Place bulbs in the ground pointed side up and 5 to 6 inches apart. Cover bulbs with soil. After planting, water the beds until the soil is thoroughly moist to help root formation. Cover the beds with a 1 inch mulch of bean straw to protect the soil and hold moisture. Watering - The tulip bed needs watering after planting in the fall, in early spring before blooming, and after blooming.
Tulip beds require additional watering during long dry periods in the winter with no rain or snow.
After the tulips bloom, keep the beds watered to prevent surface soil cracking. Fertilizing - Tulip bulbs do not require fertilizing beyond the addition of bone meal at planting time. Tulips do not like overly rich soil. May. Cut the tulip stems when the first petals begin to drop off. Do not let fallen petals stay in the bed, this keeps the garden clean and prevents blight.