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Q: I have a small field of daffodils that don’t bloom very well. Some are beautiful and some don’t bloom at all. What can I do?

• Stephen from Campbell

A: There are many reasons bulbs can have issues with blooming. Saying that, daffodils are one of the best performers we have. In addition to being deer-resistant, they have few diseases and are relatively carefree. What a great plant!

The main frustration I hear from gardeners in regards to daffodils is the “ugly” foliage in early summer after they bloom. Because this foliage is not as pretty as the rest of the garden that time of year, many tend to cut the foliage back, tie it in knots close to the ground, or simply mow it off when daffodils are growing in a field setting.

If you have this frustration, you should be interplanting daffodils with taller perennials or behind small, deciduous shrubs in the landscape. This will give the flowers time to show off but be concealed when the foliage is less desirable.

In general, leave the foliage alone for at least six weeks after blooms fade. The foliage helps feed the bulbs for next year’s flowers.

If daffodils show sporadic, healthy blooms, the issue is most likely overcrowding of the bulbs. Some say these flowers need divided every two years, but most of us only do it as needed. For a continuous supply of new bulbs to spread around the garden and share with others, digging them up every five years or so will do.

Divide after foliage turns brown. Bulbs can be replanted as soon as they are dug.

There are some disease issues, although most of the issue is planting location.

Site location issues include too much shade and lack of adequate drainage. Check your site and move your bulbs as needed.

Soil and fertilization is the other main issue. Besides the issues of wetness in clay soil, good fertility goes a long way. While some daffodils may grow no matter what, many of them need a simple feeding every couple of years.

Don’t over-fertilize with nitrogen, as this can lead to diseases and / or lots of foliage with no blooms. Provide a complete fertilizer with a lower nitrogen number (i.e., 5-10-10 or 6-24-24).

For each 100-square-foot section, 2-3 pounds of this type of fertilizer every few years will do just fine.

The American Daffodil Society provides the best summary of why bulbs might not be performing as well as you need. To see this, go to: http://go.osu.edu/daffodilblooms .

Eric Barrett is OSU Extension educator for agriculture and natural resources in Mahoning County. The Plant and Pest Clinic is open 9 a.m. to noon Mondays and Wednesdays for help with plant issues, soil testing and insect identification, Mondays and Wednesdays. Questions be submitted at any time. For details, visit go.osu.edu/mahoningclinic.