Kevin Lee Jacobs

Gardening, Recipes & Home Décor Tips

Giveaway: $50 for Bulbs

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | 84 Comments

Last updated on December 2nd, 2011

YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY SPRING BULBS. From the early March aconites to the April and May hyacinths and tulips, bulbs offer blooms at a time when color means so much to our winter-weary souls. And you don’t have to wait for the snow to melt to enjoy them, either. For most can be forced to bloom indoors. To encourage you to plant more bulbs this fall, I’ve purchased a $50 shopping-spree at Easy To Grow Bulbs (dot) com. Would you like a chance to win it?

To be eligible for this random drawing, you must do these three things:

1. Subscribe — if you haven’t already — to my free, weekly email newsletter. Subscribing is easy. It is also SPAM-free.

2. Post a comment below, mentioning the bulbs you love. Maybe you can let me know if you plan to force something for winter bloom indoors. In any event, be sure to include your email contact info or at least a part of it (i.e., kevinlovestulips@) along with your comment. Otherwise, if Random.org selects your comment number, I won’t be able to contact you.

3. Click the “Like” button below.

Be sure to post and subscribe soon! This drawing ends at 11:59 PM EST on Friday, September 30, 2011. I’ll use the nifty gadget at random.org to select the winner.

What will $50 buy you at Easy To Grow Bulbs? Well, a wide variety of fascinating bulbs that you will never find at generic garden centers. Have a look at their online catalog.

And remember, you don’t have to wait for spring to enjoy a parade of color and scent. You can force any number of bulbs — fragrant freesias, daffodils, and hyacinths among them — to bloom indoors, just as I do.

Don’t miss anything at A Garden for the House…sign up for Kevin’s weekly newsletter.

Related Posts:
Eranthis hyemalis, The Winter Aconite
Tip-Toe Through the (Species) Tulips
It’s Freesia Time!
How to Create a Window Garden
Seven Ways to Beautiful Houseplants

Comments

  1. 1

    Adele says

    Kevin, I don't read A Garden for the House for the giveaways, but I certainly appreciate them!

    I have lots of major bulbs already, so it's time to try some of the minor ones. Specifically, chiondoxa and puschkenia. These would look terrific under my new birch tree.

  2. 2

    SneePete says

    Freesia and grape hyacinth are my favorites. Would love to try forcing freesia this year for the beautiful scent indoors. Grape hyacinths do very well in my window boxes. Thanks! SneePete

  3. 3

    Brenda Johnson says

    I used to have some unusual tulips that my grandmother had planted years ago- my favorite was coral in color with fringed edges. I would love to get more tulips!

  4. 4

    Anonymous says

    Kevin, I love the cheeriness of daffodils in the early spring. In the winter, I force paper white narcissus for the hope of spring and the scent. I subscribe to your newsletter.
    [email protected]

  5. 5

    Stephie McCarthy says

    Hi, Kevin, I have had a weakness for years for muscari. And lately have wanted to force the white ones, and plant pastels in the lawn. I'll never forget the time I saw a “fairy ring” of purple muscari around an apple tree! I also love classic narcissi and want to try your method for getting larger blooms. For tulips, I have been searching for a clear pink with hints of lime green around the base–a most elusive search!

  7. 7

    snowflake says

    Kevin. The best thing about winter to me is forced bulbs. I love them all… It sure does make spring seem closer with the heavenly smell indoors when the ground is still white. thanks for the chance..Love your recipes, ideas, [email protected]

  9. 9

    linda goetz fradley says

    I'd love to have some bulbs other than daffodils that the deer don't like. They would be such a surprise on my longhappytrail@

  10. 10

    Anonymous says

    Galanthus for outdoors; hyacinths for forcing … I live on the 12th floor in a windy area of Portland, OR. My 1,000 sq ft garden here is made up of “bins” planted with rugosa roses, woody shrubs, a few Ginko biloba 'Troll', Ninebark “Centerglow,” et al. I'd love a collection of Galanthus for spring cheer and to tie the bins together.

    Kat

  11. 11

    Katreader says

    I've never forced bulbs, but I'd be willing to try! I love daylilies, and other lilies, hyacinths, and tulips. I'd love to try some unusual bulbs. Katreader.

  12. 12

    sharley gold says

    I always force daffodils and hyacinths but never tried tulips or freesias. Could my gardens use more bulbs? Of COURSE!!!! Yet I'd pick some unique ones that the big box stores don't carry. Oh what a treat that would be.

