They produce some of the most desirable flowers we know and love, but a bulb can be very confusing to an amateur gardener. We look at this little stub and think, “Seriously, a daffodil is going to sprout up from this thing?” As tropical houseplant growers, bulbs can be a totally different game when it comes to caring, with different sets of tips to be mindful of. Jenks Farmer is a bulb expert and lifelong gardener and in this ep, he joins us to break down everything you need to know about bulbs. Let's dive in!

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In this episode we learn:

• [00:49] Growing Joy updates and invitation
• [02:04] Watering technique tips and water quality lecture
• [04:05] How Jenks became the bulb expert he is today
• [07:35] What is a bulb? How do we identify bulbs?
• [11:52] Listener question: When is the best time to plant alliums? Will the plants reproduce over time?
• [12:43] Where can you find bulbs in nature?
• [14:33] Beginner terms: Annuals vs perennials
• [15:10] What is a naturalized garden?
• [16:29] When do you plant different kinds of bulbs?
• [18:35] How does ground temperature trigger bulb growth?
• [19:03] How do you force bulbs indoors?
• [23:14] How do bulbs grow? Why do we need to divide bulbs?
• [24:53] The best gardening products for any gardening situation
• [26:14] Where to get pre-grown plants and seeds for your spring garden
• [27:47] Why do we need to dry bulbs? How do you store dry bulbs?
• [28:16] How do you store caladiums?
• [31:04] Jenks’ indoor bulb recommendations
• [32:00] Do all bulbs go dormant?
• [34:21] How do you plant bulbs? Do bulbs have to be planted right side up?
• [35:32] What is the ideal soil mixture for bulbs? How often should you fertilize bulbs?
• [37:08] How deep should bulbs be planted? Why is depth important?
• [39:17] Jenks’ bulb recommendations for every season!
• [42:05] Why does Jenks like crinums?
• [42:50] Where do crinums originate from?
• [44:11] Where can crinums grow in the country?
• [45:29] Why Jenks wrote a book on crinums
• [48:04] Where to find Jenks online
• [50:01] Maria’s gardening plans update and spring announcements

Mentioned in our conversation:

• PRE-ORDER LINK: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung
• The Crinum Book, book by Augustus Jenks Farmer
• Funky Little Flower Farm, book by Augustus Jenkins Farmer
• Deep-Rooted Wisdom: Skills and Stories from Generations of Gardeners, book by Augustus Jenkins Farmer
• Jenks Farmer’s bulb and containers

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

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Espoma Organic

Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To learn more about their pet safe indoor and outdoor gardening products, visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

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