How to Grow Narcissus Bulbs

The narcissus, also called daffodil or jonquil, is a plant genus made up of 12 divisions that encompass 70 species with 25,000 cultivars. The blossoms of the plants appear in the spring and have a distinct trumpet shape. All grow from a bulb system and require similar planting and care. The bulbs require fall planting so they can undergo a period of cold stratification prior to breaking dormancy in the spring. Purdue University lists October as the best month to plant Narcissus bulbs.

Shovel
Garden trowel
General purpose bulb fertilizer
Bone meal
Mulch (peat moss or straw)
Handheld pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Work the soil to a depth of 12 inches in an area with full sunlight and well draining soil. Discard all weed growth from the planting location. Apply 2 to 4 lbs. of a general purpose granulated bulb fertilizer and 3 to 4 lbs. of bone meal for every 100 square feet of the garden space. Work the fertilizer and bone meal into the soil.
- 2
  Dig a hole that is 5 to 8 inches deep. Place the narcissus bulb with the pointed end of the bulb skyward and cover with soil. Space the bulbs 2 to 6 inches apart, depending on the bulb size. Large bulbs require more space than smaller bulbs.
- 3
  Water the bulbs thoroughly once planted. Keep the soil moist until winter.
- 4
  Apply 2 inches of straw or peat moss over the bulbs to offer wintertime protection. When spring arrives remove 1 inch of the mulch cover to encourage the bulbs to break dormancy and begin growing.

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