"Will Renkel" wrote in message
...

I have some hyacinth and crocus bulbs planted in a bed that is covered by
wood chip mulch.
The bulbs do produce leaves and small flowers, but nothing like they
should.
Is the mulch inhibiting the flower production?

Zone 5

Thanx

Mulch won't DIRECTLY cause problems with flowering, unless you're dealing
with a plant that really insists on dry soil. So always check the usual
suspects first.

1) Soil test: Buy a kit and do it yourself, or take some samples to your
state cooperative extension service, who will probably do it dirt cheap.
Although bulbs aren't usually VERY fussy, it's always possible that the soil
is really out of whack, in terms of either pH or nutrients. Anything you add
to the soil can affect pH, and mulches are no exception.

2) What was the consistency of the soil to begin with? Nice? Too much clay?
What your soil like 12 hours, and a couple of days after good rain soaking?

3) How long have the bulbs been in the ground?

4) How long has the planting area been used? If it was a new garden when you
planted it, how did you prepare the soil?