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Show The Growing Season by Maria IMoch and Pace i:rikson Bring in the bulbs Gardeners should be more adventurous adven-turous when planning what kinds of bulbs to plant in the fall. Instead of choosingold favorites, do some research ahUcojieJgsscommon varieties. A Now is the time to select bulbs for planting from the end of August through mid-September, when the first frost will hit. First decide what kinds of bulbs you like and what you can afford in space and -dollars,- Then determine your planting area. Look for areas 1 that need some color corners, under trees and shrubs along paved areas and along rock walls. Bulbs are effective when planted on rough banks or besides a stream or pond. Be creative and remember, bulbs look best when planted in clumps or clusters, not set out alone. If you have a perennial garden, . consider using bulbs to add color in early spring before perennial flowers bloom. After the bulb has died back to the ground, cut the stem back and plant an annual in the bulb's place. One advantage to using bulbs in your landscape is their ease of maintenance. After planting them, your only chore is to keep the area tidy. Before setting out bulbs, read directions to determine how far apart and at what; depth to plant them. Also be 'aware !of requirements for light. Use a bulb planter to insert bulbs into the ground and add a teaspoon of bone meal under each bulb to enhance root growth. Bulbs do well at high altitudes, since they like cold winters and warm springs. They will bring color to your garden from early spring through summer. - i |