What is a Bulb?

It's that time of year again! Bulb planting time! While some flowers are grown from seeds in the spring and summer, other plants start out as a bulb. A bulb is an underground storehouse and flower factory. Within the bulb is just about everything the plant will need to sprout and flower at the appropriate time. Bulbs planted in autumn must go through a significant cold period (winter) before they will flower in the spring. Cut open a bulb and this is what you'd find:

Some bulbs are edible, like garlic, which we recently planted in the school garden. You break apart the bulb and plant each separate clove.

Other bulbs are not edible like daffodils and crocuses.

And while we may not eat tulip bulbs, squirrels love them, so when planting tulip bulbs, always cover the soil surface with chicken wire or screen to prevent squirrels from digging them up.