Last updated on December 2nd, 2011
I KNOW IT’S ONLY JULY, but we who garden are forward-thinking, right? For instance, if we want gorgeous color in spring, we plant lots of bulbs in the fall. And to get the best bulbs at the best prices, we order them in summer. That’s why I’ve purchased, for this month’s random drawing, a $50 gift certificate from John Scheepers. Who wants to win this shopping spree for autumn-planted, spring-flowering bulbs?
For me, bulbs have been a great investment in beauty. Most return year after year, the anemones and winter aconites exploding in blue and yellow the moment the snow melts in late winter, while pushkenia, chiondoxa, tulips and myriad other bulbs keep the garden flower-filled from April through early June.
They are marvelous in winter windows, too. Pot them in October, chill those which require it, and then you can enjoy, as I do, Iris reticulata and Snowdrops in December, perfumed hyacinths, crocuses, tulips and daffodils in January and February, and fragrant freesia in February and March.
For a chance to win this gift certificate, just do these two simple things:
First, subscribe to my weekly email newsletter.
Next, leave a comment below. Be sure to include at least part of your email address at the end of your comment, so that I can verify you’ve signed up for the newsletter. (If you post as “anonymous” and leave no clue as to your email address, I won’t be able to notify you if you win.)
Enter soon! This drawing expires on Friday, July 15, at 11:59 PM. As with all my giveaways, the winner will be chosen not by me, but by this nifty gadget.
What will $50 get you at John Scheeper’s? Well, quite a lot, actually. Have a look at their online catalogue.
Don’t miss anything at A Garden for the House…sign up for Kevin’s weekly newsletter.
Related Posts:
12 Reasons to Stay Home in April
Blooming Bulbs for February
How to Force Hyacinths in Bulb Vases
From Parking Lot to Rose Garden
The Perpetual Life of Pelargonium Peltatum
Greg W says
Alliums and Glory-of-the-Snow are some of my favorites. I enjoy reading your blog and your thoughts. Thanx Greg W at Utah valley gardens zone 6b
Anonymous says
I subscribe to your newsletter (which I love). This is such an exciting giveaway…who wouldn't want more bulbs to brighten the early spring!
[email protected]
Deborah says
I subscribe to your newsletter: asthenight at gmail dot com (if this is a duplicate post…sorry, I keep trying and getting the 503 error).
[email protected] says
I enjoy your weekly newsletter and look forward to things that I can do in my own garden. White vinegar as weed killer really works… thank so much for that. [email protected]
ErinFromIowa says
Sign me up! I love growing bulbs. So much potential beauty packed in a rather homely package. blonday2u is the beginning of my addy.
Roz says
What a treat your newsletter is! It's a pleasure to bring up your cheerfully illustrated home page. I have a new greenhouse and raised beds for vegetables(that I load with too many flowers, but they're gorgeous.) I've used a lot of your advice…for garlic growing, for example. Thanks from [email protected].
gold says
You inspire me, not only with the gardening but with your upkeep with blogging. Keep it up!! sharley
mary says
love your gardening posts
often I learn more about plants I already adore + it is always fun to learn new tips
mary
newsletter under cosmowinter at gm
Broken Barn Industries says
*Best Arnold Horshack voice* Oooooh, ooooh, ooooh, pick me! The brokenbarn needs more bulbs! (I wanted to put more in last fall but broke my leg in September!)
Sharon Kauerz says
I was about to place my order for alliums and galanthus! Hope I win, thanks! Sharon at [email protected]
[email protected] says
My favorite “bulb” is a Mirabilis tuber, the old fashioned 4:00's. I am in zone 6, southeastern PA. Each fall I must dig up my enormous tuber and store it for winter in our attached garage along with Callas, Cannas and Dahlias. Mirabilis comes readily from seeds and most people I know are familiar with the plant as an annual. Few of them realize it produces a tuber like a black carrot in year one, and steadily increases its girth with every replanting. I have photos of cantelope-sized tubers sitting next to my gardening gloves for scale. Right now the 4:00's are scenting the patio each evening, rising to about 4 feet tall and as wide in a vivid shade of fuchsia. Hummingbirds love these tubular blossoms, too.
Thanks for your inspiring blog! [email protected]
trillium says
I look forward to your weekly newsletter – I've learned so much from you and am having fun applying these tips. Last week I started with “burying” some branches from favorite shrubs, and your vinegar trick (versus other options) worked famously. It's fun to pass them along to others too.
Thanks for your great newsletter! [email protected]
Nancy says
Count me in! [email protected]. I am enjoying this website and blog very much.
Wonder whether anyone could recommend a good place where we can purchase a wooden fence and have them install it? Need someone in MA or NH. Many thanks?
brenda cole says
I've been enjoying your newletter for some time now. The humble daffodil is my favorite bulb of late. I have an arce of woods on my property and every year I plant a couple hundred new daffodils in the hopes that someday soon I'll have a carpet of yellow come early spring time. bcole63@….
