Tips and tricks for planting bulbs
With the festive season over, many of us will soon be turning to our gardens for the next flowering season. You may think January is a little early to begin considering planting anything, but now is the perfect time to start nurturing bulbs ready for flowering.
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Why should you grow from bulbs?
Choosing to grow flowers from bulbs can provide you with many great colour varieties. It also gives much more control over how your garden looks and where you can plant flowers. Bulbs can be planted in many containers and borders.
Besides that, they are surprisingly easy to grow and the end results can be very rewarding. If you like a spectacular display of colours and flowers in your garden, bulbs are a great choice. They don’t require all that much effort either to achieve stunning results.
You can also get flowers throughout the year depending on which variety you plant. From tulips in the spring, gladiolas in the summer to nerines in the autumn, your garden can bloom and blossom throughout the year!
The only snag is you need to get the timing exactly right for planting. Otherwise, your bulbs may not flower. Getting the timing right for planting your bulbs can give your garden some cheerful and colourful blooms.
The best time for planting bulbs
Knowing when to plant your bulbs is arguably the most difficult factor, especially for those new to gardening. Depending on when the bulbs bloom will also determine when they should be planted.
Spring flowering bulbs
Spring flowering bulbs are one of the most popular and versatile. Many flowers bloom from spring bulbs, including tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, and crocus. With the bright colours, spring flowers can be a much welcomed sight after a gloomy winter.
Spring bulbs flower from March to May. Depending on how late in the season you want the bulbs to grow will depend on how early or late you plant them. For flowering in March, consider planting spring bulbs in September. For flowering in May, consider planting in October.
Planting location can also make a difference in how well the flowers bloom. Spring bulbs should ideally be placed in a spot exposed to sunlight, with fast drainage. Otherwise, the bulbs won’t receive the energy necessary for growing or may become exposed to rot.
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Summer flowering bulbs
If you’ve missed the season for planting spring flowering bulbs, there are still plenty of summer flowering bulbs you get cracking with. Even if your garden has limited space, planting bulbs takes very little room and can add a nice touch to the smallest of spaces.
Like spring flowering bulbs, there are plenty of summer flowering bulbs that provide colourful and exciting plant varieties. Summer flowering bulbs should be planted during the spring, between March and May, to achieve blooms throughout June to September.
Some summer flowering bulbs you can consider adding to your garden include purple Alliums, pink Lilies, orange Begonias, red Crocosmia, white Dahlias, and brightly coloured Gladiolas. However, these bulbs cannot cope with cold temperatures, so try not to be premature with your planting.
Autumn and winter flowering bulbs
Even though the summer is over, you can still enjoy flowers blooming in your garden. Just because the leaves start falling off the trees doesn’t mean the gardening season is over. Despite the shorter days and perennial flowers starting to disappear, autumn flowering bulbs fill their gaps.
Autumn, and especially winter flowering bulbs, are able to withstand the colder weather and survive even though the days slowly become shorter. Autumn flowering bulbs should be planted during the summer. The earlier you plant them, the earlier they flower in the autumn.
Winter flowering bulbs should be planted during the autumn, ideally between October and November. That way, your plants can bloom and provide a much welcome sight in a wintery garden. Here are some autumn and winter flowering bulbs to consider:
- - Crocus (autumn)
- - Nerine (autumn)
- - Dahlia (autumn)
- - Sternbergia (autumn)
- - Gladiolus (autumn)
- - Begonia (autumn)
- - Cyclamen hederifolium (autumn)
- - Cyclamen coum (winter)
- - Snowdrops (winter)
- - Winter aconite (winter)
Tips for planting bulbs
Now that we’ve covered the different seasonal flowering bulbs, it’s time to dig in planting. To help you get the most out of your bulbs, we’ve covered some tips for achieving a blooming display for your garden!
Check the bulbs are healthy
Bulbs require very little attention and can be left dormant for long periods. However, bulbs are not resistant to disease and other conditions that can affect plants. Any bulbs that are not healthy should be left alone, otherwise, it can lead to diseases spreading to other plants.
Bulbs that feel soft, damaged, or shrivelled are all bad signs. Bulbs with any of these conditions should be avoided if buying or thrown away if stored at home. That way, your flowers stand a much better chance of being blooming awesome! Picking healthy plants is essential for a great looking garden display.
Planting in pots
The great thing about bulbs is you can plant them nearly anywhere, providing the conditions are right. Planting bulbs in pots is a very popular way to grow bulbs, especially where space may be tight in your garden. Bulbs should be spaced roughly 2-3 bulbs apart from each other.
However, bulbs planted in pots need some extra TLC to ensure they grow well. Firstly, you want to make sure you choose a suitable container that is large enough and compliments the colour. Secondly, pots with a drainage hole will need slightly covering. A broken piece of pot should fit right.
Then, fill your pot with general gardening soil and compost. Also, consider adding some horticultural grit to improve drainage. Follow the guidance on your bulbs, planting with the tip just barely visible from the surface. Once planted, don’t forget to water. You could create a wall gallery using plant pots.
Planting depth
One of the biggest factors in helping your bulbs grow success is planting them at the right depth. Generally, planting bulbs at a depth of around 3 times their own height is a good practice. If you are buying bulbs from a store, the packet should state how deep to plant your bulbs.
Sunlight and Shade
When planting bulbs, you should always consider the planting location. Hardy bulbs prefer an area in direct sunlight, whereas other bulbs prefer growing in some shade. Woodland-type flowers prefer a spot planted underneath a tree or in the shade.
Name the bulbs
This one may seem like an obvious tip, but it is still worth pointing out. Most bulbs will look the same, making it very difficult to tell them apart. That’s why it’s always important to label the bags that you store bulbs in alongside labelling where you’ve planted each type of bulb. That way you won’t forget.
Which way up?
Another important factor to consider when planting bulbs is which way up they go. Sometimes it can be hard to spot which way is the right way up. If your bulb has a pointy side, that should face upwards when planting. Otherwise, look for the end where the roots come out and plant this side downwards.
Watering and soaking
Unless rain is forecasted (which it usually is!), you should always water your bulbs straight after planting. Another question many ask is whether bulbs need soaking beforehand. Unless you are very late planting, you do not need to soak bulbs before planting.
Protection
Once you’ve planted your bulbs into the garden, they become exposed to a number of threats that can ruin your effort. Anything from wildlife to a hard frost can just about finish off your bulbs, even before they’ve started sprouting.
Always make sure you lightly cover your bulbs with a top layer of soil after planting. Not only does this help them to grow, but it also stops animals from finding them. Also, if you’re planting bulbs during the cold winter months, cover your bulbs using fleece material to keep them safe.
Planting bulbs in your garden is a great way to add something different and colourful. Whatever the season, there are plenty of bulbs you can plant to keep your garden looking good. Following the tips we’ve provided above will stand you in a good position for a blooming wonderful display! Happy gardening!