Forcing Bulbs for Inside Winter Color

Growing bulbs inside is one of the great joys of winter. To get ready, scour store sales and garage sales for containers to plant various bulbs in to give as holiday gifts. There is nothing like the cheer of an amaryllis or daffodil; or a little antique teacup filled with lily of the valley to perk up a gray day! And, best of all, it is easy.

Bulbs that gardeners enjoy planting inside include amaryllis, daffodils, tulips, paper whites, crocus, hyacinth, and lily of the valley. These commonly available bulbs are lovely and adapt to a variety of indoor conditions obligingly. However, the list of plants that can be forced into bloom goes beyond this. Calla lilies, oxalis, grape hyacinth, freesia, and ranunculus are others that you could try.

The package should list the plant’s preferred growing conditions. It is a good idea to use a thermometer to check the temperature of the location that you would like to place a bulb for forcing. Some bulbs and plants may require cooler or warmer locations that you hopefully have conveniently available. Most bulbs require a chilling period of up to six weeks before growing them. A spare refrigerator set at a low temperature works well for beverages… and bulbs. Be sure to store the bulbs in a box with barely moist peat moss so they do not touch each other in storage.

Or, you could place them in pots and keep them outside in a protected area covered with mulch or in a cold frame type structure for a few weeks. Stagger bringing them in so you will have flowers all winter long.

And as long as you are potting up bulbs, you could try growing grass seed in interesting pots to add life to a coffee table or shelf. If you want it for a particular time, allow about two weeks to grow the grass.

To find instructions on forcing bulbs go to http://www.extension.org/ and enter “Forcing Bulbs” in the Search Field. You also can find answers to many gardening questions at our consumer horticulture web site: http://consumerhorticulture.psu.edu/ or contact your local cooperative extension office. In Lackawanna County ask for the Garden Help line at 963-6842 or email LackawannaExt@psu.edu

Terry Schettini, Extension Educator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County

Do you know where your pesticides are … ?

As you start wrapping up your garden for the season, consider this survey result: almost one half of surveyed households with children under the age of 5 had at least one pesticide stored within a child's reach. Proper pesticide storage helps prolong chemical shelf life while protecting the health of people, animals and the environment. Read the product label for specific storage information. Some basic tips for storing pesticides include:

• Store pesticides in locked cabinets.


• Always store pesticides in their original containers with their tops tightly closed.


• Never store pesticides in any food or drink container.


• Never store pesticides in cabinets near food, potable water, animal feed, medical supplies, protective clothing, seed, fertilizers or gasoline.


• Keep pesticides stored in cool dry areas to avoid temperature extremes.


• Store dry pesticides above liquid pesticides.


• Never store pesticides in application equipment.


• Keep emergency numbers handy.


• Reduce storage needs by buying only the amount and type of pesticide needed for the upcoming year.


• Read the label!

For the free fact sheet on 'What You Need to Know About Storing Pesticides' go to http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/uo216.pdf or call your local extension office. In Lackawanna County, call 963-6842 and ask for the garden helpline or email LackawannaExt@psu.edu

Terry Schettini, Extension Educator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County