The temperatures are the highest they’ve been in months and the soil’s warmed up too. I know what it is you think we’re getting at- it’s prep up for spring time! It is indeed, just as it is time when your spring bulbs need to be protected against drastic weather changes: unexpected frosts, to be more precise. Spring bulbs take the risen soil temperature for their cue to start blooming and while the underground bulbs themselves are usually secure underground, the emerging buds, foliage and flowers stand to suffer severe injury from an unexpected freeze or frost unless you can help it. The good news is, you can help it. Here’s how…
When planting spring flowering bulbs, make sure you cover them with a 2-4 inch layer of mulch. This simple, cost effective maneuver will keep them safe from inclement weather conditions before they begin to sprout.
Hoop Houses
You may have seen these cute “houses” made of pipes and plastic. Well, they’re a big help when it comes to protecting spring flowering bulbs from frost! They can be purchased at your local gardening center, and we’ve seen some great ones online. If you’re handy, they’re fairly simple to build – curved PVC pipe and plastic sheeting is available at most home improvement stores.
Cloche-cover
Cover the bulbs in bloom with a cloche (a one gallon milk jug will be equally as effective) and you can put your frost-risen worries to bed. Remember to wake up in time to remove the cloche-covers soon as the temperatures rise.
Stake the ground above the tallest plants in your garden and cover with a landscape fabric or some lightweight material (my mother was known to use old bed sheets for this project – an interesting look for my childhood yard!). Again, you must remove the covers soon as it gets warm.
