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January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December Add a two- to four-inch layer of compost to enrich beds for planting bulbs and pansies. For bulb beds, loosen soils 12 inches deep to make bulb planting easy and to provide drainage so bulbs won't rot. Also add compost to plantings. Wait until soils are cool (50 -55 degrees F) before planting Spring bulbs. Always plant bulbs top up, root-side down. When uncertain which is top or bottom, place bulb on its side. Plant daffodils and tulips 8-10" deep. Plant small bulbs 2-3" deep. Mulch your trees and shrubs with a loose organic mulch of leaves or compost this month. It will help them through a hard Winter by stabilizing soil temperatures and retaining moisture. Fertilize lawns with a fertilizer high in potassium to build strong roots for Winter hardiness. A good formula to look for is a 12-4-24 ratio. Two weeks after fertilizing, over-seed bermuda grass with rye or fescue for pleasing Winter color. Four- to six- inch transplants of ornamental cabbages and kale are a great way to add Winter color to annual flower borders. Water in well with a soluble fertilizer, and keep soils moist until the plants settle in. The species tulips quite often come back year after year for us in the Southeast. They may be a bit smaller than the familiar, large, cultivated varieties, but they are colorful and reliable. Try Tulipa bakerii 'Lilac Wonder' or Tulipa chrysantha for dependable Springtime flavor in your Southern garden. Don't forget to bring your house plants indoors before the first killing frost of the season!
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