahlias, Gladiolus, Cannas, Begonias, Freesias, Callas, and Caladiums must be dug up and stored through winter

Step-by-Step

1. Wait until foliage yellows in fall — usually after the first frost.
2. Cut back stems to a few inches.
3. Use a garden fork to gently dig around the tuber without slicing roots.
4. Shake off loose soil and let bulbs dry in a shady, airy spot for about a week.
5. Brush off remaining soil and dust lightly with fungicide to prevent rot.
6. Store bulbs in a tray or paper bag filled with perlite or vermiculite.

Keep them in a cool, frost-free location (35–50°F) such as a crawl space or garage, and check monthly for dryness — a few drops of water can prevent shriveling.

When spring returns, plant them outdoors once the soil has warmed — or start them indoors under lights for a head start

Local Bulb Care Tips for Southwest Colorado

• Mulch lightly in late fall to prevent soil heaving from freeze-thaw cycles.
• Deer & rodents love tulip bulbs but usually avoid daffodils, alliums, and fritillarias — mix resistant types into your beds.
• Irrigate deeply but infrequently during the growing season; bulbs prefer drying slightly between waterings.
• In very rocky soils, use bulb baskets or mesh cages to protect from burrowing critters.

The Takeaway

Bulbs are the heart of a four-season garden — simple to plant, easy to store, and endlessly rewarding. Whether you’re planting crocus in October, digging dahlias in November, or coaxing amaryllis to bloom in December, bulbs keep the cycle of color alive all year long.

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