My garden is put to bed and my houseplants are ready for the winter. Now I can concentrate on forcing some bulbs so we will enjoy flowers in the house for Christmas and later in the winter. Forcing bulbs inside is a wonderful way to enjoy blooming flowers mid-winter.
They can also make a wonderful gift. Who wouldn’t appreciate a gift of bulbs when the world is white outside! Tulips, narcissus, hyacinths, crocus and lily of the valley can be forced into flower in late winter or early spring. A pot of tulips on your windowsill in February can brighten your spirits!
It is a good idea to keep the same variety of bulbs in the same pot as the blooming times may vary. Bulbs are also planted much closer together than when they are planted outside. With the exception of narcissus bulbs, bulbs must be given a cold temperature of 35-48 degrees F for a minimum of 12-14 weeks. An unheated attic or cellar works well. If this is not possible, then force paper white narcissus bulbs.
Check your local nursery for bulbs. Find a decorative pot to plant them in and purchase some gravel to fill the pot.
Rinse the gravel to get rid of any dust. Fill each bowl with gravel about 2/3rd full. Nestle the bulbs in the gravel ½ to 1 inch apart, placing the pointed side up.
Fill in gravel around the bulbs, leaving the top halves exposed.
Add water up to the base of the bulbs.
Place the pots in a cool, dark area for several weeks to ensure root growth. Then place in a sunny location. Each bulb will send up several flower stems bearing many tiny blossoms. Sit back and enjoy the blooms. It’s wonderful to enjoy a bit of spring color when everything outside is covered with snow!
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Nancy on the Home Front 