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Annuals/Bulbs

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Expert: - 9/16/2009


Question
Hello C. L.,
I am planting a few bulbs outside now, daffodils, tulips and a few others.
Could you advise me about watering, should they be watered after planting, - regularly, or not at all?
Living in Southern UK.
Many thanks,
K. Tourle.

Answer
Kenneth,
You'll want to water them right after planting, partly to settle them in, and partly to settle the soil. Sometimes animals will dig them up because they sense disturbed soil, so watering well helps to prevent animal vandals!

After that, I'd only water if you don't get rain for longer than ten days. The bulbs are growing their roots all winter, so if it's too dry they won't have as large a root system and then won't be as strong. But if it rains well every week or ten days they will be fine without additional water.

I hope this helps,
C.L.

Annuals

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C.L. Fornari

Expertise

Annuals suggested for specific situations (sun, shade, windowboxes etc) New or unusual annuals are a particular interest of mine, and I grow many of these from seed. I am happy to help problem solve, answer questions about maintenance, and guide you to sources of unusual plants.

Experience

I am a garden writer/speaker/consultant and host of a weekly gardening radio program in the Northeast. I have been gardening all my life for my own pleasure, and started as a professional gardener and garden communicator 15 years ago. I work part-time at a garden center, selling and tending shrubs/trees/annuals/perennials...and doing some propagation and design work. I often think that all these professional activities serve to put a somewhat legitimate framework around a serious case of plant-lust.

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