B - Bulb Care

B is for Bulb Care.  

Spring bulbs, there's nothing like them!  They herald the coming of warmer weather and garden planting. 

But, what should you do when they're finished blooming? 

Nothing.  

That's right, nothing.  The absolute worst thing you could do is cut the leaves off.  You also do not want to fold them and rubber band them together, or knot them with themselves.  I used to take one long leaf and wind it around the folded bunch and tie it under itself.  No more!  

I knew those green leaves needed to brown naturally, to finish photosynthesis, for the bulbs to have nutrients for next year's blooms.  But, I didn't realize that folding and knotting and banding provided much less surface area for sunlight to hit, and therefore less photosynthesis going on.  You can teach an old dog new tricks! 

So, you do nothing.  Let them be.  Sure, it's untidy, but let them be!  Your bulbs will be the better for it next spring.  You'll be glad you did.  Plus, you'll save all that time you used to spend cutting, knotting, rubber banding, etc.  I'm sure there are other spring garden tasks you can do instead!

B for Bulb Care was short and sweet, but not as sweet as tomorrow's C!