I want to grow flowers...can you help?

I get this question a lot! And, yes, I can help! One of the easiest ways to start growing your own flowers is by planting bulbs. Fall is the perfect time to plant many bulb varieties, too!

You can get bulbs from most big box stores, but this is considered a bit late in the season. I recommend trying Lowes, Home Depot, or a garden center. Often stores like Lowes have moved them to a high visibility area so they sell so they can get Christmas stock in place. You can even order online. Chances are you will find bulbs on clearance now, too.

The most important part is you get the bulbs planted now. While technically you can plant until the ground freezes, nobody wants to be digging in the wet ground while the cold wind howls around you (trust me on this).

What are bulbs you might want to plant in the fall in the midwest? Good choices are tulips, daffodils, crocus, paperwhites, and alliums.

If you have a lot of critters in your yard (chipmunks, moles, and even deer), then you might want to narrow your focus to alliums and daffodils since they tend to leave those bulbs alone.

If you plant tulips, know that not all varieties return year after year. Darwin hybrids and fosteriana varieties are most likely to return--that is, if you can keep them from becoming a meal for wildlife.

None of the bulbs need to be dug up--they are plant once and enjoy. Just be sure to read the planting instructions--not planting at the right depth can cause big problems.

Take a little time now to plant for an amazing sight next spring!