This year, for the first in many, I don’t have a yard in which to putter. I sold my house and have taken residence in a small apartment. But you know what I DO have? A balcony. A perfect place for container gardening!
Most fall bulbs adapt well to containers as well as the landscape, so if you’re short on space you can still enjoy all the beauty of spring-flowering bulbs. There are just a few things you need to remember in order to be successful.
- Chill: The most essential requirement for blooming success is the chilling period – at least 12 weeks of temperatures between 32–45°F. If you live in an area where winters are mild (zones 8 through 10), you should store your containers in the refrigerator. After the 12-week chilling period, move the containers outdoors.
- Pick a Pot: Bulbs are very adaptable, and you should choose the size of your containers based on the number of bulbs you want to plant. Pots should be at least 8” deep and have adequate drainage holes so roots won’t drown. DO NOT use self-watering pots for your spring-blooming bulbs.
- Potting Mix: Use a premixed potting soil that is light and drains easily. Do not use garden soil. You can also make your own, blending milled sphagnum moss, vermiculite or perlite, and finished compost. If you’re planting several bulbs in a large pot, you can reduce the weight by adding a few inches of packing peanuts to the bottom of the container. To promote drainage, you can also layer stones or pottery shards in the bottom of the pots.
- Planting: Place several inches of potting soil over the drainage material. Plant bigger bulbs, such as tulips and daffodils, about 6”deep. Smaller bulbs should be planted 2-3” deep.
- Layering: Create complete bulb gardens in containers by mixing different types of bulbs. Place larger bulbs on the bottom, and cover them with 1-2” of potting soil. Place smaller bulbs on top and cover with more soil. Come spring, you’ll enjoy a succession of colorful blooms over a longer period of time.
- Watering: Water your containers thoroughly after planting. Never let the soil dry out over the winter. Water about once a month, to keep the soil just barely moist.
- Winter Protection: If winter temperatures regularly fall below 32° F. in your area (zones 2 – 5), protect your containers from freezing by moving them to an unheated basement or garage. Otherwise, containers can remain outside.
There is nothing that says spring more cheerfully than a pot of radiant daffodils, so don’t deny yourself the pleasure just because you’re space-challenged … plant in pots!