Planting

How To Plant Bulbs Ready For Spring

When is the best time to plant bulbs?

When it comes to planting bulbs, from September to December is the best time to do it. This is so that they can produce strong roots before winter and your garden can blossom come springtime.

If you notice any gaps in your garden throughout the year, choose bulbs that will appear and give colour when your garden is at its barest.

Spring-flowering bulbs, such as daffodils, crocus and hyacinths, should be planted by the end of September. We recommend that hardy summer-flowering bulbs, such as lilies, alliums and crocosmia, be planted in September and October, whereas tulips can wait until November.

Top tips

  • Spring bulbs are a great way of providing early nectar for pollinating insects.
  • Daffodils are one of the easiest bulbs to grow and they’ll reward you with beautiful flowers every spring.
  • Always remember to wear gardening gloves when handling bulbs.
  1. Choosing where to plant

    First, choose whether you want to plant your bulbs in a border or in plant pots and containers. To create an impressive display, a perfect border needs 25 to 50 bulbs. When planting bulbs in borders it’s best to plant a cluster of around 6 at a time, making a hole for each bulb. For a more natural look, try planting bulbs in irregular shaped areas, varying the spaces between the clusters. If you're planting containers, ensure that your chosen plant pot has a few drainage holes in the base - this will help to prevent your bulbs from becoming waterlogged. Larger pots are often best, as you can fit plenty of bulbs in the same container. Your bulbs can be positioned just a bulb's width apart from each other, creating a beautiful display when they come into bloom in the spring.
  2. hand trowel to dig a hole for each bulb, place the bulbs in the holes with their ‘nose’, or shoot facing upwards, replace the soil and gently firm it down. The same rules apply when planting bulbs in a container. Fill the base of your container with a 10-12cm layer of compost before placing your bulbs on the surface. The pointed side should face upwards. Then, you can cover the bulbs with another compost layer." tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"/>

    Planting your bulbs

    First, work out the correct planting depth by measuring the bulbs from base to tip, and then calculate double or triple this measurement – for example, a 6cm bulb should be planted at 12-18 cm deep. Now use a hand trowel to dig a hole for each bulb, place the bulbs in the holes with their ‘nose’, or shoot facing upwards, replace the soil and gently firm it down. The same rules apply when planting bulbs in a container. Fill the base of your container with a 10-12cm layer of compost before placing your bulbs on the surface. The pointed side should face upwards. Then, you can cover the bulbs with another compost layer.
  3. watering can or hose pipe, keeping the soil moist for the first few weeks. When springtime arrives, you'll start to notice shoots appearing. Continue to water the shoots regularly, taking care not to waterlog the soil. If it's a wet spring, you may find that you don't need to water your bulbs often, as they prefer damp soil with good drainage. " tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"/>

    Water your bulbs

    Water the area using a watering can or hose pipe, keeping the soil moist for the first few weeks. When springtime arrives, you'll start to notice shoots appearing. Continue to water the shoots regularly, taking care not to waterlog the soil. If it's a wet spring, you may find that you don't need to water your bulbs often, as they prefer damp soil with good drainage.


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