How to Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs
Autumn is the season to find contentment at home by paying attention to what we already have. Perfect for hibernation, staying indoors and looking out at the golden gardens filled with falling leaves. However if we want to enjoy a colourful spring, now is the time to get to work as nothing announces the end of winter like the blossoming of the Spring Flowers.
The most popular spring bulbs are tulips, hyacinth, crocus and daffodils. Each strand has ideal growing times and blossoming times but in general the best time to plant is between September and November.
The Basics-How to Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs
At its most basic planting a bulb simply consists
- Digging a hole at the proper depth.
- Placing the bulb in the hole pointy side up
- Then burying.
- Water it when your done.
Yes it really is that simple. Many non gardeners may think its some kind of witchcraft and yes there are strategies with soil, sun light and position but at it’s core those are the basics. If you are just starting out, get out and explore the soil and give this a go. If you don’t master it this year, when the leaves starting falling again, you can raise your game a little further.
The Next Level
However to try and get year one off to a flyer, read the instructions carefully on each pack. In our product descriptions online, you’ll see for instance something like this;
Site: Best grown in a tunnel or glasshouse
Position: Sun or partial shade
Soils: Moist to dryish, humus-rich soil
Planting Period: September to November
Flowering Period: late Spring
Planting: Depth 2″ (5cm) Spacing 4” (10 cm)
Height: 1ft” (30cm)
These will give you a good guide on what to do. Spacing of the bulbs is important not just for growth but for patterns you wish to see.
An efficient way to plant a cluster or a formal design is to till up the entire area of soil to be planted using a spading fork. Then lay out the bulbs on the soil surface in the desired pattern. Dig them in where they sit so you won’t lose track of any design you plant with loose freshly tilled soil. It’s easiest to dig bulbs in with a trowel.
If you plant naturalizing bulbs bulbs that come back every year such as daffodils, crocus or grape hyacinth, plant them where they will get plenty of sun that way they’ll return stronger each spring. A really good strategy is to put these naturalizing bulbs such as muscaris, crocuses and irises around perennials such as tulips, and lilies. This is because the perennials will conceal the bulb foliage as it dies back each autumn.
If you would like to learn more or need any help, call into our garden centre and a member of our team will be happy to assist you.
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