Aids to Planting Daffodils

Planting in Rows

A simple method to solve the width of rows issues is to outline the bed with stakes driven into the ground and connected with string. The stakes and string outline the length and width of the bed (in other words a rectangle is formed with the string tied to stakes). The width of the stakes should judge the width of the rows across the bed, and the length of the stakes should judge the length of the overall bed.

(I use the row method, regardless of the dimensions of the plot of land that the bulbs are to be planted. The only exception is when the bulbs are planted in my naturalized borders as clusters or clumps.)

Planting Ruler An effective planting aid is a piece of plank or plywood used as a Planting Ruler. This ruler should be about eight inches wide by four/five foot long. I prefer an eight inch strip of plywood as it serves a second purpose that will become evident as this article continues. Next mark the ruler at each six inch interval starting six inches inside one end of the ruler, all the way across to the other end. For example, if the bed is four feet wide, there will be seven six inch intervals from side to side, leaving six inches at each side of the bed. Place the ruler across the width of the bed under the string and place a permanent mark at the location where the string crosses the ruler on both ends.

For marking, use a black permanent ink marker, marking a straight line across the rulerd, at the location of the string on each end, and at each of the six inch intervals. The six inch interval is where the bulb is planted, giving a standard six inches between bulbs. The ruler can then be used as a permanent marker and location for bulb planting. As each row is finished simply move the ruler, using the string as the locator and matching the original string locations at the ends with the mark on the ruler, which allows for quickly marking the location of all new bulbs to be planted and establishes the straight line in the new row at the same time.

Cut Board or Plywood If using the eight inch wide plywood strip as a ruler, a secondary purpose is also accomplished that eases planting. If rows are to be 10 inches wide, then the eight inch plywood allows for a perfect measurement between rows allowing two rows to be planted without moving the marker. A bulb planted in the standard two inch wide hole will have one inch space on each side of it. Therefore, an eight inch marker and a two inch holes on both sides of the board, makes a perfect 10 inch separation of rows.

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