Overview

Flower bulbs offer gardeners an easy, economical way of producing a vibrant flower garden. Bulb flowers come in a vast array of colors, sizes and flowering periods. Gardeners often plant bulbs in intervals to obtain continuous blossoms throughout the spring and fall seasons. Even when the blooms have faded, these plants accentuate flowerbeds or containers with their showy foliage. Bulbs provided with satisfactory growing conditions will fervently blossom year after year.

History

Flower bulbs cultivated for commercial purposes began in the late 16th century in Haarlem, a municipality in the Netherlands. Haarlem, however, is not the place of their origin. Tulip bulbs came from central Asia, and dahlias originated in Mexico. The amaryllis bulb originated in South America, while freesias and calla lilies hailed from South Africa. When these bulbs were brought to Haarlem, their marketing value was quickly recognized. Thus, they became popular throughout Haarlem and surrounding regions. Today, flower bulb production continues to be an important, profitable industry in the Netherlands.

Types of Bulbs

Bulbs are divided into two general categories: Spring-flowering bulbs should be planted in the fall since root development is stimulated through the dormant period of frigid temperatures. These bulbs must be in the ground before the first heavy frost, be exposed to full or partial sun and be planted in locations that have good drainage. Spring-flowering bulbs include tulips and daffodils. Summer and fall-flowering bulbs are planted in late spring. These flowers do well in borders, rock gardens, ground covers, containers and hanging baskets but cannot survive winter temperatures. Bulbs dug up each fall should be stored in a cool location until planting time. Lilies, colchicums and saffron crocuses are examples of this type of bulb.

Identification

“Bulb” is a common term referring to the fleshy storage system of plants that grow from underground. In reality, not all of these storage systems are bulbs. All flowers grown in such manner are not grown from bulbs. Some plants, such as the cannas, are grown from rhizomes. Gladioli are grown from corms. Dahlias are produced from tuberous roots. Corms are shorter and rounder than bulbs and usually have a flat top and a concave bottom. Rhizomes are plants with a root-like stem and tuberous roots are just that–roots.
Conditions for Growing

For a bulb plant to develop properly and produce every spring, it must be given a proper growing environment. Bulbs should be planted in an area where they can remain undisturbed through cold winter temperatures. Poor soil can be fortified with organic matter. Mulching the ground can help protect the plants from heaving–uprooting that can occur through continuous freezing and thawing of the ground. All foliage should remain on established plants after spring or fall blooms have faded. This enables the plants to replenish food supplies through photosynthesis. When this process is complete, foliage will die back naturally. Dried plants can be removed when foliage has died back completely.

Reproduction of Plants

Some bulbous plants produce seeds that can be germinated and grown into flowering plants. This method of propagation is not as popular as propagation by division. Propagation by division is, in most cases, easier, and flower color and type can be predicted. New bulbs develop quickly in the spring. These young bulbs are closely attached at the bottom of the mature bulb. Separation must take place for the mature bulb to continue to produce proficient plants and blooms.

Garden Guides

Why do you have mushrooms in your lawn?

Mushrooms are a fungus, and most fungi are able to propagate when something is decaying. In your lawn, when mushrooms pop up, it usually means something is dead and decaying beneath the surface.

It could be  from buried construction debris, old tree stumps and roots, and even a buried pet that causes mushrooms to appear in your lawn. A popular mushroom pattern seen in lawns is called a “Fairy Ring” which is just a group of shrooms growing up from an old tree stump.

Some types of mushrooms also may grow due to soil conditions and pooling water. Whatever the reason, it is really nothing to be overly concerned about. Mushrooms only look bad, and don’t really cause any harm to your lawn. However, many homeowners are concerned about the presence of mushrooms in relation to their young children or pets and the possibility of them ingesting them.

How to get rid of Mushrooms in your lawn

If you see mushrooms, try to think back about what might have been there years ago. Did you cut down an old tree there? Did you dig a shallow grave for your beloved pet?

Whatever the case, you can try digging up the area and removing the source of decay. In some cases, this may to be feasible, so here is an old home remedy that I used with very good success:

* First, break off the mushrooms with our lawn mower or a shovel.
* Second, mix up some liquid dish soap (about 1/4 cup) in 3 gallons of warm water.
* Third, saturate the mushrooms and surround areas with the mixture. Make more as needed until the entire area is covered with the soapy water.
* Fourth, repeat these steps again in one week.

The dish soap will not harm the grass, but something in it seems to neutralize the fungal growth. This is just a temporary fix, and you may need to try it again in a couple months, but it DOES WORK!

LIFE & LAWN

Where we all run out and spend tons of money on mosquito repellents.  Though most of us are aware that Citronella and Lemon Grass will help ward off the blood sucking insects; beyond those two, most aren’t aware that there are tons of plants that are foes to the flying menace.  Below we have listed several additional plants that you can become familiar with and place around the yard and house as you see fit.

lemongrass

Citronella Grass (Cymbopogon nardus)

catnip

Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

peppermint

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
Garlic (Allium sativum)
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.)
Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)

Lavendar

Lavendar (Lavandula angustifolia )

Wild Plants That Repel Mosquitoes

Vanilla Leaf (Achlys triphylla) is a plant native to the northwest and Japan. Indigenous peoples were known to hang bundles of the dried plants in and around their dwellings to keep mosquitoes and flies away. The plant can be rubbed on the skin fresh or dried to deter mosquitoes. I think its interesting that it often grows in shady, moist areas – the very places where mosquitoes can be the thickest.

wormwood

Sagebrush, Wormwood, and Mugwort (Artemisia spp.) are in the same genus (plant grouping). All of these species can be used as an aromatic smudge that is known to be a very effective mosquito repellent. The crushed leaves can also be applied directly to the skin. These species grow in the drier habitats of the west, including the plains, deserts, and mountainous regions.

pineapple weed

Pineapple weed (Matricaria matricarioides) (pictured above) is a common weedy species that grows all over North America. It can be found growing in lawns, edges of roads, and other disturbed areas. The aromatic crushed plant can be applied to the skin to help repel mosquitoes.

Additional wild plants known to repel mosquitoes:

Nodding onion (Allium cernuum)

Wild bergamot

Wild bergamot (Mondarda fistulosa)
Snowbrush (Ceonothus velutinus)

Sweetfern

Sweetfern (Comptonia peregrina)
Cedars (Thuja spp.)

You’ll notice that some of the ones that you may choose to use on the outdoor patio also have solar panel attachments, so you won’t need to run power out to them.  Most of these are small enough to fit in a sun room.

The purpose of these water features and the reason they’re so popular, is the soothing feeling the sound of water brings to someone who has had a stressful day.

If you’re looking to add flair and character to an open space or just a corner of your yard - wishing wells make a great addition.

Depending on how you go about acquiring your well, either through Craigslist, buying the lumber, stone, or a prefab – this will dectate how much costs are involved, along with labor.  Odds are, for a no frills wishing well, you’re looking at $20 -400.00.

There are all types of wells out there to choose from.  If you plan to go with a wooden model, we recommend that you make sure the well is constructed out of cedar.  This will give the well a few additional years over pine and won’t require extensive cleaning and treating.

You should know that any wooden well is going to turn after spending some time out in the elements.  Sanding and treating will prolong the look of the well, but ultimately, mother nature will over come all your hard work.  Though, some people appreciate the character given to a weathered well.  It’s up to you.