As the red and gold leaves of autumn fall, the landscape becomes gray and colorless. It's no wonder so many people fall prey to depression from a deficiency of sunlight in the winter. But, there's one way you can lift your spirits and add color during the long, cold and dark days and nights ahead. Forcing spring bulbs into an early bloom can create an indoor garden, complete with beautiful color and delightful fragrance. All it takes is a little planning...

Most garden centers are full of spring bulbs in the early fall, but even in November it may not be too late to get spring favorites. Daffodils, narcissus, tulips, crocus, and hyacinth are perennials that can be tricked into blooming indoors.

When purchasing your bulbs, inspect them carefully. Make sure they are solid, not mushy, and show no signs of mold. They should not be dried out or shriveled, but hard and green under their thin, paper-like skin.

Most spring bulbs need at least 12 weeks of cold temperatures before blooming. Usually planted under the earth's surface, a blanket of dirt protects them from freezing completely, even under inches of snow. This winter's sleep is what you want to replicate.

The easiest way to do this is to put your bulbs in an open bag in your refrigerator. The best place is in one of the drawers in the refrigerator usually reserved for your vegetables. Above all, do not put your bulbs in the freezer. The goal here is to chill the bulbs.

After approximately 12 weeks, take the bulbs out of the refrigerator and pot them up in a beautiful container. Make sure your pot or container has plenty of drainage holes in the bottom to allow for proper drainage. The biggest killer of bulbs is the rot which results from them sitting in water and becoming mushy.

Use the proper depth of planting (usually shown on the bulb's packaging label). Place the container in a sunny spot or under a lamp to replicate the early light of spring.

Be patient. Bulbs take time to bloom. Enjoy watching the first green leaves and stalks as they appear. It's exciting to see the newly formed buds and the eventual bloom, especially when it's snowy outside.

Some bulbs may be placed in shallow dishes in a bed of rocks. When watering, just a level of water that reaches the root of the bulb is sufficient. Also, a ribbon or twist tie comes in handy for tying the stems of your plants together as they get heavy with blooms and begin to lean.

For the best indoor show, take out your calendar and plan a staggered blooming season. Start now and expect blooms at the end of January. Start next week and get blooms at the beginning of February, and so on.

If you want indoor blooms sooner, you can purchase already chilled bulbs. You can purchase separate bulbs or pre-packaged ones. Simply, follow the planting instructions here or on the package.

Lastly, don't forget to feed your new friends. Either a time-released fertilizer, such as Osmocote, or a liquid soluble one, such as Miracle Grow, will ensure your plants are healthy and give you the longest lasting blooms.