Buy bulbs that are large

and have a good solid feel. If the weather is warm, store bulbs in a cool

place, at about 60 degrees, before planting. In mild-winter climates,

bulbs need to be chilled for six weeks prior to planting outdoors. The

general rule of thumb for planting depth is 2 1/2 to 3 times the height

of the bulb. Keep the site watered, but not soggy, until the ground freezes.

In cold climates, mulch beds to protect the bulbs from freezing.

Use the right tools.

Choosing the right bulb planting tools can make a big difference. One

option is the Bulb Hound stand-up bulb planter from Hound Dog Products.

The unique coring spades cut through the ground when you step on the footplate.

One of this tool's

best features is that the coring spades release the soil core with just

a squeeze of the hand lever. "You can use the soil you scooped out

with the tool to quickly cover up the bulbs as you drop them in the holes,"

said Andrescik.

Another bulb planting

aid is the Planting Auger. It attaches to a cordless drill and bores through

the soil - making quick work of mass bulb plantings.

Plant like a painter.

It's better to buy a large amount of one variety and color and plant

in a large group, or "drift," instead of buying a few of many

different colors or varieties. If you are limited on funds and want more

variety, plant no less than five or seven bulbs of a given variety of

large bulbs, and no less than 50 of the smaller bulbs.

Avoid planting in rows

- bulbs look better in groups or drifts. More planting tips for arranging

your bulbs include:

* Always plant low in

front of high. For example, plant low-growing bulbs such as hyacinth in

front of higher-growing bulbs such as tulips.

* Plan your plantings

with the eye of a painter, grouping together pleasing color combinations.

* Plant mass displays

of one color set against mass displays of another color. Red and yellow

are traditional choices. Other favorites include red and pink, orange

and purple and two-tones with a complementary color.

* Use masses of bulbs

grouped together by color to create geometric shapes in a bed or even

right in the lawn.

It's also important

to consider the blooming times of flowering shrubs and other perennials

as well. You might, for example, want pale violet tulips at the base of

a pink flowering crab tree. If you are really ambitious, you can even

plant with blooming times in mind so that everything happens when you

want it to, in sequence.

Plant your spring garden

now and enjoy the colorful show after the long drab winter is over. "It

gives me something to look forward to," said Andrescik. "And,

best of all it's a great jump start for my garden."

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