Tips for growing vegetables in indoor containers during winter or summer.

If the ground is warm enough for planting in your area then by all means plant them outside but otherwise keep them growing in the pot as long as you can.

The number of bulbs to plant per pot depends on the size of the container.

Animals are less likely to disturb tulips planted in containers than those planted in the ground. Choose varieties that are recommended for forcing or container-growing from seed catalogs and nurseries. However, when growing indoors, you can try to plant garlic anytime in the year. If you want your plant to bloom in the spring, start plants in late summer or early fall and allow foliage to grow during the winter, either outdoors in warm-winter areas -- USDA zones 8 through 10 -- or indoors if live in USDA zone 7 or below, where there are cold winter temperatures. You can plant your bulbs in pots or containers filled with potting soil or gravel, or try using eggshells, which can be planted directly into the garden after flowering. planting out of season, can use decorative marbles, best for paperwhites Grow bulbs faster than normal! How to Plant Bulbs in Pots. Like making jam, planting indoor bulbs can feel like a chore, but you'll be glad you made the effort. In warm climates (zones 8-11) with hot, dry summers, paperwhite bulbs can be planted outside where they will bloom annually for many years. Wash used pots or saucers with hot, soapy water and rinse well. Which vegetables do best and how to care for them. Plant amaryllis and paperwhites! Indoors for Winter Bloom. Forcing bulbs indoors is one of the best things to do in December to liven those monochromatic winter months. Potting up bulbs and storing them in an unheated space mimics inground planting, and the flowers will emerge in midspring. You can extend the bloom period by planting separate containers with varieties that have various bloom dates (early, mid-, and late season). Fill the container with soil to about 3 to 4 inches below the rim of the container. Choosing a Container and Spacing. The pot needs to be only 2 inches wider than the bulb so that when it is planted there is only an inch of soil between the bulb and the edge of the pot. Growing bulbs indoors supplies spring color before winter's end. To prolong the blooms, keep the pot away from heat and direct sunlight. An 8-inch-diameter bulb pan, for instance, is typically about 4 inches tall. The bleak December winds and days of incessant rain drive even the hardiest gardener inside. Plant bulbs in layers in deeper containers, with large bulbs deeper and small bulbs closer to the surface.