Why planning ahead is so important in the garden | Gardener State

Many hobbies require planning to be successful.

If you love to cook, you must have the ingredients on hand to prepare a dish. If photography is your passion, you plan around weather and seasons of interest.

However, few hobbies look as far into the future as gardening. Believe it or not, it is now time to plan and order those bulbs for displays next spring.

The term bulb is actually a bit of a misnomer since not all “bulbs” are actually bulbs! A true bulb consists of layers of modified storage leaves, allowing the plant to endure conditions not conducive to growth. An onion is a typical bulb, with the layers of modified leaves evident when cut open.

By contrast, other bulbs, like crocus, are actually modified stems called corms. Visually, they look identical to true bulbs, but when cut in half they are solid tissue without rings. The last large group of bulbs are stem tubers that develop at the base of stems above the roots. Dramatically different from other bulbs, they resemble shriveled raisins and it is best to soak them for several hours prior to planting to allow rehydration.

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Many gardeners are understandably attracted to the larger daffodils like “Dutch Master” and “King Alfred.” They are certainly attractive, but take a moment to look at the miniature daffodils and species tulips; the exquisite detail of the smaller flowers always invite a closer inspection and the proportions are often more befitting of residential gardens. “Minnow” is a beautiful miniature daffodil with delicate white petals and a pale-yellow central cup, while “Jetfire” appears to be in a raging gale with the yellow petals swept back behind the bright orange trumpet. 

For Tulip lovers, the Late Tulip, Tulipa urumiensis, is a long-lasting naturalizing tulip. Growing to 8 inches tall, the petals are marked by white tips and yellow centers when open, with green markings while in bud. Also very long-lived is Tulipa “Little Princess,” featuring orange and yellow flowers with a deep purple center.

If you are looking to dig a bit deeper into this topic, join Master Gardener Debbie LaGattuta from 7 to 8 p.m. Aug. 17 for “All About Bulbs.” She will discuss many of the lesser-known bulbs and include design concepts and wonderful bulb combinations. To learn more, go to go.rutgers.edu/xnjg03f0.

If you are unable to watch the presentation, you might consider reading the Fact Sheet on bulbs by going to njaes.rutgers.edu/fs1220/. Early blooming selections of bulbs can be planted into turf areas with great success or under shrubs and in woodland gardens. They also look great worked into various low groundcovers that are lately getting the nickname of Green Mulch. If you have large areas of bare mulch or turf beneath trees, consider transitioning it into a bed of green mulch. Great for bulbs, it also provides the needed habitat for caterpillars to pupate into butterflies and moths.

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Among the largest summer events hosted by Rutgers each August is the Great Tomato Tasting event at Snyder Farms in Pittstown. Traditionally, over 100 varieties of tomatoes are available for sampling. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the tomato plants were not grown this year, but fear not! From 2 to 7 p.m. Aug. 24 the staff will conduct tractor-pulled wagon tours of the facility on the half-hour, showcasing the various ongoing research efforts. What could be more fun!

Rutgers NJAES faculty and staff will also be on hand to answer any questions. The event is free, but attendance is limited, and it is advisable to reserve the time you would like to visit now.  To register, go to go.rutgers.edu/d6tmzars. 

Although there may not be tomatoes to taste at Snyder Farm, there should certainly be plenty in your garden. This has been a great year for vegetables. Of course, in the vein of thinking ahead, you may wish to consider collecting the materials needed for building low tunnels which will extend the harvest of cool season vegetables well into December and beyond. The support for the cover can be as simple as PVC pipe bent into a hoop and covered by a fabric called Agribon. Crops like spinach, lettuce and Bok Choi will develop new and unexpected flavors when grown during the cooler days and the results are well worth the planning required.

If the planning has made you hungry, an easy snack to satisfy your hunger may not require any planning as the ingredients are typically already in your kitchen. Pasta chips! Full of flavor and dangerously addictive, this little snack tastes great and is super simple to make. Learn the secrets at noon Aug. 17 by going to go.rutgers.edu/3puv0awt.

Perhaps more than any other hobby, creating a beautiful garden comes from planning. Combined with reviewing your journal, your garden is sure to bring colorful rewards for years to come. Now, start those bulb orders!

Bruce Crawford is the program leader in home and public horticulture at the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. Email him at Crawford@njaes.Rutgers.edu.