Tulips are very easy to plant and tend. Having evolved in rocky, barren soil and hot, arid weather, they really won't need that much attention when it comes to watering the garden.
Still, it would help to grow in moist soil when you first plan them onto your garden.
Tulips do need occasional sips of water. Even though they are planted in the fall season, watering them would help them grow come winter. As the bulb is buried under the soil, it starts to store sugar and nutrients for its winter supplies. The bulb also grows dense roots that will help them considerably when the time for spring and growth arrives.
Try to lightly pack the bulb into the soil. If there is no soil touching the side of the bulb, nutrients and energy cannot be absorbed. Water is a big help in situations like these. Water gets rid of any air pockets that may exist underground. Water also acts as a conduit for nutrients to travel through from the soil to the bulb. Because roots absorb water, any nutrients carried along by the water will also be absorbed by the bulb.
Using loamy soil to plant with tulips may be the best solution to minimizing gaps of air. Also, too much water or moisture can be unhealthy for a tulip. Tulips originally grew in dry, dusty climates. Using soil with good drain properties will help the tulip along.
If the soil contains too much clay, the water retention properties of the soil increase. If your soil quality is too sandy, the soil won't be able to retain water. Sandy soil would work if you are growing orchids.
It's pretty easy to adjust the water retention rates of soil. If your soil is too dry, add in some clay-like soil and mix them well together. Do not use clay pots as this is not exactly soil. On the other hand, if you have too much water retention for your tulips, pour little quantities of sand around the base of the tulip. This will also help keep pests away.
To save yourself time, you can buy commercial garden soil. Garden soil is a mix of soil and moss. This combination will work just fine for your tulip garden.
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