  13. 13

    Deborah Rosen says

    I live in a very rural area and so have to think of the deer population when it comes to bulbs. I'd like to plant some Ornamental Onion, Snowdrops and Bluebells. I'm not overly interested in forcing bulbs.

  14. 14

    Yvonne says

    I love forcing Paper Whites for Christmas – I like the white with the red of the Poinsettia. I may have to try tulips this year or hmmm ….

    gaj4047

  15. 15

    Sheena Weir says

    I love bulbs I think crocus and snowdrops are favorites for the still winter weather time, but I just love daffodils of ALL varieties they are like little ladies of sunshine nodding in the spring breezes. For forcing I love the hyacinths their fragrance is so intoxicating and the colors are beautiful.
    If I was lucky enough to be chosen I would have a mixture of all of the above plus some tulips.
    Thanks you for your newsletter I look forward to it and pass it along to my gardening group. Recipes, advice, general information and to do list are just one less thing I have to remember because you do it for me.
    Thanks again!!
    [email protected]

  16. 16

    Rachel says

    I want to plant great multitudes of daffodils everywhere;other than that I love anything pink, blue, white or purple: iris, crocus, grape hyacinth, regular hyacinth. For some reason tulips don't grow well here – I planted bunches of them when I moved here and I see two or three of them if I'm lucky.

  17. 17

    Tina12312 says

    I subscribe.

    I love your window garden Kevin! I've been planting bulbs like crazy outside. My favorites are Dutch Irises and Stargazer lilies. I haven't ever forced them, but after seeing your beauties may just have to try it. Then they can compliment my orchids which I love!

    I liked your article. Thank you! grdnldy710 AT aol DOT com

  19. 19

    Betty819 says

    Wished we had the same type of windows that you have because every since I've started following your blog, I have wanted to be able to have a window garden like yours. We have a sunroom on the back of the house which gets the morning and afternoon sun and it would probably be perfect but the windows are sliders side ways. I've always wanted to raise AV and I rec'd a spider plant at a recent plant swap that I need to find the right pot for it. The glare from the sun hurts my DH's eyes and he keeps the blinds closed all day until there is no glare. I can't stand being closed up, so I go to the office to browse on my computer if I don't have something else going on.

  20. 20

    Prairiecactus says

    Hi Keven,
    Just thinking about bringing my Amys in for winter…love to see them bloom during the holidays. Thanks for the give-a-way…hope to win!
    I really like Iris and gardenia and I want to try a growing a beautiful Sarah peony in the next year…enjoy the autumn.
    p.s. I don't have room to do the beautiful bath window…it looks lovely.

  21. 21

    Angie Gorham says

    Hi Kevin!! Love that you're promoting bulbs!! I am not that experienced at it, but I always try and they always make me smile. Gotta have those paperwhites right after Christmas for a lift… have tried narcissus and tulips in my 150 yr old house basement and they did great.. have tried hyacinth in those hyacinth jars… not sure I'd do that again.. the blooms were very stunted.. I am also stoked that you do a window work of art!! I have always felt houseplants are sooooo necessary in the winter. I have tried scarlet runner bean around the windows and it is awesome!

  22. 22

    Kelly says

    My favorite bulbs to plant are crocus and daffodils. Crocus because they are the first to come up in the spring, and daffodils because my grandmother and I used to go on “look it!” drives to spot all the daffys blooming in the spring. They remind me of her.
    kellyama@hotmail

  23. 23

    Zak says

    The great thing about daffodils and crocus, is that the deer don't eat them. A few years back I planted 500 tulips and that first year crop was simply magnificent, they bloomed in unison…….until two days later, during the night, the deer agreed with me completely and left me with a ground cover of tulip leaves and stems.

  25. 25

    [email protected] says

    I've never forced bulbs, preferring to wait for Mother Nature to work her magic. I love, love, love daffodils. Started naturalizing some last year at the edge of a pine grove on our property, but could certainly use more. I can never have enough spring daffs!

  26. 26

    MarthaS says

    Daffs and allium. I've given up on tulips outside because of the critters. But forcing inside looks like an interesting idea

  29. 29

    Debra Bowles says

    Wildflowers popping up from bulbs are wonderful in early spring but for forcing, I adore paper whites. Thanks for your fun and simply-written therefore easily understood writings. Debra@

  30. 30

    Viva says

    I haven't forced anything during the winter yet, but would love to try hyacinths this year. I was inspired by your blog last year and brought in geraniums through the winter and it worked! I've had gorgeous geraniums outside all summer from last years plants. Thanks for the great tips here…love your blog.
    Email subscriber. Contact info is on my blog, starts with viva…

  32. 32

    Pepi NOble says

    Although I love the beautiful tulips colors so do my chipmunks so instead I force them inside around Dec-Feb.
    Your newsletter is one of my gardening highlights of the week. Thanks.

