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ideas for bulb plantings
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Posted by blaithinbeka 6 (My Page) on Sat, Sep 29, 07 at 17:30
| I just finished my first year of growing and selling cut flower at my local farmer's market. It was great, I did better than I ever expected, and so many of my customers were sad to see it was my last week. But I promised them I'd be back next year with more. One thing I thought about doing this fall was planting some bulbs to get an early start in the season(as I do not have a greenhouse and do most everything by direct seeding). Does anyone have any recommendations? I need a fairly low investment as bulbs go. I live in zone 6, the mountains of SW Virginia. Thank you so much. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: ideas for bulb plantings
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Beka,
How much area do you have to plant in? Tulips are always an option if you don't have deer problems already. They love tulips. I have the same problem you do, not enough to do the market early, and have given up on tulips due to the deer,disease problems and very cheap tulips that come in from other places. I too would love to know some other options.
Cheryl |
RE: ideas for bulb plantings
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| The only bulbs that I plants are dutch iris, hardy glads and another type of hardy glad (byzantinus) They seem to bloom for me last week of May thru the 2nd week of June. Good luck. Heidi |
RE: ideas for bulb plantings
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| If you are a Costco member, you can get tulip bulbs for about 17 cents each there. But will your market start soon enough for you to sell them? |
RE: ideas for bulb plantings
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| A little time since you posted but I had the same question as annebert. When does market start? Spring-flowering bulbs outdoors would be a bit tricky. Also, first-year plantings are nearly always a few days slower to bloom than established plantings of the same variety. At least that is my experience. If you get a hot spell, the flowers may past prime picking time before you get to a market day. If you don't make large bouquets, look at some late flowering, fragrant daffodils/Narcissus. |
RE: ideas for bulb plantings - glads
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| After posting, I happened to look at the "perennial" gladiolus posting and realized the information there might help you. In a google search of Gladiolus nanus, I even found a company which ships a mix in the Fall. Don't know if you still have time to plant in your area or not. |
RE: ideas for bulb plantings
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Heidi,
Do you plant your dutch iris outside or with some kind of protection? I am always short of things in late May after the tulips are done but before the summer perennials start. I have never tried dutch iris but I would have to grow them outside or maybe force them in crates. Any advice? Thanks,
Kirk |
RE: ideas for bulb plantings
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| What about Ranunculus, It blooms for me March through the end of April in Tx and is extremely productive. I field grew it but put up temp hoops and plastic over it just prior to flowering for protection. Needs pre-planting hydration and cold treatment for initiation of roots though. KIRK -I've grown Dutch Iris "Golden Beauty and Carmen" in the field, flower stems at bud stage need protection from frosts. Cheers - Kim BFFF |
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