Many of the earliest spring flowers grow from bulbs. The bulb is a store of food that lets the plant shoot up and grow before it is warm enough for most flowers.

Only use bulbs that you can buy - never dig up bulbs that are growing wild!

What you will need to get started

• Clay pots
• Bulbs from the store
• Soil or compost
• Sand
• Water

Step 1

1. Buy your bulbs in the fall.
2. Plant them in pots of compost, or garden soil mixed with sand.
3. Dampen the compost before you begin.

Step 2

1. Half fill the pot with soil or compost.
2. Plant the bulbs with the pointed end upward.
3. Leave about 1 inch between them.
4. Cover them with soil until only the tips show.

Step 3

1. Leave the bulbs in a dark, airy place until they begin to grow.
2. Don't forget about them and be sure to keep the compost damp.

Step 4

1. You should see the first shoots in about two months.
2. Put the pots in a warm, sunny place and water them.

Tips

• Try planting pits from apples or oranges, and pits from avocados or peaches as well.
• Plant them as above, put them on a window sill, and keep them well watered.

Information provided by USDA: https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/kids/activities/bulbs.shtml