- 1). Cultivate the planting area for your tulips thoroughly with a garden fork or shovel, down to a depth of between 12 and 15 inches. Mix into the area about 2 to 4 inches of compost, rotted leaves or other similar organic material.
- 2). Dig holes in your planting area that are 5 to 6 inches deep and spaced 4 to 6 inches apart. If soil is particularly sandy, or the climate is on the mild side (with no hard freezes), dig holes slightly deeper, 7 to 8 inches deep.
- 3). Stir into the bottom of each hole 1 tbsp. of a low-nitrogen, granular fertilizer, such as 6-12-12, or similar bulb-type fertilizer. Mix the fertilizer into the soil thoroughly, then put about 1 inch of soil over the fertilizer and soil mixture.
- 4). Set one red Apeldoorn tulip bulb into each hole. Make sure to plant each bulb with the pointy side facing upwards. Cover up each bulb with at least 4 inches of soil and tamp it down gently.
- 5). Push gardening stakes around the planted area to mark the location. Water the tulip bulbs until you are sure the area has been well dampened down. Let the water run slowly since it has to reach all the way down to the bulbs. Spread 3 to 5 inches of pine bark, straw, grass clippings or other like material for mulch over the planted area. Keep the red Apeldoorn tulips well watered during the dry periods in the fall.
Planting Red Apeldoorn Tulips
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