  36. 36

    Michelle says

    Kevin,
    I just started following your blog via email and I have enjoyed what I've read. I love bulbs. We have a large planter box full of daffodils and every year I love seeing them bloom – they look so pretty in front of our fence. I would like to spruce up the other side of the fence with hyacinths and tulips this next year. Thank you for a wonderful giveaway. [email protected]

  38. 38

    Anny says

    Bulbs galore: snowdrops, crocus, narcissi, chinodoxia, hyacinths, even some tulips (if I want to fight the critters for 'em) . . . bulbs parade through my brain at this time of year. Muscari, squilla, alliums . . . amaryllis for indoors . . . color, scent, anticipation! What a grand giveaway, Kevin. (And many thanks, too, for another beautiful window tutorial.)
    petracek at snet.net

  39. 39

    Tris says

    Thank you for this chance to win. I had success with a few hyacinth and daffodils last spring and planned on adding tulips to the mix this fall. My gallbladder decided to put the kabosh on any extra spending this year. 🙁 trisniemczyk (at) yahoo.com

  40. 40

    Lisa Camp says

    Hi Kevin,

    Can't beleive it's that time of the year to bring plants in and think of Spring! I plan to try to force bulbs this year following your instructions. Wish me luck. Love the hyacinths. Lisa
    [email protected]

  41. 41

    Christine says

    Hi Kevin,

    I have been enjoying your newsletters for a few months now. My family and I are moving this winter to a brand new home, so I will be losing 90% of my plants and bulbs (bar from what I have relocated to my mother's house), to be replaced by mud and rocks! So I am thinking of trying to force some tulips indoors this winter, and of course will be in desperate need of new bulbs – all of them – next spring. Thanks, Christine [email protected]

  43. 43

    Anonymous says

    Spring bulbs spells ANTICIPATION!

    By Spring, I have totally forgotten what I planted in October. When the leaves first appear it's like a gift wrapped present. The anticipation of “what's inside” is so fun!

  44. 44

    Kay says

    [email protected]
    Hi Kevin,
    I recently discovered your newsletter and have already learned so much! Thanks! I've never forced bulbs indoors, but do love hyacinth and narcissis. I planted a bunch of bulbs last fall, and would like to expand that this year. A great bulb planting tip I learned from a friend is to NOT plant them in open areas where you'll have to contend with the dying greens the following summer, but instead to plant them under small deciduous trees or among other plants which will come up later, such as hostas.

  46. 46

    peg42 says

    Hi,
    I'm an email subscriber.
    I've never forced bulbs before but would love to give it a try.
    My favoirtes are hyacinths and daffodils.
    Thanks so much.
    rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

  50. 50

    Maya says

    Hello Kevin! I'n new in bulbs and planting. But I would like to try it out and have a window like yours, surrounded by different pots of flowers. I wonder how it smells around thta window.
    [email protected]

  60. 60

    Melissa P. says

    Love the look of paper whites in the house during the dreary winter and the smell of hyacinths! mjnjpilch

  61. 61

    Amber says

    I subscribed – I love tulips but also love bulbs like garlic and onion! I like this post on Facebook too – my FB name is Amanda Moore
    Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
    vanillaglitter(at)gmail(dot)com

  62. 62

    Haggatha says

    I love the smell of hyacinths, but I don't have any right now. right now I have a lot of bearded iris and tulips. but I love flowers of all colors and kinds.
    ladycolor7 at yahoo dot com
    by the way I am subscribed and I like on fb as Sandy Berry Brown

  63. 63

    sksweeps says

    I'm an email subscriber and would love to add some German iris to my garden – my dad had lots and they always remind me of him.

    sksweeps (at) earthlink (dot) net

    liked above as well

  64. 64

    kdkdkd says

    I love Amaryllis bulbs, as well as Daylilies. We have a new home and I would love to get some bulbs in for my new garden, could make spring extra special.

  82. 82

    Barbarawr says

    I'm subscribed as barbara529 at juno dot com

    Wow – what is my favorite kind of bulb?? That's like asking me which is my favorite kitchen gadget – I love them all. But I might say tulips. Down South, they don't come back as well as they did up North, so I really miss them

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