How to Build a Layered Bulb Planter

Fed up with critters stealing your bulbs or waiting for the foliage to die back after your bulbs finish flowering? In this episode of Down the Garden Path podcast, Joanne Shaw explains why creating a layered bulb planter may be the solution you’re looking for.

How to build a layered bulb planter:

• Choose the container carefully.
  • Size and drainage are important.
  • You can choose a plastic one that you will then use as a liner inside a “prettier” pot, or you can plant it right into a decorative pot -- just make sure you can move it to the garage now and back out into the garden in the spring.
• Choose at least 3 types and or sizes of bulbs.
  • Be sure to consider the bloom times.
  • Do you want them to stagger out a few weeks to bloom, or do you want them to bloom at approximately the same time?
  • This is not an exact science so there are no guarantees that bulbs will bloom when you want them to.
• Make sure the bottom layer of bulbs is tall enough to grow out of the pot.
  • Start by adding at least 1 to 2 inches of potting soil at the bottom of the pot.
  • You can sprinkle a bit of bulb fertilizer if you would like.
  • Insert the bulbs approximately a couple of inches apart, close enough for the bulbs to support each other.
  • Top with another 2 inches of potting soil and a handful of fertilizer, then add the second layer of bulbs.
• Repeat for the subsequent layers.
• Water the container thoroughly after planting: you should see that a bit of water has come out of the drainage hole.
• These pots can then be stored in an unheated garage, shed or sheltered area between garages for instance.
  • Do not store in direct sunlight. The goal is to avoid the freeze and thaw that inevitably occurs in our winters.
• Throughout the winter, water the plants thoroughly but intermittently.
  • Think about doing it when it rains or snows outside.
  • You don’t want the soil too wet or the bulbs may rot.
  • If there’s snow, you could even top them off with a shovel of it to keep them watered and cool.
• In the spring, take them out of storage and place them around the yard.
• You can also do this on a smaller scale to have some small bulb planters in the house for spring or maybe even an Easter centrepiece or gift.