SneePete says
Wow, this is a lovely giveaway — thanks very much for offering it. We have had success with bulbs in our balcony container garden, and look forward to the fall planting season! SneePete
Evans says
I am looking forward to trying your boxwood rooting technique. -kristi.evans
Amy from NH says
Hi Kevin – just wanted to let you know how useful your website has been to my husband and I. We've used it for our potatoes to our green beans and everything in between. Thanks for your help.
Amyshannon.rsa@
Robin Cogburn says
Your giveaways are so much fun. Thanks for continuing them, Kevin. Robin in Seattle
linda fradley says
Would love to use these bulbs in N.C. in a naturalized area. Thanks! longhappytrail
Nancy Shelly says
Right now: enjoying the last lettuce, the green beans, beets, arugula, basil and herbs. Anxiously awaiting: the first cuke. tomatoes, brussels
sprouts and the arrival of bulb catalogs.
Cindy Merrill says
I am subscribed to your newsletter. My hubby would be thrilled if I win- we live in a zone three growing area.
[email protected]
grams says
I didn't know you could plant bulbs in oct. I sure would love to try it out.
thank you for giving us a chance to win
grams of 20
[email protected]
Prairiecactus says
We in the prairie have already had 100° plus weather so often that it has been difficult to keep most things alive. Hoping for a cooler year in 2012 and many more blooms! The true survivors in my yard this year have been my butterfly bush and the red prairie salvias.
Add us to the hopeful entrants!
blbarrrett@
Patty says
With all the great timely advice you give in your blog/newsletter and on Facebook I feel like I should be giving YOU a gift certificate! I so appreciate you and your garden wisdom!
pep@neo
Donna says
Our sloping front bank is covered with carpet roses in summer. so I planted hyacinth, muscari & crocus for spring color. They are really multiplying & filling in now. Beautiful.
[email protected]
Martha says
I love Scheeper's bulbs. Enormous bulbs and an enormous selection.
Bonnie says
Looking forward to spring bulbs is what gets me through the winter. Would love this gift certificate!
bperfetti@
Yvonne says
Already subscribed. Would love a gift certificate to add to my spring bulbs. gaj4047
casacara says
I love paging through the Scheepers catalogue, and others, but the list of deer-proof naturalizers is disappointingly short! And even some of those on their list haven't been borne. out by my experience. MY deer did eat the muscari, and the foliage of the Spanish bluebells (though not the flowers). Oh well, there's always allium, and that makes up for a lot.
caramia447
yaxue says
I just signed up two days ago! And in the first newsletter I receicpved there is this giveaway 🙂 ….ritter2@yahoo
Thank you Kevin, win or not
Jacqueline says
I'm a newsletter subscriber and I love tulips.
womenfest@
Ellie says
Add a 1/4 c. table salt and a tsp of dish detergent to your 4 c. white vinegar in a large spray bottle and you've really got a weed killer!
Carolsue says
I subscribe to your newsletter via e-mail.
I've enjoyed looking through the catalog and reading the recipes! Thanks.
Digicats {at} sbcglobal.net
Anonymous says
Love reading your blog and getting new ideas all the time! [email protected]
immeasurably more says
inspired by your writings and garden artistry. i have much to learn about gardening, and i appreciate your help along the way!
mjmdominguez@
Missy Stevens says
I love the earliest comers, the snowdrops, snow crocus, all the wee ones that break the winter flower fast.
Marie says
I'm fairly new to your blog, but loving it so far! Thanks for these wonderful opportunities!
marie.laser [at] gmail.com
donnashipley says
Thanks so much for this opportunity to win the certificate. I ALWAYS need bulbs:)
Kathleen says
I always enjoy reading your posts, and learning new and amazing things for my garden and kitchen!
Thanks so much, Kevin, for all of the wonderful information!
Kathleen
Kathleen@YourWords…
Kathy Stumpf says
Kevin,
You are my inspiration and my gardening guru. I would love to have some bulbs. Please enter me in the drawing.
Thanks,
[email protected]
ladyvon5845 says
I am a subscriber. I love bulbs, the first sign of spring. Where I live in IA, people have planted bulbs all over the small town and are beautiful and I would like to add the beauty by adding my own.
Vicki says
Who wouldn't want more bulbs? I need more spring color in the midst of all my green! Maybe some alliums, maybe some others…. And of course I get your newsletter, Kevin, it is required reading in our house… “The house with “The Fence” . Cheers from [email protected]
Sharon ([email protected]) says
I just found your blog last week via A Way To Garden, and joined your newsletter.
