– Use a trowel to dig a planting hole or trench.
– Summer bulbs, corms or tubers are planted at a depth twice as deep as the bulb is tall. Begonias and dahlias, however, are exceptions since they should be planted just below the surface.

– Loosen the soil and make the bottom of the hole or trench somewhat level but do not tamp it down.
– Arrange small varieties 4 inches apart; this is a good distance for them. The distance apart for dahlias is 5 inches, for begonias 10 inches, for lilies 12 inches and for dahlias even 16 inches.
– Put the bulbs gently into the hole with their “noses” pointed upward.

– Cover the bulbs with soil.
– Immediately after planting, summer-flowering bulbs should be watered generously to promote rapid rooting. During a dry spring period, the soil in the garden should be kept moist.

Individual holes are best for single or clustered bulbs; dig trenches for bed planting. Planting depth is determined by the diameter of the bulb; larger flower bulbs (2 inches across or more) are usually planted about 6 inches deep and smaller-sized flower bulbs (1 inch across) are planted 3 to 4 inches deep.

Loosen the soil with a rake to aerate it and remove any weeds or small stones. Mix in a bit of peat moss to improve soil drainage. Place – do not push – bulbs firmly into the soil with the pointed side up. Space large bulbs 3-8 inches apart and small bulbs 1-3 inches apart (If you’re not sure which end is right side up, don’t worry. Upside-down flower bulbs usually come up anyway!).

Cover the flower bulbs with soil and then, if the soil is not yet moist, water generously. Add 2 to 3 inches of mulch (or pine bark) on top of the garden bed. This will provide protection from the cold and keep the soil from drying out.