Planting in Advance for a Beautiful Spring/Summer Garden!

As the leaves are turning golden and the temperatures are dropping, you may think that your days in the garden for this year are coming to an end, but actually, October is the ideal month to get your bulbs in the ground!

Planting your spring/summer bulbs now will allow plenty of time for them to establish strong roots before the cold winter frosts set in.

Read our handy blog below for top tips on planting your bulbs.

Choose the right bulbs

Although spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils, crocus, and hyacinths should typically be planted by the end of September, if you get them in now – we won’t tell anyone! For a stunning tulip display inspired by the Netherlands, you should aim to plant your bulbs in November.

To keep your garden colourful year-round, don’t forget to layer up your bulbs, and plant hardy summer-flowering bulbs including lilies, alliums and crocosmia now too.

When buying your bulbs, give them a gentle squeeze to make sure they aren’t soft and have no signs of mould. At Daisy Clough Nurseries, we are careful to store our bulbs well, and only pick the best out for our customers – so hopefully we can save you this step.

Pick the perfect spot

Most bulbs prefer a sunny location with well-drained soil. Avoid planting them in areas that become waterlogged and are sheltered by other larger plants such as shrubs and trees, as the damp and dark may cause your bulbs to rot. If the soil in your flower beds is heavy, consider adding some sand or grit to improve drainage.

Top tip!

Why not plant your bulbs in some pots and containers? If you use smaller, plastic pots, for example – they are easy to move around your garden to get the most sun – and you can arrange them in any way you like.

Pots and containers are also great for drainage – just ensure there are holes in the bottom, and add perlite to the soil to aerate the soil. If you have broken terracotta pots in your shed – now is the perfect time to (gently) smash them and add them to the bottom of your pots to further improve drainage. For smaller pots, you can also scrunch newspaper and add it to the bottom to prevent soil from being washed out, whilst still allowing more drainage for your bulbs. Just remember, pots may need more watering than in the ground – so make sure to keep an eye on them.

Plant at the right depth

Bulbs need plenty of space to grow. Typically it is recommended to give them two to three times their depth and space them a minimum of twice their width apart. For example, for a Tulip bulb measuring around 12cm, a 14cm-26cm deep hole should be dug, and the bulb should sit in the bottom, with the shoot pointing upwards.

Top tip!

If you struggle with digging holes with a trowel, a long-handled bulb planter is a great alternative. No bending or kneeling needed, simply push the tool into your soil, twisting back and forth until you reach the required depth. Remove the planter and plop the bulb into the bottom of the hole. Cover the bulb and you’re good to go!

Add a layer of mulch

Adding a layer of mulch or bark over the top of your bulbs can help to protect them from extreme cold and retain some moisture in the soil. Mulching can also suppress and prevent weeds, giving your bulbs the best possible start, and saving you time and energy weeding.

Feed the bulbs

To ensure you get the most beautiful blooms, and encourage perfect flowering for years to come, feed your bulbs every week or so as soon as the shoots appear through the ground.

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At Daisy Clough Nurseries, we have a wide selection of high-quality bulbs ready for planting this Autumn, as well as all the tools you’ll need to get you started.

Still unsure where to start? Our expert team are always on hand and happy to help with any of your queries – pop in today for a chat, and get your garden spring-ready!