In particular, I look for for bulbs that are deer resistant. Those long-necked galoots have been eating just about everything they can get their faces into this year. Thankfully they did not even try to eat grape hyacinth, daffodil, alliums, or hyacinth.
Brenda says
Win a shopping spree… for bulbs…. perfect~ I'm in! Firebear
Gayayyagari says
Since I am already anew subscriber i hope I will be considered for the prize as well! Thank you.
Bevcamp@ says
Your newsletter makes me want to do more gardening and I love the recipes. It is very nicely done. Keep it up.
[email protected] says
Love your webiste! I hate to see summer end, but this gives me something to look forward to.
Kathlyn Dettmer says
Anyone who lives in northern climates understands the excitement and hope of waiting for the spring bulbs. Count me in!
meri says
new found favorite blog !merihann at yahoo
Mary Unruh says
Bulbomania- hoping they don't find the cure!
Email: jimmaryun
Sylvie says
Thanks for offering this as a giveaway. I'm a novice gardener and look forward to becoming better and better! sylversoldier at yahoo
Debbie C says
I really need some spring flowers in my yard. It's terribly lacking in that area and season.
chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com
Annette D says
I love all types of bulbs! Thanks for the giveaway! I am also looking forward to your newsletter. [email protected]
mkboldin says
Very informative stuff. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Thanks for the giveaway. I would love to plant some bulbs this fall so I could the beauty of flowers in the spring.
Krista says
how exciting!
kristameow at gmail dot com
Teresa H says
I'm looking forward to your newsletter.
Tina12312 says
I would love to try some woodland bulbs as we have a shade garden under our holly tree and it really needs some spring color.
I subscribed (grdnldy710 AT aol DOT com). Thank you!
Lisa Campagna says
Hi Kev,
Always loving your blog and all the great info you provide. Tthank you for sharing all your knowledge.
Lisa
Lisa Campagna says
oh yah- email [email protected]
Kelly K. says
I am all signed up, thanks for the chance to win. My garden really needs some livening up and this would really help out.
kgkiml at yahoo dot com
mkjmc says
I love spring flowers getting more perennial tulips this year
[email protected]
mverno says
i love to buy beautiful things i subrcibed to email [email protected]
april bever says
Subscribed to your weekly newsletter
4robert2win(at)gmail(dot)com
Anonymous says
ALREADY SUB.
ptreskovich at hotmail dot com
clc408 says
I subscribe and love bulbs. Thanks for the chance.
Email is in my profile
KowgirlsRule says
I signed up for your email kowgirlsrule at gmail dot com
Anonymous says
[email protected]
ALREADY AN E-MAIL SUBSCRIBER
MOMFOREVERANDEVER says
ALREADY MRS.MOMMYYATGMAIL
jegr says
I subscribe. I would love to win. I need something besides daffodils that deer won't eat.
jegrdo@aim
Jen H says
I signed up. jenharriman123 (email is in my blogger profile as well)
ckfrrt says
I subscribe,I love Scheepers and order from there yearly
[email protected]
Erin E says
I subscribe to your emails. Thank you for the lovely giveaway.
sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com
Deb says
I subscribe to your weekly email newsletter. Thanks so much for the great giveaway
fairydancer40[at]gmail[dot]com
sksweeps says
I'm a subscriber – love all your tips and recipes!
sksweeps (at) earthlink (dot) net
Katreader says
I'd love a shopping spree! I love things I can plant and then forget about-so I'd love some bulbs. Katreader.
Sarah says
I want to try some allium bulbs.
Subscriber sam_oh52 at hotmail dot com
Jennifer R says
I signed up for the newsletter. Thanks for the chance. reejen at comcast dot net
dddiva says
Thank you so much- I am already a subscriber. discriminating_diva at yahoo dot com
kendra22 says
a subscriber thanks for the great blog
kendraco22 at yahoo dot com
kat says
I signed up for the email.
[email protected]
kat says
I love them all!! The Allium Aflatunerense and the Brodiaea Rudy are beautiful!
[email protected]
susansmoaks says
email subscriber
susansmoaks at gmail dot com
carol y l says
I subscribe spencer1953 at gmail dot com.
Hyacinths and daffodils are my favorites!
Angie says
I subscribe and love the tips!
osheimangie
Salleefur/Jesselyn/Jesster says
Hi Kevin. I'm already a devoted email subscriber
jessterlyn(at)aol(dot)com
I do love autumn bulb that blossom into late Winter – Early Spring Blooms! Ah, the first Crocus, Daffodils, Hyacinths… Though sometimes our very clever local Squirrels have a sneaky way of re-arranging the bulbs (the ones that they don't eat!) Thanks Kevin!
jessterlyn(at)aol(dot)com
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Wow. Thanks for entering, everyone. Random.org selected #14. Congratulations, Brenda Cole.
And stay tuned…there will be another giveaway next month.