Guest Author - Kimberly Cassandra Cannon

Spring is right around the corner, so it appears here in Texas. Regardless where you reside, the choices of bulbs from favorite nurseries impress us to give our landscape a burst of color using them. They scream out, "Hey buy me, ‘cause I can make your garden so beautiful!” However, before you go crazy with all your zany ideas for bulbs there are a few things you need to know. On that note, grab something to snack on, a pad and pencil and jot down these very important notes.

As if the selection process is not enough apprehension, there are creatures other than humans who like bulbs just as much, if not more. Squirrels, deer, rabbits, moles, you name it, can all cause many problems in your bulb garden. Hold on though. There are remedies. Some which were tried to no avail, however, there has been at least one that works. That would have to be the good ole' spices of red pepper. That’s right. I use this little, cheap, plastic bottle of red pepper from a local store that has successfully kept the noses of sniffing, tongue tasting critters away.

While preparing your planting area in a desired design, after planting the bulbs and covering with soil, shake several flakes of red pepper, and cover with mulch. Repeat the same procedure on top of the mulch and this should keep predators who crave the taste of those luscious tulips, delightful crocus and aromatic anemones, (a favorite), far away.

Okay, so let’s say that doesn’t work in your garden, yet another resolution is to try planting the bulbs a few inches deeper and this should deter them from easy access of food as well. They will not spend much time ravaging a deep hole in search for food. Time is too precious to them and eventually, they’ll move to another spot. The downside to this is that you may find several holes throughout your garden which can be remedied by just covering the hole back up with dug up soil.

Though there are a few chemicals to use none has worked in my garden as a remedy. From experience, do not use bone meal (though it is an excellent organic fertilizer) in the same hole as the bulbs. Instead, apply to the top covering of soil. This scent seems to not only attract the above mentioned critters but your cute, little fuzzy, dog Rover as well. Though deer, squirrel, and all the others have their favorites (of bulbs that is), this I’m sure can all become quite annoying and challenging. Nevertheless, do not let this deter you from using bulbs in your garden. They’re just too beautiful to not at least try some of the preventative measures mentioned.

Finally, yet importantly, is the selection process. Be sure to select only top quality bulbs. They may initially cost more but are worth it. Nothing is worse than buying cheap bulbs that have rotted or are discolored giving off a very bad order. They will not be very productive and could bring parasites and unwanted fungi to your garden. Be sure to take some quality time to make sure the garden catalogs you order from are reputable as well as the nursery you shop at regularly. Some inexpensive bulbs may work hard while others are not worth the time and preparation.

Now that you have a bit of information on what to expect in having bulbs not only beautify your garden but become a meal ticket to nearby predators, still, there is no better way to welcome visitors, than with a stunning garden of spring color display. When the cold, brittle air of winter is rushing through and seems to sit comfortably, not ever seeming to leave, let your hard work show with an aromatic, charming display of spring bulbs. This alone will warm the smiles of many to come.