April
is a great time to move your established bulbs. We're talking about
those flowering bulbs that you've had in the ground for years. Maybe
they've multiplied, and there are just too many plants for the site.
Here
are steps to digging up and successfully transplanting those extra bulbs
elsewhere:
1. Dig
up the clumps with a garden shovel or spade, being careful not to
damage the foliage.
2. Gently remove excess soil around the bulbs and tease apart the
tangled roots at the base of each bulb. If the larger bulb has
developed baby bulbs, go ahead and break them apart from the momma bulb.
3. Look at the bulbs: if they appear unhealthy, discard them.
4. Replant - plant them 6 inches deep and at least 4 to 6 inches apart,
and water them in the new area.
You
may also want to give some of your excess bulbs away to friends and
family. Remember not to damage the foliage as your digging because it's
needed to convert sunlight into plant food.
By
moving and transplanting your extra bulbs, next year you'll have cheery
springtime flowers once again - in more than once part of your
landscape!
