The Best Part of Spring Is About to Begin

There is a particular kind of excitement that comes with knowing a box of Bulbs and Bareroots is on its way. Spring planting season is one of the most rewarding times in the gardening calendar, and the window between ordering and planting is actually one of the most useful moments to make sure everything is ready to go. A little preparation now means the moment those corms and roots arrive, they can go straight into well-prepared ground rather than sitting and waiting while beds get sorted out. Here is what to do in the meantime.

Check Your Beds Before Anything Else

The most important pre-planting task is assessing the condition of the beds where your bulbs will go. Soil that has been compacted over winter benefits from loosening to a depth of at least twelve inches before planting, which improves drainage and makes it easier for developing roots to move through the growing medium. If your beds have not been amended in a season or two, working in a few inches of compost at this stage sets up the planting with a nutritional foundation that pays forward through the entire growing season. Gladiolus in particular respond well to loose, well-draining soil, and the effort put into bed preparation before the first corm goes in shows up directly in stem quality and bloom performance come midsummer.

Think Through Your Layout Before You Dig

Having a rough layout plan in place before planting day makes the whole process faster and more satisfying. Consider the mature height of each species and position taller varieties like Gladiolus toward the back of a border or the center of an island bed where they will not shade shorter companions. Dahlias and mid-height perennials like Mixed Astilbe Bareroot Flower Bulbs and Mixed Phlox Bareroot Flower Bulbs sit naturally in the middle layer, with lower-growing varieties and fillers at the front. Sketching this out roughly on paper, or even just walking the space and making mental notes, prevents the common problem of planting everything in a hurry and realizing later that taller varieties are blocking shorter ones from view.

Gather Your Supplies

A few basic tools and materials make planting day considerably smoother. A quality bulb planter or narrow trowel handles individual corm planting efficiently, while a garden fork is useful for loosening larger sections of bed before planting in rows. Bamboo stakes and soft garden twine should be on hand before gladiolus go in the ground, since staking is easier to set up at planting time than after spikes are already in active growth. A bag of slow-release granular fertilizer worked into the soil at planting depth gives every corm and bareroot a strong nutritional start. Having all of this ready before the box arrives means planting day feels enjoyable rather than like a scramble.

Know Your Last Frost Date

Soil temperature is the most reliable guide for when to plant spring bulbs, and it tracks closely with last frost dates in most regions. Gladiolus corms should go in the ground once soil has reached a consistent fifty degrees at planting depth, which typically coincides with the period when sweet corn would traditionally be planted in your area. Bareroot Perennials like Astilbe and Liatris are similarly frost-sensitive and should wait until frost risk has passed before going in the ground. Gardeners in warmer regions across the South and Southwest are often already well past this threshold by early spring, while those in the upper Midwest and Northeast may be planting a few weeks later. The important thing is that the right moment arrives for every garden, and that moment is very close for most of the country right now.

What to Do When the Box Arrives

Spring planted Bulbs and Bareroot Perennials are best planted as soon as possible after arrival. If planting needs to be delayed by a few days due to weather or scheduling, store corms in a cool, dry location with good air circulation and keep bareroot perennials slightly moist and out of direct sunlight. Avoid storing corms in sealed plastic bags or airtight containers, as the lack of airflow can create conditions favorable to mold. Most orders will hold well for up to a week under proper storage conditions, but getting them in the ground promptly gives every variety the best possible start to the season.

Top 5 Things to Do Before Your Bulbs Arrive

• Loosen and amend beds to a depth of at least twelve inches
• Sketch a rough planting layout based on mature heights of each variety
• Gather stakes, ties, a trowel, and slow-release fertilizer before planting day
• Confirm your last frost date and check soil temperature before planting
• Clear a cool, dry storage spot in case planting needs to be delayed by a few days

The Season Starts Now

Spring planting is one of those gardening activities that rewards preparation more than almost anything else. The time spent getting beds ready and supplies organized before the first corm goes in the ground makes every subsequent step easier and more enjoyable. Browse the full range of Gladiolus and Spring Planted Bulbs if there are any last additions to make to your order before the season gets fully underway. The best summer garden starts with exactly this moment.