Bulbs should be firm and plump. Prebagged bulbs can be a bargain. But buyers must be wary. A late season sale may offer picked-over varieties. It is important to place the bulbs in the ground as soon as possible so they can develop a root system before winter.
Healthy roots mean larger blooms.
Planting The size of the bulb determines the depth and spacing. A one inch bulb can be planted two to three inches deep. One-inch bulbs should be spaced one inch apart. Close planting causes spring-flowering bulbs to crowd each other out. But planting too far apart makes an unattractive display.