Paperwhites are part of the Narcissus family as are daffodils. Unlike most daffodils paperwhites are very fragrant and are a popular bulb that is often forced indoors. They take between 4 and 6 weeks to grow and begin blooming.

Paperwhites don’t require much space, can be planted in tight clumps in soil or rocks, don’t like to be over watered and do not require a chilling period to re bloom next growing season. They actually are not a good outdoor bulb if you live in a frosty location and this is why so many love to force them indoors.

If you want to enjoy paperwhites but live in an area that receives snow you can plant them indoors in a pot with soil or you can decoratively position the bulbs in a nice bowl or jar with some rocks. Paperwhites can be planted in tight clusters for a pretty effect. Like I said before they don’t mind crowding.

Most people will want their paperwhites to bloom indoors during the winter which is coincidentally the time when most bulbs recharge and grow roots for the coming growth season. Forcing paperwhite bulbs indoors will take much energy from the bulbs thus making blooming the following year difficult. It often takes two to three years before the forced bulbs will re bloom again and many people will simply toss their paperwhite bulbs after forcing.

Forcing Paperwhites Indoors-

To force your paperwhite bulbs simply plant them so the bulb top is level with the soil or other chosen growing medium, lightly water and then place the planted bulbs in a cool/ dark place (45 to 55 degrees is ideal) for about 2 weeks. This allows the roots time to develop before the rapid leaf and stem growth begins. Water lightly as needed and when you see that the stems and leaves have begun to emerge from the bulb (if you planted the bulb in rocks you will also be able to see that the roots have grown) you can relocate the planted bulb to a bright/ cool room and watch the beauty unfold!

Planting Paperwhites Outdoors-

Paperwhites are winter hardy outdoors ONLY in zones 8-10 (want to find your hardiness zone?), they are not really winter hardy like daffodils and since they don’t require a chilling period the frosty weather will often do much damage to these bulbs.

If you live in a warmer area where you can plant these outdoors you should do so in the fall. Plant your paperwhites in a location that gets full sun for most of the day and plant the bulbs about 3-4inches below the soil surface. When planted outdoors in the fall they will have the winter to develop hardy root systems and will surface in the spring to bloom.

Care during the dormant period-

Deadheading the spent flowers will help the bulb preserve energy for the next growing season but do not clip the leaves. Leaves should be allowed to die back naturally and photosynthesize (this is part of the recharging process of the bulb), when the leaves are all dead (about 6 weeks after flowering) they can only then be clipped or mowed. In poor soils or when in containers a high-phosphate fertilizer applied in the spring will help the bulb recharge for the next growing season.

Growing Paperwhites as Perennials Indoors in colder climates- 
If you want your paperwhites to come back year after year they need to be grown in soil and provided with ample “food”. If you are like me and live in a colder climate consider planting your paperwhites with another bulb or plant. This way you can allow your paperwhites to grow, die back and be undisturbed until they are ready to grow again. I planted mine in a pot with anemonies and added bone meal to the soil for added nutrients.

The post Growing Narcissus- Paperwhites appeared first on Updates from Ryder Family Farm.

You should also browse the following post categories right here on Harvest of Daily Life for even more tips and tricks:

• carnival of living naturally and simply
• do it more naturally
• gardening reference
• homemade
• old-fashioned know how/ do it yourself remedies

The post Tips and tricks for the home and garden.. appeared first on Updates from Ryder Family Farm.

Since moving to a cool climate about four years ago I have taken up a bulb addiction. Actually I love bulbs, tubers, corms and just about anything that can grow, blossom, die back over winter and return with little effort the next season.

There are several types of bulbs (tubers, corms etc) that need a period of “chilling” between their flowering seasons. These bulbs are great for colder climates! Others do not require much chilling and some can even die if they are exposed to frosty conditions!

Now, since I am a bulb addict I buy anything that looks like it might be fun to grow, but of course I need to research the specific needs of the plant and do my best to give it what it needs. This section of my blog was created to help me keep track of all the stuff I have growing and the specific needs of the plants, it’s also a great informational resource for those of you who are looking to grow these plants in your own garden!

If you were wondering about the specific needs of bulbs and other plants you are in the right place! As I compile information I’ll post it here, that way I am learning for my own benefit and I am also helping others.

Here are the plants/ bulbs I have compiled information for already:

• The stunning bearded iris that is drought tolerant, winter hardy and very beautiful.
• The unique sparaxis/ harlequin flower.
• The timeless amaryllis that is best known for it’s beautiful holiday blooms.
• The grecian windflower – anemone.
• The lily of the valley that thrives in cool, shady and damp locations and is winter hardy.
• The fragrant paperwhites that do not require a chilling period and are a popular forced bulb during the winter.
• The popular calla lily that often appears in bridal bouquets and does great in moist rich soil.
• The tropical Canna Red Futurity with it’s deep burgundy leaves and love of warmth.
• The exotic looking Winston Churchill fuchsia that is summer/ fall blooming and likes some shade.

Do you have a bulb or plant you are wondering about? Leave a comment below with your question and I’ll do my best to answer it for you and provide you with more information!

You can also view my garden journal over at Dave’s Garden to learn more about the plants I have in my garden or you can use Dave’s Garden to find info on any plant you want!

The post Gardening appeared first on Updates from Ryder Family Farm.

This blog was born in January of 2005 but has since evolved quite a bit. In the beginning I was writing motivational articles and informative/ how to articles now I am known to write about almost anything that happens that could amuse, educate or support others in their own life journey. However, the future focus will likely be about how we are sustaining our family via a self sufficient farm life.

Life has dealt us some adventurous cards, that is what makes this blog such a hit. In the past we have enjoyed things like stove fires, house floods, mold growth, near death car trouble, we’ve moved cross country in an RV with 8 pets and 4 people, we’ve almost been attacked by a bear while camping. We’ve even traveled two states away to birth our children in the elusive green minded community, The Farm in Summertown, TN and shared their homebirths here on the blog (See Everly’s Birth Story: Born at The Farm and Adalyn’s Live Streamed Birth). I also had my third child, a son, in and Indiana hospital.

We are jokingly called hippies in polo shirts because we are very eco minded and sustainability focused, basically of the hippy mindset but we don’t look the part. Sustainable living is a major passion of ours and each year we inch closer and closer to living our dream. We have a zoo of pets who keep us on our toes a sprawling urban garden/ homestead in the middle of Evansville, Indiana, backyard chickens, turkeys and we have many more adventures to endure as we inch toward our ideal lifestyle, one homesteading undertaking at a time. One day, someday, we’ll have our own farm. We are farm bound now!

Thank you for visiting my blog and learning more about me! I hope you will bookmark this page or consider subscribing to my feed so you can stay in the know about new posts and adventures.

I try to post often and I really look forward to getting to know my readers through the comments they leave me. If you need to contact me leave a comment or email me with the info below and I’ll do my best to respond. I hope you found what you were looking for today and that you return soon. Have a great day!

This is a PR friendly blog | Site Map | Ways you can support the blog |

The post About Talina appeared first on Updates from Ryder Family Farm.