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tulips
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Posted by oldroser z5 (My Page) on Sun, Oct 31, 04 at 11:21
| Was just out planting three dozen, covering them with grit before filling in the holes. Hopefully that will deter rodents - especially chipmunks. I've planted all the daffs and 30 crocus - will see if I can pick up something on sale tomorrow. Next job is potting up hyacinths for forcing indoors. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: tulips
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| What is 'grit' and where do you get it? Do you think the bulbs do OK without soil touching them? I've always wondered about this method. I too, have a problem with varmints eating my bulbs. |
RE: tulips
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| Grit is finely crushed granite which is fed to chickens (they keep it in their gizzard to grind food since they don't have teeth). You can buy it at Agway. The bulbs do fine in it - they send their roots down through the grit ad it helps provide drainage as well as keeping off rodents. I buy the large size grit (it comes in grades depending on the size of chicken - baby chicks get very fine grit). It is also great mixed with potting soil for plants that need 'sharp' drainage. A good thing to put under lily bulbs when planting them. |
RE: tulips
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| Thanks! What does your soil look like after a number of years of bulb planting? I worry that my garden will turn to gravel (small garden)with all that grit, since I rotate beds a lot. Do you plant your bulbs in the same place all the time? |
RE: tulips
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| A belated answer - since I keep mulching with orgainc material and adding compost, don't have to worry about it 'turning to gravel.' Actually, gravel was how it started out, bank-run gravel used as fill. Years of mulching and soil additives have turned it into a fairly good loam. |
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