Fall work, spring bloom

Ah, autumn. Leaves changing, a crisp nip in the air and a the first frost. It's a season dominated by finishing those last-minute summer projects, from getting the windows winterized to preparing for winter. It's also a time many gardeners relish.

Surely, gardening isn't high on the list of fall activities, people will say. But the best way to ensure a colorful spring is to get in the garden this fall.

Planting fall bulbs is the key to making a flower bed colorful in the early spring in Alaska. And growing them in Alaska isn't considerably tough, said Marilynn Chevalier of Landscape Supply, who presented a "Growing Hardy Spring-Flowering Bulbs" class last Saturday as part of the Garden Chat series.

Chevalier, who has been growing flowers "since I was a little kid with my mom," offered tips, pointers and suggestions for making bulb planting less daunting for novices and experienced gardeners alike.

Choosing which bulbs you plant outside is purely a personal decision, but some bulbs are better suited than others for Alaska's climate. Among the most popular bulbs for planting during the fall are tulips, daffodils and crocuses. Other bulbs such as allium, chionodoxa, puschkinia, muscari, scilla and irises are also popular choices to ensure a colorful spring -- sometimes, through the last layer of snow, Chevalier said. Some bulbs are better suited than others when it comes to "forcing" them indoors (see related story).

After you've selected the bulbs you want, it's time to go to work.

According to Chevalier, there are a few things you can do to make sure your flower beds will be bright and colorful come spring. They are:

Use a rich, well-draining soil, with a pH value of between 6.5 and 7.0, if possible. Raised flower beds are a top choice, because they allow the soil to drain and to warm more quickly in the spring. Bulbs planted in the ground close to a house's foundation will bloom earlier as well, because the soil warms faster. An area that gets a lot of sun works best, although partly shaded areas will work, too.

Only choose high-quality bulbs, which are firm, heavy and healthy looking. The bottom part of the bulb should still be intact.

You can plant bulbs from mid-August on. Planting earlier is better than planting later. Just make sure you allow enough time for root development, prior to freeze-up.

You don't necessarily need fertilizer the first year, but a good bulb food is a good idea.

Mulching after freeze-up is a good idea, because it keeps the ground frozen during winter, which helps the bulbs survive if the unpredictable Alaska winters don't cooperate, as they haven't the last few years. Soil that thaws and refreezes can contribute to rot.

If you are a little intimidated by planting bulbs, or are just interested in starting bulbs, Chevalier can help. She is presenting the class again Saturday, Sept. 14, at Landscape Supply. The class is free and open to everyone.

Tracy Ressler contributed to this article.

Forcing the issue

Can't wait for spring and a new season of flowers? Then try forcing bulbs indoors this winter.

Most fall-planted bulbs can be forced indoors, but there are several varieties that are better suited to the process. Among them are amaryllis, crocus, hyacinths, paperwhites, crocus and tulips.

Forcing bulbs refers to the process of simulating seasons, faster than Mother Nature can herself.

According to Marilynn Chevalier, a Landscape Supply employee for more than six years, there are a few precautions to take for indoor bulb planting.

Use good, clean pots. Any good potting soil can be used, and you don't need to use fertilizer, unless you plan to save them to replant in the garden.

Choose bulbs of identical needs, and plant densely, with pointed ends up. Completely fill the container with soil and bulbs, and water thoroughly.

After planting, the bulbs need to be stored in a cool, dry location, with the ideal temperature being between 35 and 48 degrees. It may take up to six weeks for root development. When you have shoots of two to three inches, you can take them out of storage.

Put the bulbs in a bright, cool location -- ideally, between 50 and 55 degrees.

Enjoy a little color during the winter and early spring, when everybody else is still planning their summer gardens.

Tracy Ressler contributed to this article.