Where'd They Go? -- Labeling Bulb Areas

Nothing's more rewarding that having bulbs pop up in the spring. But where are they?

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Knowing you’ve planted bulbs helps make the long stretch of winter more tolerable. Nothing’s more rewarding that having bulbs pop up in the spring. But where are they? Where in the world did you plant them?

Once bulbs are in the ground and then when their foliage dies back after blooming, it’s nearly impossible to know where each kind is. If you want to divide them or move them to another spot in the garden, you need to know where they are.

Relying on memory is not reliable. Taking photos isn’t reliable, either. You need to be on the ball and photograph each phase of bloom. Is anyone that diligent? Placing tags in bulb drifts is another way of marking them. But these can be knocked over or accidentally pulled out.

Drawing a map of your garden is the best method.

David Salman, President of Santa Fe Greenhouses, says, “You don’t need to use global positioning equipment or a surveyor’s mapping skills to create these maps. Keep things simple.”

He suggests making quick sketches that give good approximations to bulb locations.

“Draw your beds and make sure you include prominent features like shrubs, trees, statuary and boulders to use as points of reference. Mark where bulbs are planted by outlining their area. Then note the numbers and varieties of each,” says Salman.

After he finishes the planting and mapping, he files the maps until next fall. “When I begin planting my new bulbs, I start all over again with the mapping.”

With a simple diagram you’ll always know where your bulbs are—a good idea if you want to install another plant in that “barren” spot. Check your map. Hmmm. Daffodils are there. Better opt for another spot. This mapping makes all the difference.