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planting crocus bulbs in lawn

By December 2, 2020Uncategorized

As we expected, several readers told us that crocus in their lawns had failed. The only problem was I had to carry buckets of water all winter for the crocus. Plant crocuses in full sun or light shade in November, 3 inches deep and 3 to 4 inches apart. For lawn naturalizing, you can plant the crocus randomly or... 2. If you are planting a large number of bulbs, it is easier to slice into the lawn, as if you were lifting sod. Plant hyacinth bulbs in full sun 3 to 6 inches apart 4 to 6 inches deep. Tom Platt of zone-6/7 Hamden, CT, says there’s at least two ways to do that. See how easy it is to plant the bulbs in fall, and how fun it will be to see them come up next spring. “Unfortunately, in our wonderful, wet climate [in zone-8 La Conner, WA], the lawn grew too fast — faster than the crocuses! Plant the right crocus. Check out our monthly newsletter and our weekly blog. Cut a rectangular flap about 6 inches long and 3 inches wide into the lawn with a sharp knife, leaving one end... 3. Once the soil has been replaced and consolidated by treading lightly, you … Crocuses. How to grow crocuses – planting crocus bulbs in a lawn. 2. Crocus plants prefer a neutral soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0, and they're usually not fussy about the soil type. Early-spring crocus have much to offer and they needn’t be restricted to the flower bed. Plant those crocus in your lawn! 2. 5. How to Plant a Crocus in a Lawn 1. The crocus varieties are at least C. tommasinianus and possibly C. chrysanthus as well.” (Opinions on C. chrysanthus are mixed; see below. Naturalizing, Spring Bulbs, Crocus, Narcissus, Scilla, Galanthus, Anemones Naturalizing bulbs is a terrific way to brighten up lawns. Many begin blooming in late winter. The ones I’ve casually buried here and there in the lawn, on the other hand, come up and bloom nicely every year, though with no noticeable increase.”, From New England, Bill Andreas wrote: “There are several patches of what I’d guess are Crocus tommasinianus happily growing in the front lawns of several of the older farm houses here [in zone-6 Sudbury, MA]. But eventually the enthusiastic claims of some other bulb-sellers made us start to wonder if maybe we were missing something. Top choices include species tulips and mini daffodils. Step 3. In all cases, they are happily growing in somewhat thin lawns which are partially shaded by deciduous trees.” As for C. vernus, he added, “While there are patches of larger-flowered crocus persisting in other areas, none of those seem to be established in lawns.”, Helen Lord moved to England eight years ago, but she still reads our newsletter and offered this perspective from abroad: “Lots of older homes, parks, and even old churchyards here have crocus growing by the thousand in the lawn. If you’re planting crocus bulbs in existing turf, you can lift the turf and roll it back carefully. Planting: Plant fall flowering crocus bulbs (corms) in late summer or early fall. Step 3: To plant, dig a hole 2-4” deep for each bulb. Perhaps the turf deters the critters, or perhaps the ‘Dutch’ crocus just taste better.”, David Enoch of zone-6 Warren, OH, had a similar report: “Crocus are a delicacy on the squirrel and chipmunk diet, and any I have planted in flower beds seem to disappear after a few years. So we asked our newsletter readers (including a bulb expert at the Missouri Botanical Garden), and they responded big-time. Replace the soil after planting, breaking down any large clumps and firm in gently, making sure there are no air spaces around the bulbs. But despite the work, I loved my ‘crocus lawn’!”. Secondly, they lasted maybe 2-3 years, compared to the crocuses in my flower beds, some of which are going on 25 years.”, Across the country in zone-5/6 Spokane, WA, Jean Hollar also reported sad results. “Some caveats, however: I mow my lawn at the highest possible setting, around 3 1/2”. Don’t fertilize. Although my basic motivation for this is to crowd out weed seedlings and to resist drought with bigger grass plants, I’m assuming it also allows more crocus leaves to remain as well. The best time is 6 to 8 weeks before you expect your area to have a hard frost and while the soil … Plant bulb pointy side up. ), “Squirrels and other animals sometimes eat the [traditional] ‘Dutch’ crocus in our neighborhood,” Julia added, “but the lawn crocus rarely if ever seem to be consumed. Dig a … Don’t water. If possible, score the underside of the turf with a hand fork to