Spring-Flowering Bulbs:

With some advanced planning, you will be able to choose from a wide variety of spring bulbs which will bloom early, mid or late spring.

• Early spring bloomers include Winter Aconites,
• Snowdrops, fragrant Puschkinia, Glory of the Snow, tiny Iris Reticulata, Anemone Blanda and Crocus.
• The Daffodils and Narcissi are next with various heights ranging from 15 cm to 60 cm (6” – 24”) and colours from the traditional yellow, to white, orange and peach. Try placing them with the intense blue of the Grape Hyacinths or Scilla. Another great Hyacinth for your spring garden is fragrant Hyacinths. Besides blue, they are also available in shades of pink, red, white, peach and pale yellow. The Daffodils and Narcissus need to be planted in September or early October as they require some rooting before the cold weather arrives.
• Tulips come in three distinct groups depending on bloom time (early, mid or late). Much the same as Daffodils, they are available in many heights while their colour range is much broader. The shape of the tulip flower ranges from a large cup to a flat star, a fringed cup, or a double that can look like a Peony or a feathered specimen called “Parrot”. Blooms can be held singly on strong stems or in clusters.
• Allium comes into flower toward the end of May. These “ornamental onions” have an exotic look and range in height from 30 cm - 125 cm (12” - 4’).

Planting Spring Flowering Bulbs

These bulbs flourish in well drained soil and will come back for a number of years when they are planted where sun is plentiful.

• Ensure you follow the package instructions for the proper planting depth and spacing of each bulb.
• Add Bulb Booster, Bone Meal, or Super Phosphate to the planting area for superior blooms.
• For a large ‘drift’ effect, plant 30-50 of the same variety of bulb. In foundation plantings, rock gardens, perennial, and mixed borders arrange the bulbs in
• clumps of 7 to12 or more.
• Do not plant your bulbs in single rows as they will fall over without the support of their neighbours.
• Always allow the foliage to die back naturally. This process feeds the bulb that produces the flower for the following year. You can enhance the flowering of all
• your bulbs with annual applications of Bulb Booster each spring.

Protection from Squirrels

Unfortunately, squirrels adore spring-flowering bulbs. They’ve been known to re-arrange or completely remove your carefully arranged groups. Here are some guidelines to try to keep them away:

• Sprinkle Blood Meal or Critter Ridder over the bulbs before covering with soil.
• Make another application of either product for the top of the soil. a general fertilizer like Parkwood® All Purpose Plant Food 20-20-20 or Parkwood® Garden-All 4-12-8, specifically formulated for vegetables.
• One of the best ways to determine the health of your soil is with a test kit available at all Sheridan Nurseries Garden Centres.

How is Fertilizer Applied?

• Fertilizer comes in a granular slow-release form or a compressed spike that’s pushed into the soil. It’s also available as a powder or liquid that is diluted with water.
• Granulars are spread over the surface of the soil or lawn, at the recommended rate, by hand for smaller areas or with a spreader for larger areas.
• Generally, it lasts 6-8 weeks.
• Spikes for trees and shrubs, fruit trees, and evergreens are pushed into the ground at the drip line in spring.
• For mature specimens, a root feeder mixes water with a fertilizer pellet and distributes the solution through a long shaft pushed into the soil. It can also be used for deep watering during periods of prolonged drought.
• Liquid and powder fertilizers can be applied over a large area with a hose-end sprayer that attaches to a garden hose or, for small jobs, diluted with water in a watering can or bucket.
• When Are Fertilizers Applied?
• Spring is the best time to fertilize when outdoor plants start growing again.
• Be aware of the time period that fertilizers release nutrients so you know when or if you need to re-apply.
• Most granular fertilizer is slow-release and may be applied once or twice a year for perennial and mixed borders.
• Lawns are fertilized 2-4 times a year depending on their general condition. Fertilizer spikes are put into the ground once in spring.
• Anything mixed with water is quickly used by plants and is, therefore, applied more often.
• Grass needs fall feeding. Stop fertilizing after September 1, and roses by August 1. This allows the natural cycle ofdormancy to take place rather than forcing growth that may not have time to harden off before winter.

What’s Organic Fertilizer?

Organic Fertilizer is derived from once living vegetable or animal material that may include kelp, seaweed, fish, bone meal (2-14-0), and blood meal (12-0-0). Even manure and compost can be considered organic fertilizers. Inorganic or synthetic fertilizers are manufactured from a chemical process or mined. The concentration of nutrients is usually higher. Indoor Plant Fertilizer for house plants have their own needs.

• Schultz Instant 10-15-10 is highly recommended for all.
• For flowering plants try Schultz Bloom Builder 5-30-5.
• African violets perform well with Schultz African Violet Plus 8-14-9 or Parkwood® 15-30-15..
• Orchids like Schultz Orchid Food 19-31-17. Better-Gro makes two products for orchids; Orchid Bloom Booster 11-35-15 and Orchid Plus 20-14-13.
• Even Cactus and Succulents have their own fertilizer. Schultz Cactus Plus 2-7-7 maintains healthy plants and promotes flowering.
• Fertilize houseplants when they show active signs of growth. They often rest from November to March because light levels are low. At this time, it’s better to feed them once every 4-6 weeks.

In all cases, read package instructions carefully and follow dilution rates exactly. If in doubt ask the staff of trained horticulturists at your local Sheridan Nurseries Garden Centre.