Provided you’ve selected bulbs suited to your hardiness zone and climate, they’ll require remarkably little care. Of their few needs, regular in-season watering is most important.

Dahlias come in all sizes, from the diminutive to the very tall. The largest cultivars have dish-sized blooms.

Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard

Most bulbs store water within for use when supplies become spotty. You should water your bulbs during their period of active growth whenever natural precipitation becomes sparse.

Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard

Remember that most bulbs developed traits in the wild suited to the specific climate in which they grew. They survived periods of drought by entering a near-dormant state, and they’ll do the same in your garden. Water may come from rain or from irrigation; your role as gardener is simply to ensure that they receive a regular supply of water during the times that they break dormancy, grow, bloom and store nutrients for the coming dormant cycle.

Generally, keep spring-blooming bulbs moist with regular waterings from the onset of warm weather until their foliage matures; water should be withheld thereafter, either by natural drought or by lifting and storing them in a warm, dry location after their foliage has dried.

Summer and autumn bulbs require watering throughout the entire gardening season, from spring planting until temperatures cool. Reduce the amount of water to summer bulbs as autumn arrives, triggering their dormancy. Continue to water your autumn bloomers until the first frosts begin in cold-winter climates, or until the onset of winter in mild-winter areas. Move them indoors into cool, dry storage until spring.

For evergreen and tropical bulbs, withhold water to slow their growth, generally starting about 6 weeks after their blooms fade, then begin watering again to prompt another bloom cycle, provided sunlight hours remain long. Some tropicals require other watering schedules; follow the recommendation for each particular species.

How often should you water, and how much should you apply? A good rule is to wait until the soil dries, then slowly apply 1 inch of water – envision an imaginary sheet of water that thick – covering the garden soil until it’s saturated 4-6 inches deep.

Regular watering during active growth – usually performed weekly – is essential to making your bulbs grow and bloom. If the soil around your bulbs becomes dry, they’ll slow their growth and prepare for dormancy. Extended drought will halt their bloom. Note the amount of water received from rains during the time that your bulbs start sprouting new foliage and sending up buds, and apply more if needed. For most species, the soil should remain evenly damp or moist. If a dry spell lasts more than a week, gather your hose and a diffusing nozzle in the morning after the air has warmed, and take the steps shown in the following pictures and described in their captions.