Buy the best bulbs

Want to buy the best bulbs this fall? We can help. Start by picking each bulb up. It should feel heavy. You might have to pick up several and compare them before you get a feel for it. If the bulb feels light, it’s dried out from too much heat or from being held for too long in storage. Unlike a seed, a dry bulb can’t be rehydrated — don’t buy it.

Most bulbs have a thin, dry tunic that keeps them moist. If it’s still attached, smooth and glossy, the bulb is probably in good shape. But even if the tunic is missing, the bulb might be OK. The tulips above all look a little different. Read the label on each one to find out whether it’s worth buying.

Now that you know how to choose your bulbs, make planting them a breeze with the bulb auger at right!