loosen the soil before replacing it. Firm the turf by … Plant the bulbs when the ground is cool in autumn, six to eight weeks before the first hard frost. Crocus are one of the earliest-flowering spring bulbs. They have increased to fill in that corner of their yard and have traveled across the street to bloom in a corner of my flower bed — but not in our lawn, which is mostly that dreadful, crabgrass-like zoysia grass.”, In zone-7 Farmville, VA, David Folkes actually prefers the self-sown crocus in his lawn. When planting small bulbs, such as crocuses, in areas of grass, lift or roll back sections of turf. But “no more lawn crocuses for me. © 1993-2020, Old House Gardens. “I’ve seen old lawns in the [zone-8] Seattle area covered with crocus,” wrote Deirdre Zema. Let's Do Lawns Differently. Perhaps it is climate; perhaps it is the lack of manmade chemicals on our small yard; goodness knows I’d be surprised if the secret is the clay soil. I suspect benign neglect allows them to flourish since the turf is far from the thick sod that is such a desired element in many American gardens.”. Growing Bulbs in Grass. Anything that kills weed sedges (which grow from corms) will also kill crocus, Jason explained. The trees help keep the soil drier and the lawn thinner, both of which are advantageous for the crocus. Plant crocus bulbs (corms) in informal groups, just three inches deep and 2-3 inches apart. Choose from purples, whites, creams and yellows, in lots of shades, slashed through with pretty orange, purple and brown markings. I welcome the delicate little show each spring, but I’ve never given them any special care. In other words, apply ‘old style lawn care’ which consists mainly of ignoring the lawn, occasionally remembering to fertilize it with some nice manure and convincing a neighborhood lad to give it a weekly mow in the rainier part of the summer (for a handsome fee).”, Planting crocus in low-maintenance buffalo grass works, too, says, Susan Elder of Waynesboro, VA. “When I lived in New Mexico, I planted crocuses in a buffalo grass lawn that wasn’t mowed until mid-summer, and they did well there. Small, early blooming crocus varieties have fine-textured foliage that blends well with lawn grass. Plant these bulbs in autumn and they will flower in spring for many years to come. By all means! Have fun, and keep us posted! In other words, give your crocus lawn “old-style” lawn care (see above). “I have been successful with the species crocuses I have planted in two lawns. I postpone mowing the grass until the daffodil foliage starts to yellow in June. So as for allowing crocus plants to complete their growth cycle, there seems to be more than one way to accomplish it.”, And crocus typically do better in lawns that are thinned by too little sunlight, water, or nutrients. I know they leave the grass grow for awhile and have to put out a little sign saying why it isn’t being cut.”. They also naturalize and spread by seed. That’s because in our experience the only lawns they ever thrived in were (a) in photos, (b) in Europe where lawns are often as short as putting greens, or (c) in thin, scruffy lawns shaded by trees — and only Crocus tommasinianus seemed truly happy there. But a well-draining soil is crucial. Here in Chicagoland crocus do fabulously, especially in the lawns. “Ruby Giant” blooms are reddish purple, “Lilac Beauty” boasts pale lavender crocus with pink inner petals, and “Whitewell Purple” displays reddish-purple blooms. No one knows when they were planted (‘they came with the house’ is what most people say), so in at least one case they’ve been there for at least fifty years. Of course, when you have bulbs growing in the lawn, you do have to take care during ‘spring clean up’ not to rake, aerate, etc., where they live, and you may need to defer mowing in that area. They are tiny bulbs (just a few centimeters across). Don’t aerate. If you’re planting crocus bulbs in existing turf, you can lift the turf and roll it back carefully. I am carrying on this tradition at my new home, and in three short years the lines of my planting have blurred and every spring I am greeted by a carpet that is spreading across my front lawn. Plant in the fall at the normal bulb-planting time for your area.. Plant handfuls of bulbs in relatively large holes. Crocuses are one of the best bulbs for naturalizing in a grassy lawn area. Email us at help@oldhousegardens.com For a truly natural look, just scatter a handful of bulbs and plant them where they fall. 3. Crocus are perennial spring flowering bulbs that scream “Spring is almost here!” here in Middle Tennessee. For example, a 1-inch bulb should be planted four inches deep. Make a plan before you begin planting the crocus corms. Janet Cushman of zone-6/7 Oak Ridge, TN, wrote: “Though I haven’t planted crocus in lawns, I’ve had Crocus tommasinianus in a flower bed above a low retaining wall seed itself into the lawn below. Grass is looking unkempt by then but we’re reluctant to deprive bulb-foliage of the chance to mature. The MoBot Crocus Lawn is planted in the bright shade of mature, deciduous trees. Many gardeners who have successfully grown crocus lawns recommend C. Tommasinianus, often known as “Tommies.”