#YouShouldGrowThis: Daffodils bring a brighter spring

Everyone loves daffodils (Narcissus). Unfortunately, we rarely think about them until spring! We should be thinking about them right now! Daffodils are inexpensive, lovely and easy to grow as long as you know a few basic rules about them.

The first thing to know is that you have to plant them as soon as the bulbs are available. This can mean the last week of August or the September long weekend. Get them in the ground immediately! Daffodil bulbs need at least six to eight weeks to root before the ground freezes; if you plant them too late, they won't appear in the spring.

It's also imperative that you keep the bulbs well watered once they are planted. Daffodils like moist locations and in the wild they usually grow near creeks, rivers, and ponds. This is a clue to how they want to be treated in the garden. They will multiply if they like you and they are great for planting beneath deciduous trees.

It is impossible to feel depressed when looking at a great swath of daffodils, especially after a long and dreary winter.- Lyndon Penner

They come in every conceivable shade of yellow through orange and gold, but there are also some excellent (and under utilized) white forms. So-called pink daffodils are not pink. They are salmon or coral or sort of peachy, but definitely not pink. Be not deceived!

For prairie gardeners, it's also important to recognize that generally speaking, the shorter the daffodil, the hardier it is.

Tiny cultivars such as Ice Follies and Minnow are cute in rock gardens or along pathways and are usually pretty reliable. Great big giant daffodils like King Alfred and Dutch Master are certainly worth trying, but not foolproof. Fortunately daffodils are very inexpensive and you can afford to experiment a little.

Daffodils are the hardiest members of the amaryllis family, and like many of their relatives, they are armed with irritating and somewhat toxic compounds in their leaves and bulbs. This means that deer, rabbits, squirrels, and other "undesirables" usually leave them alone. 

For best effect, daffodils should not be planted singly hither and yon. Mass them! Plant them in glorious, heaving drifts! It is impossible to feel depressed when looking at a great swath of daffodils, especially after a long and dreary winter.

Go out there and plant some daffodils today! (*No, seriously. Today. Don't wait.)

#YouShouldDoThis for the week of September 7th 

1) Don't stop watering just because September is here! Don't put the hose away yet! Keep things well watered. 
 
2) Now is the time to divide or move peonies! Daylilies, lilies, iris and hostas can also be dug or moved at this time. 
 
3) Start buying and planting tulip and daffodil bulbs! (see above)

Are you already growing daffodils? Have some tips to share?  Show us on Twitter @CBCSask or Facebook and use the hashtags #YouShouldGrowThis and #YouShouldDoThis.