Paperwhite Narcissus bulb kits are sold this time of year, but it’s really easy to make your own –and so much cheaper!  You can make a kit of your own or assemble it yourself before you present it to teachers, friends, and relatives.  Here’s how:

Buy a large bag of bulbs at your big box home improvement store along with a small bag of potting soil or decorative pebbles.  Look for shallow vases at craft stores and dollar stores.  Clear shallow bowl-type vases work well because you’ll be able to see the roots grow too.  Look for them at craft stores such as Michaels or Hobby Lobby.  On top of a small amount of potting soil or decorative pebbles layer bulbs inside.  Don’t be stingy – crowd them close together leaving the tips exposed.  They’ll bloom in 2-3 weeks producing a fragrant aroma.

I’ve been told that if the narcissus plants get too leggy, you can add a little rubbing alcohol in with the water to stunt their growth.

Photo Credit:  Jake DeVott

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