My bulb order arrived a few days ago and yesterday afternoon I finally had some extra time to set up the table in the backyard and unpack all the boxes. Sorting 2000 bulbs is no easy task let me tell you.
Even though everything was labeled, it still took me a good hour or so to unpack {what I thought was} everything and lay it all out.
The bulbs all looked so healthy!!
Once I had everything laid out on the table though, I noticed I was missing the peonies and the allium and anemone bulbs from my order.
Just as I was going into the house to check the order I had placed online, the UPS truck arrived with the last 2 boxes. Thank goodness!!
So then I had to sort again.
I ordered 30 peonies {roots}… Which seems like kind of a lot for such a tiny backyard. But I LOVE peonies, and for years now I’ve wanted to do a mass planting of them.
I ordered 24 gardenia peonies {a gorgeous fluffy white color} and 6 Koningin Wilhelmina peonies {a pale pink color}. I’m not exactly sure where I’m going to plant them yet though. I haven’t quite got the backyard planting map figured out yet, just the front. 😉
Check out the roots on these!!! They’re excellent. I have never been disappointed with the quality from the Van Engelen company.
I ordered 30 peony tubers… Which seems like kind of a lot for such a tiny backyard. But I LOVE peonies, and for years now I’ve wanted to do a mass planting of them.
Because I’m not exactly sure where I’ll be planting the peonies yet, and I need to get them in the ground so to speak, I decided to go ahead and at least get them started in pots.
I figure by the time spring rolls around I’ll know exactly where I’ll want them to go and I’ll just pop them out of their containers and into the ground then.
At this point, my brain is pretty fried. I’m tired of making decisions, tired of all the projects, just plain TIRED. I am soooo ready for a {mental and physical} break.
I know it’s going to be a chore just getting all those bulbs planted {in the ground, in a pot, wherever!} but there is comfort in knowing that this is the last thing. The last thing on my big “to-do” list for fall.
If you’ve never planted peonies before it’s super easy! Basically, plant the rootstock so that the eyes are 2 inches deep in well-draining, rich loamy soil.
Once the ground freezes, top off with a little mulch, making sure to remove the extra layer of mulch in the spring before the new sprouts emerge.
Only 1,976 bulbs left to go! It’s going to be a long weekend. 😉
But hey, once I’m done… I’M DONE and I’ll be able to pack it in for the winter. And just the thought of that, will keep me motivated to keep planting.
Peace Out.
~Mavis
Anita says
That looks overwhelming!
Where did you order your bulbs?
Claudia says
She said in the comments Van Engelen.
Anita says
Thank you- I had missed that.
laura says
i really like your table!! does it fold flat? i’m sure i’ll love the flowers too!!
J in OH-IO says
I am looking forward to seeing all of the bulbs in bloom this coming spring!!! It will be gorgeous!!!
Anyone have suggestions for good smelling flowers that are self seeding annuals or perennials for full sun that are safe for dogs?
J in OH-IO says
Clarifying my previous post: looking for flowers I can mix in between my bulbs of alliums daffodils tulips and daisy sedum coneflowers and peonies that smell good and are dog friendly. I want some flowers blooming all summer after spring perennials are done. I was thinking zinnias or salvia maybe. Thanks for any ideas.
Katherine says
Zinnias will give you color until the first frost but you should add some Rudbeckia/black eyed Susan’s and New England Aster for late summer color.
Sue says
That DOES look overwhelming! But the potential for spring beauty is glorious.
Will you till beds for the bulbs? I can’t imagine using the auger drill method 2K times…
Mavis Butterfield says
The beds have already been tilled. 🙂
Emily says
I hope you’ll share your techniques for planting so many bulbs at once. I made what for me felt like a large bulb order, and I’ll need all the pro tips when they arrive.
Mavis Butterfield says
I’ll show some pictures soon. 🙂
Dianne says
Oh, I can’t wait to see them in the Spring!
Sue S. says
Oh man, what WHAT were you thinking. Looks like you have a wetland behind the fence? I can’t wait to see the transformation come Spring. Keep calm and plant on Mavis! Thanks Mavis.
Linda Practical Parsimony says
I love bulbs! 2000! Wow! Next week I am going to a Lunch and Learn at the Ag Center. Planting and caring for bulbs is the subject. I have planted bulbs for years, but a person can always use more knowledge. I will soak up whatever tips you have.
Gwenn says
Mavis – will you leave the pots outside all winter OR overwinter them in the pots/basement? If you leave them outside, do you worry about them freezing?
Thanks
Gwenn
Mavis Butterfield says
I will leave the plastic pots outside. Freezing is good.
Wendy says
My brothers grow peonies for trade and these look great. Just remember to not plant them too deep and more important in full sun. You won’t get flowers if you plant them in the shade. So if you make your gardenplan remember….. The tulips and narcissus look healthy as well.
Wendy (Netherlands)
Wendy says
Forgot to say that sometimes it takes one or two years for them to form flowers after planting. So no panick then 😉