One of my favorite parts of spring is the tulips. And planting tulip bulbs is a great way to get them in your yard. Lay out your bulbs by strategically placing them where you think they best fit. Contrary to popular belief, tulips don't last forever and after 5 or 6 years, your flowers will be considered 'aged' and may need to be replaced.

Planting tulips is well worth the work as the flowers feel like they give you a fresh burst of sunshine in the spring. Are you dreaming of your own tulip garden and wondering how to start planting? Follow these steps and tips to make your dream come true.

One shound not assume that digging the hole for planting the tulip bulbs is easy and simple; a hole about ten inches deep must be dug first and the soil at the bottom of the hole must be slightly loose so that air and water find their way to in and around the bulb placed in the hole. You will be able to do this by putting back 2-3 in. of the soil that you dug up, and the soil have plenty of air.

You must place the bulb in the hole the right way. Be sure to plant all your tulip bulbs at the same depth. The hole should receive the round end of the bulb and the pointy end should face you. Plant your bulbs according to the package - too deep and they won't grow, too shallow and animals will dig them up for food.

The most vibrant gardens will be the ones where the gardener used manure or compost to fill in the holes during planting, rather than just regular fill dirt. Tulip bulbs only bloom successfully when they have the things they need to grow, including one of the best ideas, nitrogen. Be gentle as you pack dirt in around the fragile bulb, but make sure the dirt is firm enough to discourage curious animals from excavating the bulbs. To put the proverbial cherry on top, sprinkle mulch over the top of the bed to lock in the moisture and keep rodents out.

Planting tulip bulbs can take some time, especially if you have a lot of them. Tulips are hardy so plant some now, and you'll have more each year.