Planting Bulbs in Garden Containers

Planting bulbs is a popular container gardening use, especially since planting bulbs in the fall allows you to not only do some gardening in the fall season, but prepare your plants for the spring!

You will need to select appropriate sized containers. A 10-12" pot will safely grow 8 to 14 bulbs, depending on their size. For tulips and daffodils, two of the most popular bulbs for container gardening, planting about 10 bulbs per 10-12" pot is a good number.

With a good quality soil mix, begin to fill the pot with soil, planting the bulbs so that the tops of the bulbs will be about one inch below the top of the soil. Don't forget that you shouldn't fill the soil right to the brim of the pot, leave about one inch space. This will help avoid soil overflow when watering and help keep your deck, patio or balcony free of soil. Also, be sure to plant the bulbs with the roots facing down - this usually means the pointy end of the bulb will be facing up.

Water thoroughly, and water on a regular basis if they are placed in a spot where they will not receive natural rainfall during the fall and winter months. Place your pots in a cool spot, moving them to a warmer spot at the first signs of growing.

You can also mix and match a variety of bulbs in the same pot, with some that will bloom early in the season, some mid-season and some in the late season. This way, you will always have flowers blooming.