About Long Island Gardener Expertise Growing Tulips? Dahlias? Daffodils? Gladiolus? It doesn't get easier than bulbs and tubers. Once in a while, something goes wrong: The dreaded Narcissus Bulb Fly, which resembles a honeybee. Mosaic virus, which can ignite a field of tulips in a single season. Nematodes, lurking underground. Here on the North Shore of Long Island, the garden is full of surprises. If you live in the Northeast/Atlantic Coast, I can help you pick the right bulb for every season, indoors and out, and help you fertilize, bloom and harvest for home or work. How: I have degrees in related fields, but my best understanding is all learned from trial and error. For most of my 53 years I have been gardening somewhere. No matter what the problem, I've learned the best answers are always Organic -- Earth friendly, less expensive, healthier for people and pets, easier and cleaner than toxic liquids and powders that big chemical companies sell so smoothly.
Experience Besides degrees in related fields, and a few favorite horticultural societies, I work as a docent at our local botanical gardens -- but it's the years of work in the garden that's the real test.
Question I would like to reuse last years potted spring bulbs.After flowering I fed them with Chicken Manure. How shall I prepare them for next spring?
Answer Sounds like you've had a busy Summer. Plant them in the ground right now, an average 6 inches is good for most Bulbs although if you have hungry squirrels in the area, 8 to 12 inches may be better. Daffodils are never a problem because Squirrels find they taste awful.
Make sure any area you use for these is PERFECTLY drained, or they'll rot from the ice cold Water and never bloom.
Chicken Manure is a bit high in Nitrogen. I would stay away from high N fertilizers, even if they are organic, and focus more on low-N high-P and -K fertilizers instead, and yes they SHOULD still be organic. Summers should be bone dry.
