Planting lilies in open ground and caring for them

Lilies: Planting and caring for them outdoors in spring is a challenging and time-consuming process. You'll need to purchase bulbs first. Before purchasing, be sure to confirm the specific variety of the flower. It's important to ensure the bulb you buy is of high quality. The roots, which should be about 5 cm long, will tell you this.

Pay special attention to the bulb itself. It should look good and feel firm to the touch. There shouldn't be any rotten scales or signs of mold. If the bulb is light, you should avoid buying it right away. Caring for such a lily will be twice as difficult. Did you know? Why is garlic turning yellow in the garden and what should I do? ?

If you buy bulbs in advance

Since lilies: planting and caring for them outdoors in spring takes place in the second half of the season, the bulb must be stored properly after purchase. To do this, place it in a bag with moss or peat (it must be dry). Poke holes in the bag and refrigerate. Sometimes the bulb begins to sprout, in which case you should cut off the bag and allow the seed to grow freely.

The storage temperature of the bulbs should not exceed five degrees Celsius. If bulb If your lily has dried out, don't rush to throw it away. A thick, damp cloth will help revive the plant. Wrap the bulb in this cloth a few hours before planting.

Preparing the ground

Next in the lily process: planting and caring for lilies in open ground in spring. The photo shows that the soil needs to be properly prepared. The soil is dug, drainage is provided, and it's ideal to add fertilizer if possible.

Advice! Acidic soils are absolutely unsuitable for growing lilies. If your soil is acidic, you'll need to reduce its acidity. This is done the traditional way: by adding wood ash or chalk.

It's best to plant lilies in fresh soil. This means in a spot where plants haven't been grown before. If the soil is contaminated with microorganisms, you'll need to consider disease prevention beforehand. Your lilies will need moist soil throughout the season, especially in late summer and after flowering.

About planting and care

Any forum that provides information on planting and caring for lilies outdoors in spring will tell you that the plant should not be disturbed for four years after planting. Therefore, think carefully about which varieties to plant and where. The recommended planting pattern is in groups of three. Frequent replanting of the bulbs will significantly slow the growth of the plant itself.

In the fall, if you plant the bulb before the cold weather sets in, it will begin the root growth phase. This means it will bloom sooner in the spring. However, you can plant it as late as mid-spring. The main condition is that all possible frosts, including night frosts, have already passed. Choose a sunny planting site.

Advice! You can safely plant lilies in areas with direct sunlight. Direct sunlight won't harm lilies, and the only effect is that their petals take on a variety of interesting hues.

How to plant

Lily bulbs should be planted shallowly. This means two centimeters of the planting material should remain above the soil surface. Leave 20 cm between each bulb. Be sure to place drainage material at the bottom of the hole. Tamp the soil lightly after planting. Sprinkle with fertilizer.

What recommendations should be followed when planting:

• Large bulbs are planted deeper into the ground than small varieties of planting material;
• If there are rodents on the site, the bulb must be protected with a net or a special basket;
• When planting bulbs in the fall, they should be fully embedded in the soil. When planting lilies in the spring, leave a few centimeters above the soil surface;
• If you plant lilies on their side, they will multiply faster;
• To protect lilies from diseases, add a little wood ash to the soil before planting;
• Lilies generally don't require additional insulation. However, if the winter is very cold, you can cover the flower with ordinary straw;

Lilies: planting and care in open ground in spring This requires special attention and care. But if you've carefully read the information in this article, you'll handle all the processes with flying colors. Your reward will be enjoying the blooms and pleasant aroma of these beautiful, feminine, and delicate flowers.