Bulbs potted now provide unique spring display

Bulbs such as daffodils, hyacinths, tulips and crocuses are excellent choices for forcing in pots in the greenhouse or home. The bulbs need to be chilled for six to 10 weeks at 40 degrees or below to satisfy the requirement of a dormant period. Plant the bulbs in pots in the fall and leave in a cold place before bringing inside for forcing.

Place the pots in a cold frame outside, plunge the pots into the ground and mulch. You can also just plant the pots in a garden bed for the required chill time. Do not allow the pots to dry out.

When it's time to bring the pots inside, gradually acclimate the bulbs to inside conditions, keeping them at 50 to 60 degrees for a few days.

• For a unique bulb display in spring, you can plant bulbs in containers now. Layer the bulbs in the containers, and keep them in an unheated garage over winter. An attached garage will work best so that the containers do not freeze solid on a consistent basis.

Water the bulbs well at planting and provide some supplemental water as needed during the remainder of fall as the bulbs will be forming roots during this time. You may need to water the containers in late winter as temperatures begin to warm up.

Move the pots outside as the weather warms in spring, and the bulbs will grow and flower. Move the bulbs back in the garage if a hard freeze is predicted. If you have planted tulips that deer prefer, then it will be a good idea to net the bulbs when you have them outside.

• Fall rains have been good so far but remember that evergreens planted over the previous three years should be watered as needed in November if conditions become dry. It is easy to forget about watering during the colder weather in November. Recently planted evergreens should not go into winter under drought stress, which will increase the chance of winter burn. Evergreens can lose moisture from their leaves faster than the roots can replace it when there is low soil moisture, freezing temperatures and blowing wind.

When watering, make sure the root balls of evergreen trees are thoroughly moistened by applying water to the base of the plant. It is a good idea to check the root balls of evergreens that were planted this year to make sure the rains reached there. Densely branched evergreen trees can shed water from rain or a sprinkler away from the root ball.

• Tim Johnson is director of horticulture at Chicago Botanic Garden, chicagobotanic.org.