Spring bulbs can grow in pots with proper care

Q. I’m still a true novice when it comes to gardening. I am thinking about trying to grow some spring blooming bulbs, but I am curious, can you grow them in pots? I have several pretty big ones, 16 inches across and at least 12 inches deep. Would I be able to successfully get some spring bloomers to thrive in them? Also, why do you recommend adding super phosphate or bulb food when I’d be planting? Wouldn’t the usual fertilizer I have used this past year work too? — E.T.T., Albuquerque

A. Lots of thoughts are running through my brain about planting bulbs in pots, so here goes.

First, the depth that you’ve described should be sufficient, offering you lots of bulb choices. I’m also recommending you make sure the pots drain because a soggy bulb is an unhappy bulb.

Take a tape measure so you can know how long (tall) the bulbs are. Remember, you’ll still need to plant the bulbs double their depth when you do plant.

Let’s say you’ve fallen in love with large daffodils that are easily 6 inches long. You’ll need to plant 12 inches deep from the bottom of the bulb up. Now, there should be a slight layer of pebbles or potsherds in the very bottom of the pot for drainage help and then a layer of soil before you plant, so let’s say that takes up a good 4 inches out of the bulb depth capability. A grand-sized bulb like some daffodils, in my opinion, should be taken out of your bulb choice for the pots you’ve described. Be wary and measure the bulb height when choosing your bulbs. But, when you do the math, you’ll find there are lots of bulbs that could work in your pots. Don’t be afraid of mixing bulb types, either. As long as you plant to the proper depth, you can mix and match at will.

Next, since the pots will be above ground this winter, you must offer enough water. Being above ground, the pots will tend to dry out quicker, especially if they sit in a sunny spot. Never allow the pots to dry out. Granted, not soggy, but definitely watered. And if it’s been several days since you last watered and the temperatures are going to take a nosedive, get out there and water the pots before truly cold temperatures. Remember, ice insulates — dry soil kills.

If you need a wee reminder to water, consider planting pansies or violas after you’ve settled all the bulbs. Surprisingly, either will usually survive winter, especially when you remember to water.

Now, why do I suggest adding the super phosphate or a prepackaged bulb food just below the bulbs? Here’s a way to remember what fertilizers contain and how it’s used by plant life. Fertilizers list, always in this order, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. N.P.K. for short. Nitrogen is used for green development. Phosphorus is mostly used for root development and assists in healthier blooms. Potassium helps all the nutrients to be utilized within plants.

Here’s the rhyme I want you to imprint in your brain, “Up, down and all-around.” Nitrogen is up, meaning upward green growth (grass and green leaves). Phosphorus is down, or root development. Lastly, the potassium is the all-around part of the calculation.

During these dormant months, your bulbs will utilize phosphorus, offered in either of the products, to grow healthy roots. That’s all they are going to concentrate on doing, developing roots. So know that you are looking for a fertilizer that has lots of phosphorus in it.

Don’t waste your usual fertilizer this time of year. It’ll be better offered next year when everything gets up and going.

You can go ahead and plant pots with spring blooming bulbs as long as you make a commitment to tend to them all winter and early spring, You’ll be rewarded with blooms galore when most other plant life is just beginning to wake up. What a way to start next year’s growing season!

You can do it and have fun Diggin’ In!

Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send garden-related questions to Digging In, Albuquerque Journal, 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109, or to features@abqjournal.com.