It's always useful to get the most of your planting area and to maximize the available space. It often means you have to think about the planting methods and a way to plant as many plants as possible on the area you are given without hurting the plants or preventing their healthy growth.

When it comes to bulbs, one technique to save the space and maximize its potential is to make a "bulb sandwich".

What is a Bulb Sandwich?

Simply put, it means to plant bulbs of different varieties on top of each other. It's important to choose varieties according to their different bloom times. One of the best combination includes crocuses, tulips and daffodils. When the spring comes and they start to bloom, you will have sequential waves of flowers in the same spot.

First, you should plant crocuses since they are early bloomers. As they fade, they will be followed by fresh tulips a couple of weeks later. Finally, after tulips fade, you will get daffodils. Each plant's new growth will camouflage the wilting flowers and leaves of its predecessors, so you will never get a sad or messy looking garden.

This is a great way to get more space. For example, a 12 inch diameter planting area can accommodate about 7 to 9 daffodil bulbs, 9 to 12 tulip bulbs and 12 to 15 crocus bulbs.

How to Make a Bulb Sandwich

To make a "bulb sandwich", follow these simple instructions:

1. Dig a hole about 10 inches deep. The size and shape is not important. This is where you'll put 7 to 9 daffodil bulbs.
2. Before you put the bulbs in the soil, mix a tablespoon of an 8-8-8 fertilizer with the soil in the hole. Make sure that the soil at the bottom is loose.
3. Gently twist the hairy, broader root end of each bulb into the dirt. This will help it establish a good contact. Make sure that the pointy end faces up.
4. Make sure to space the bulbs so they don't touch one another. Overcrowding will stop them from blooming.
5. Cover these deep bulbs with 4 to 5 inches of soil.
6. On the new level, you should plant 9 to 12 tulip bulbs. They do best when planted 5 to 6 inches below the surface, which should be the current depth of the hole.
7. After you planted tulip bulbs, cover them with another 2 or 3 inches of the soil so the hole is about 2-3 inches deep.
8. Plant 12 to 15 crocus bulbs.
9. Fill the hole to the top with more soil and soak the whole area with water.
10. Keep it moist throughout the fall, but leave it dry during winter, until spring.

This method will give you about 4 to 6 weeks of blooms in the spring.

Photo credit: Barry