What kind of soil should I use?
You should provide the tulip bulbs with damp, loose, absorbent soil to ensure proper growth. If you are dealing with heavy clay soil then add compost, sawdust, peat moss, and other humus-rich substances to improve the soil. Adding these substances can also help sandy soils retain more moisture. Make sure to work these materials down to about 12 to 18 inches so that the new root systems have a chance to flourish.

How much sunlight should my tulips get?
Most of your tulips need quite a bit of sun. It's good to plant them in a lightly shaded area, but not completely away from the sun. Planting them near shade will help keep the bulbs chilled during the winter. They need the heat to ripen next year's flower buds. Make sure they don't get too much shade.

How do I plant and take care of my tulip bulbs?
Place the bulbs firmly in the soil, pointed end up. Tulips should be planted about 8 inches deep and about 4 to 6 inches apart, while other Specialty Bulbs should be planted about 5 inches deep and about 3 inches apart. Make sure you plant them deep enough, otherwise they won't grow. Cover the bulbs with soil, water well, and then add a thin layer of mulch. Colder climates may require thicker mulch. Make sure they receive enough water. It is recommended to water them one time per month before they bloom and one time per week after they bloom. Make sure you remove all the weeds before they reach more than an inch high. Make sure you don't fertilize them after they have begun to bloom because they could develop a fungus or other disease.

Fertilizers
When using fertilizers one of the best options is bone meal, especially for those bulbs left in the ground year round. Bone meal is a slow acting, long-lasting source of the phosphorus that bulbs need to build good root systems. Apply the fertilizer 5 to 6 pounds per 100 square feet, if you plant them in beds then use about a teaspoonful in each hole.

Another excellent fertilizer for bulbs is dry cow manure and compost. The higher percentage of phosphorus helps the development of the flower and the root system. Plants need nitrogen for healthy plants, phosphorus for a strong flower and root system and potassium for firm stems and resistance to the cold and any disease.

How do I store my bulbs?
Be sure to top the blooms off of your tulips before they start to fall, this should be done at the end of the season. It is recommended that you dig out your tulip bulbs each year, after the foliage has died down completely. Plant them in a flower pot outdoors, but keep them watered and fed with fertilizer. Wash the bulbs and store them in a dry and cool place. You can put them in the crisper drawer of your fridge. Store them in a ventilated bag, such as an old onion sack or a panty hose. As long as they are stored away from direct heat and cold, with enough ventilation, then they can be re-planted with a good fertilizer in the fall, along with any new bulbs you plant.

There are a number of different kinds of flowers and bulbs that need their own way of being cared for. Tulip bulbs are generally very easy to take care of. You can have a beautiful tulip garden instantly if you follow these tips on how to take care of tulip bulbs.