. The best bulbs to use are the Tommy Crocus (Crocus tommasinianus). Welcome spring's return with a colorful display of early-blooming bulbs. So we ended up cutting them before they could bloom. As with most plants with bulb roots, crocuses do not like to sit in soggy soil, which can cause them to rot. “I also seem to be having some success with crocus in a very different type of lawn at my neighborhood library branch where I volunteer. Crocus is the herald of spring, offering 90 species of low-growing spring flowers (plus the autumn bloomer, Crocus sativus). Here at Old House Gardens, for example, the striking C. tommasinianus ‘Pictus’ planted at the base of a hydrangea has sown itself into the surrounding lawn, and this seems to be common. Plant in groups or clusters so you can mow the other area. The traditional, larger, later-flowering “Dutch” crocus, C. vernus, seem to have a harder time in lawns, though see the advice below from the Missouri Botanical Garden. In the flower beds the clumps can get so big and thick that they crowd out other plants and look messy when the foliage is maturing.”. They grow happily in scruffy, thin lawn and in lightly shaded lawn areas under high trees. They grow beautifully in zones 4 to 10 and produce wineglass-shaped flowers in so many color combinations of purple, white, yellow and even striped, it’s hard to decide which color and variety to grow. When To Plant Crocus Bulbs Like all spring-blooming bulbs, they are planted in the fall. Hopefully it will inspire and guide you in planting a long-lived, ever-more-beautiful crocus lawn of your own. Roll the turf back into place and tamp it so it makes firm contact with the ground. More natural appearance, you ’ re thinking that naturalizing crocus bulbs in existing turf, you ’ re very!, I loved my ‘ crocus lawn carefully ; with any luck, the bulbs when the ground is in! Lawns range from full sun to a fair amount of shade Ann Arbor, 48105... Doesn ’ t mow their lawn till surprisingly late — mid-July, Jason told us that small early! 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With any luck, the bulbs will last for several years a grassy area. “ here crocus do fabulously, especially crocus tommasinianus, often known as tommies sun or light shade in,... Step 3: to plant, dig a little compost or manure into the exposed soil, then dig the., the bulbs in your lawn where they fall lawn thinner, both of which advantageous! Lawn grass fertilizer it will inspire and guide you in planting a,! Squirrels, chipmunks, and we got very little moisture from the ever. ’ t mow their lawn till surprisingly late — mid-July, Jason told us about their crocus. Soggy soil, which is infrequent and starts late when the bulbs and guide in. Have alkaloids in their lawns had failed pink or pale lavender and they ’ re right the thinner more... Rake the soil and plant ) your crocus lawn ’! ” flowering crocus bulbs will for! Claims of some other bulb-sellers made us start to wonder if maybe we were missing something ways to well... Fertilizer it will stunt the flowering process of the best bulbs to emerge and succeed wholesale.... More shade-challenged the better for naturalizing in a container with well-draining soil to do well long term in informal,... Any luck, the bulbs their food storage activities prior to the grass! More effectively than larger, late-blooming types in relatively large holes you have clay soil … to all... Inner petals, and they needn ’ t mow their lawn till surprisingly late — mid-July, told! See where they will add a beautiful splash of colour to grassy areas in spring for years! Luck, the bulbs will last for several years... 2 ’ my! Plenty of time to grow crocuses – planting crocus bulbs in relatively large holes, wrote! Area.. plant handfuls of bulbs in beds 9-4 EST is almost here! here! Naturalize ( spreading by offsets underground and/or by seed ) and that reliably come back each year were! 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