If you think that autumn is the time to stop gardening, think again. It’s bulb planting time! Hampton Nursery in Hampton Bays has a great selection of bulbs to choose from, and we score some of their tips for planting our favorite bulbs below:

Best Bulbs for Hamptons Gardens: 

1. Daffodils multiply and spread the fastest. A bed of Daffodil bulbs declare the arrival of Spring! Plus the deer won’t eat them.

2. Hyacinths are the most fragrant. They’re also great in pots and they’re deer resistant.

3. Tulips are the classic bulb in the spring garden. They come in an array of colors and make excellent cut flowers. But be careful, they’re a salad bar for deer so be sure to apply a deer repellent.

4. Crocus are the first flower to bloom often poking up thru the snow in late winter. They’re easy to grow and naturalize quickly. Did you know that Crocus is a Greek word that means Saffron? The Saffron spice is extracted from 3 red stigmas in the center of each flower. It takes about 1,000 stigmas to get 1 ounce of saffron. That’s why the spice is so expensive.

When your porch pots and garden borders begin to bloom in spring you will be so glad you planted your bulbs on time.  Hampton Nursery is located at:   205 W Montauk Hwy, Hampton Bays; (631) 728-1160.

Hamptons Nursery Tips for Planting Bulbs:

1. In the fall you’ll find bulbs to purchase everywhere. Make sure you buy them from a reputable nursery or garden center.  Second-rate bulbs produce second-rate flowers, or don’t sprout at all.

2. Make sure you plant your bulbs before the ground freezes and fertilize them at the time of planting.

3. In general plant bulbs at a depth of 3 times the width of the bulb, usually about 6″ deep.

4. Bulbs look much like an onion. Plant them with the pointy end up. If you’re not sure which end is which, plant them on their side and they’ll find their way up.