Ken's Layered Bulb Planting for Concentrated Color

Ken Kukorowski, head of Product Innovations at Bayer Advanced, shares a bulb-planting technique that's been passed down through his family of gardeners. It's a simple layering process that gives three times the color of traditional bulb-planting methods.

Start by digging a 6-inch hole with a trowel or bulb-planting tool. Set a late-blooming tulip bulb in the hole and cover with 2 inches of soil. Then add a daffodil bulb and enough soil to cover the top. Finally, add a crocus bulb and fill in the hole. As you add the bulbs, offset them a bit so the tips aren’t directly below the bulb on top. To protect bulbs from snails and slugs, use Bayer Advanced™ Dual Action Snail and Slug Killer Bait Granules, which can be used around pets and wildlife.

In the spring, the crocus will bloom first, followed by the daffodils then by the tulips. Three times the flowers from one hole.

For more tips on bulb planting, including which bulbs are best for naturalizing and which ones will grow in the shade, visit the Bulbs for Shady Gardens article.

Repotting Houseplants

Fall is a good time to repot houseplants. Fresh soil and room for new root growth will help keep plants healthy through winter.

What should you consider when choosing a new container? There are several important things. Naturally, a new pot should be attractive, highlighting the plant or the surroundings. But you should also consider size, color and the material the pot is made of. These factors influence how easy the container is to move and how often the plant needs to be watered.

If you are potting up a household or other plant that has gotten root-bound, the new pot should be at least two to four inches larger in diameter. That’s enough space for new root growth without making the pot a great deal heavier. In general, it’s best to move up gradually in pot size.

Also consider the weight and porosity of the pot. Lightweight plastic pots will be easier to move than heavier ceramic or terra cotta pots. Terra cotta pots are also porous, so water evaporates through the sides. While this is good for aerating the soil, it causes the pot to dry out faster than plastic or ceramic pots. Dark-colored pots situated in sunny spots also warm up and dry out faster than light-colored ones.

To repot houseplants, gently remove the plant from the existing pot. This will probably be easiest if you water the plant several days before transplanting so the soil is moist. To remove smaller plants from the pot, place your hand over the top so you can catch the root ball. Tip the entire plant upside down and tap the rim of the pot on a hard surface until the root ball releases. With larger pots, you may have to run an old knife around the edges before the root ball can be gently pulled out. If the plant still won’t come out of a clay or ceramic pot, you may have to break the pot. To do so, place it in a bag or wrap it in an old sheet. Tap the pot with a hammer until it breaks.

Place enough potting soil in the bottom of the new pot so the top of the root ball is at least an inch below the rim. Put the plant in the pot and fill around the edges with potting soil. Water well. If necessary, add more soil.