As the season winds down, Laura from Garden Answer takes on her final bulb planting of the year, sharing practical planting and bulb-care tips along the way. In this project, she plants more than 300 Thalia daffodils alongside a mix of spring bloomers, including Persian Pearl, Snowdrops, and Lilac Wonder—showing how late-season planting can still deliver impressive results.
Laura walks us through her process, emphasizing the importance of proper bulb depth, spacing, and soil preparation. These foundational steps help bulbs establish strong roots before winter, setting the stage for healthy growth and vibrant blooms in spring.
To support early root development, Laura incorporates Espoma Organic Bulb-tone at the time of planting. This organic, slow-release fertilizer is specially formulated for bulbs and helps:
Encourage strong root growth before dormancy
Support bigger, more vibrant spring blooms
Feed gradually over time for long-term plant health
Reduce the risk of burning young roots compared to quick-release fertilizers
By combining proven planting techniques with the right nutrition, this end-of-season bulb planting shows how a little extra care now can make a big difference when spring arrives.
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Espoma_1225_GardenAnswer_Bulbs_Thumbnail.png7201280Matt Dauphinaishttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngMatt Dauphinais2025-12-23 10:38:372025-12-23 11:06:16VIDEO: Planting the Last Bulbs of the Season with Garden Answer
Laura from Garden Answer shows how to plant spring-blooming bulbs in large containers for a big, colorful show next season. She fills eight pots with Menton tulips and Spanish bluebells, feeding them with Espoma Organic Bulb-tone and then topdressing with Espoma Organic Land & Sea Compost to refresh the tired soil and support strong, natural growth.
The Planting Plan: A “Bouquet” in Every Pot
Laura creates a layered “bouquet” effect in each container:
Center: Menton tulips
Outer edge: Spanish bluebells
Both bloom late in the season, so the colors overlap beautifully. Spanish bluebells grow about 14–18″ tall, while Menton tulips reach 23–25″, giving each pot a soft, tiered look. Planting in raised containers keeps everything at waist height, which makes bulb planting much easier than digging in the ground.
Step-by-Step: How Laura Plants Her Bulb Containers
1. Prepare the Container
Laura removes soil down to about 6 inches deep. This makes room for the first layer of bulbs and ensures they’re planted at the proper depth.
2. Amend the Soil with an Organic Fertilizer
Before placing any bulbs, she sprinkles Espoma Organic Bulb-tone into the container.
Why it helps:
Provides slow-release, organic nutrition right where roots grow.
Encourages strong root development, which is key for bulbs to overwinter and bloom well.
Gentle, natural formula that’s safe for people, pets, and pollinator-friendly gardens when used as directed.
3. Plant Tulips “Shoulder to Shoulder”
Menton tulip bulbs go in first at 6 inches deep, planted:
Pointy side up, flat side down.
Very close together—“shoulder to shoulder”—rather than spaced as they would be in the ground.
This tight spacing lets her fit about 100 tulip bulbs per pot, creating a dense, show-stopping spring display.
4. Add Spanish Bluebells
She covers the tulips with a couple of inches of soil, then plants the Spanish bluebells in a ring around the outer edge at about 4 inches deep. Bluebell bulbs look a bit different, but the rule still applies: roots down, growth point up.
5. Add compost
Because the potting mix has been used before and is showing roots and wear, Laura doesn’t just add more regular soil. Instead, she topdresses each container with Espoma Organic Land & Sea Compost.
Why it helps:
Adds rich organic matter back into tired soil.
Improves soil structure and moisture retention, which bulbs love.
Supplies a gentle nutrient boost from premium ingredients like lobster and kelp meal, helping bulbs grow strong and bloom beautifully.
6. Water Thoroughly
After planting and topdressing, Laura waters each container deeply.
Her key watering tip:
Aim for even moisture across the entire soil surface, not just one side of the pot.
In winter, check containers every 2–3 weeks. The goal is soil that’s slightly moist, never soggy, and never bone dry.
Bulb-Specific Tips for Container Success
Laura’s main bulb care reminders:
Chill time matters:
Tulips and daffodils generally need 12–16 weeks of consistent cold (around 35–45°F).
Hyacinths often need 8–10 weeks; crocus and snowdrops around 6–8 weeks.
Mild climate? Go pre-chilled: If you garden in a warmer region, order pre-chilled bulbs so they arrive ready to plant and still bloom well.
Drainage is essential: Containers must have drainage holes so bulbs don’t sit in water and rot. In very wet climates, you may need to protect pots from constant rainfall; in dry climates, remember to water occasionally.
With the right chill, good drainage, consistent moisture, and organic nutrition from Bulb-tone and Land & Sea Compost, these containers are now set up for a spectacular spring show—naturally.
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Espoma_1225_BulbTone_Thumbnail-copy.jpg10801920Matt Dauphinaishttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngMatt Dauphinais2025-12-09 16:44:432025-12-23 09:58:46VIDEO: How to Plant Spring Bulbs in Containers 🌱🌷 with Garden Answer
Watch as Summer Rayne Oakes of Flock Finger Lakes takes us on a tour of her stunning tulip garden at her Meadow House Gardens. Last fall, Summer planted over 4,000 tulip bulbs using Espoma OrganicBulb-tone, and today her garden bursts with color from more than 100 tulip cultivars.
