It’s not too early to start planting - indoors that is. Start cannas, dahlias or other non-hardy bulbs indoors for bigger transplants and earlier bloom in the garden.

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Retrieve the rhizomes, tubers or corms you may have stored for winter or purchase new ones from your favorite garden center, catalogue or on-line.

This is also the perfect time to divide large clumps that grew and multiplied last season. Be sure to leave several growing points, often called eyes, with each division.

Next fill a flat, or pot with a well-drained potting mix. Lay the rhizomes of cannas and tuberous roots of dahlias on their side. Corms and tuberous stems are set flat on the potting mix with the root plate facing down. Cover with soil.

Once you’re done planting, move the transplants to a warm sunny location and water thoroughly as needed, Fertilize once the leaves appear and be sure to harden off the plants before moving them outdoors.

A bit more information: Wait for the danger of frost to pass and start planting gladiola corms directly in the garden. Plant the corms in full sun and well-drained soil 2 to 3 times their vertical height deep. Plant a portion of the corms every two weeks or use varieties with different maturity dates to extend bloom time.