Activities - Growing Flowers From Bulbs

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.