A bed full of tulips, daffodils and hyacinth are an exciting sight. Usually signs of spring coming soon. Bulbs play an important role in the garden. Bulbs come in all sizes, shapes and colors, and there are bulbs for every landscape.

There are tender and hardy bulbs. Hardy bulbs need a period of cold during dormancy. Tender bulbs can not tolerate cold temperatures at any time of the year. In Kansas tender bulbs need to be dug up and stored.

Fall planting for spring blooms include tulips, narcissus, crocus and hyacinth among others.

Spring planting for summer blooms include lilies and liatris (hardy bulbs) and tender bulbs of cannas, dahlias, gladiolus and elephant ears.

Planting your bulbs
Plant in a well drained sunny location. Work cotton boll compost into the soil, and mix bone meal in the bottom of the hole to provide a slow release fertilizer. Cover the bulb with soil, planting at correct depth. Sprinkle with bulb food on the surface and water in. After your bulbs have finished flowering do not remove the leaves. The bulb underground is storing food for the next year. Cut back the foliage when it has turned yellow and can be pulled easily from the bulb.

Storing tender bulbs
When the foliage has been "touched" by frost in the fall, carefully dig up bulbs. Allow the bulb to dry. Store in a paper bag or cardboard box with peat moss. Replant in spring when soil temperatures have warmed.

There are bulbs to be grown indoors for winter blooms. Amaryllis and paper whites are favorites for the Christmas Holidays. Johnson's will have all your bulb needs to begin planting this fall. So roll up your sleeves and put on your gloves and begin to plan your garden. We are here to help. Have FUN!!!