If shoots are present when you receive your bulbs, they should be planted upright for faster growth. Lack of water during germination can result in initially smaller leaves. The bulbs should be only two inches under the soil. Smaller bulbs planted in a cluster will give the same effect as a larger bulb. Leaf size is determined by the size of the eyes on a bulb.
Larger bulbs have a better chance of having larger eyes.
See the suggested spacing below to determine proper planting distance. The bulbs should be dug before the first frost. Time permitting, the leaves should be allowed to dry up and fall off naturally. This allows the nutrients to be absorbed by the bulb. The leaves may also be removed by cutting them off close to the bulb, being careful not to cut into the bulb.