In this video, Summer showcases her favorite tulips, including the elegant ‘Sarah Raven,’ captivating ‘Flaming Flag,’ and dreamy ‘Ume no Murasaki.’ She also demonstrates how she feeds her tulips with Espoma Organic Flower-tone, ensuring healthy, vibrant blooms all season.
Summer’s Tips for Planting and Caring for Tulips:
Plant bulbs in the fall using a high-quality organic fertilizer like Espoma Organic Bulb-tone for optimal nutrition.
Water bulbs thoroughly after planting to help establish roots.
Feed tulips after sprouting with a high-quality organic fertilizer like Espoma Organic Flower-tone for lush blooms.
Avoid fertilizer contact with blooms or foliage to prevent burning.
Consider naturalizing tulip varieties that are known to return each spring.
Bonus Tip: In addition to tulips, Summer planted a variety of perennials throughout her garden beds. Summer recommends planting with a high-quality organic starter fertilizer like Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus to reduce transplant shock and help promote strong, healthy roots for big, beautiful blooms.
Spring is stirring in the Finger Lakes, and Summer Rayne Oakes of Flock Finger Lakes is already deep into her garden chores. In this video, she takes us on an early-season walk through her ever-evolving landscape highlighting emerging bulbs, sharing design plans, and laying the groundwork for a bountiful, sustainable year ahead.
Summer uses organic products for all her gardening projects—including our trusted Tone line of organic fertilizers, premium Potting Mixes, and organic Liquid Fertilizers—to create healthy, thriving spaces across her property. When planting new bulbs like daffodils and tulips, she relies on Espoma Organic Bulb-tone to set them up for success. And whenever she plants something new, Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus is her go-to to support strong root development from day one.
For all her new garden beds, Summer builds nutrient-rich soil from the ground up with Espoma Organic Raised Bed Mix, Land & Sea Gourmet Compost, and our premium Potting Mix—ensuring each planting area is full of organic matter, supports microbial life, and has optimum moisture-holding capacity.
From rewilding meadows and restoring forest edges to designing pollinator patches and building a 60-foot sustainable chicken coop, Summer’s garden isn’t just beautiful—it’s intentional. Her approach reflects a great mission: to nourish plants, support biodiversity, and build a healthier planet from the soil up. 🌱
Watch the full garden walk to get inspired for your own spring garden reset!
Planting daffodil bulbs in late fall is the perfect way to prepare for a colorful spring garden. Kaleb Wyse from Wyse Guide shares his top tips for planting bulbs to set them up for success. A key step is using a high-quality organic fertilizer like Espoma Organic Bulb-tone when planting. The fertilizer provides essential nutrients that will be ready and waiting when the soil thaws, helping bulbs quickly establish roots and produce vibrant, healthy blooms in spring.
Don’t miss your window to plant before the ground freezes. With just a little effort now, you’ll enjoy bright, cheerful daffodils when spring arrives!
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Planting-Daff.jpg7201280Matt Dauphinaishttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngMatt Dauphinais2024-12-17 11:26:562024-12-17 11:27:22VIDEO: How to Plant Daffodil Bulbs in Late Fall for Beautiful Spring Flowers 🌼 with Wyse Guide!
Camassia, a native North American bulb, is a stunning spring bloomer that thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3-8. Often underutilized these bulbs are known for their striking blue, lavender, or white flowers.
In this video, Summer Rayne Oakes of Flock Finger Lakes shows how to plant Camassia bulbs and shares her top plant care tips. Summer recommends mixing in a high-quality organic fertilizer like Espoma Organic Bulb-tone when planting. This practice ensures these bulbs get the nutrients they need to produce big, beautiful blooms.
Follow along with Kaleb Wyse from Wyse Guide as he demonstrates how to clean, prep, and plant his recently harvested garlic bulbs. Kaleb plants his garlic in the fall to harvest the following summer. In this video, Kaleb also re-pots some Jade plants using Espoma Organic Potting Soil Mix before heading out to his raised bed garden. There, he amends his beds, which are filled with Espoma Organic Raised Bed Mix, by adding Espoma Organic Bulb-tone and Espoma Organic Chicken Manure. These provide the essential nutrients his garlic bulbs need to germinate and grow successfully next spring.
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/PLant-Garlic-1.jpg7201280Matt Dauphinaishttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngMatt Dauphinais2024-09-20 14:18:442024-09-20 15:47:09VIDEO: How to plant GARLIC in the FALL ? ? with Wyse Guide!
Join Kaleb from @WyseGuide as he tackles his latest gardening project!
In this video, Kaleb shares his go-to technique for planting tulip bulbs using Espoma Organic Potting Soil Mix to get them off to a great start. He also demonstrates how to spruce up a garden bed along his charming farmhouse by adding boxwood plants. Kaleb shares expert tips for successfully transplanting boxwoods using Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus and Plant-tone products to give them the nutrients they need to thrive.
Planting Lilies is a great way to beautify your outdoor space.?Check out the video below as Summer Rayne OakesFrom Flock Finger Lakes walks you through the planting process step by step. Summer fills her outdoor containers with Espoma Organic Raised Bed Mix and plants her Lily bulbs with Espoma Organic Bulb-tone to ensure her lilies have the best growing conditions to bloom successfully.
