#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, lovelyand easy to growas long as you know a few basic rules about them.

The first thing to know is thatyou 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 wildthey usually grow near creeks, rivers, and ponds. This is a clue to how they wantto betreated in the garden. They will multiply if they like youand they are great for planting beneath deciduous trees.

It is impossible to feel depressed when looking at agreat 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 orcoralor sort of peachy,but definitely not pink.Be not deceived!

For prairie gardeners, it's also important torecognize that generallyspeaking, the shorter the daffodil, the hardier it is.

Tiny cultivars such as Ice Folliesand Minnoware cute in rock gardens or along pathways and areusually pretty reliable.Great big giant daffodils like King AlfredandDutch Masterare certainly worth trying, but not foolproof. Fortunately daffodils are veryinexpensive and youcan 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.

Forbest effect, daffodils should not be planted singly hither and yon. Mass them! Plant them in glorious, heavingdrifts! It is impossible to feel depressed when looking at agreat 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, irisand 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 @CBCSaskor Facebookand use the hashtags #YouShouldGrowThis and #YouShouldDoThis.