Plant Some Bulbs
I just got back from the supermarket (the one that rhymes with Bainsbury’s) clutching a massive box of bulbs for under a tenner.
They are meant to be planted in March/April, so I must crack on.
As I do it, I invite you to join me.
Nothing brightens up your future outdoor space better than beautiful flowering bulbs.
Some great ones to plant in April for a Summer display are tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and crocuses (croci?), which will make your garden or window box look and smell incredible.
5 Top Tips
1. Design it.
It’s tempting to go berserk and plant everything everywhere, but take a second and think about the colours and shapes you like.
Maybe you want an outrageous riot of colour over the summer months, or perhaps you’d rather have different flowers popping up at different times of the year.
If you haven’t done it before, planting bulbs is actually pretty straightforward – even for a total novice, and the label will tell you all you need to know (things like when to do it, when to expect your blooms, how deep that particular sort should go).
Don’t be scared to mix and match different types of bulbs for a dramatic/whimsical display.
For example, you can plant tulips and daffodils together for a classic combination, or try something more exotic like alliums and fritillaries (look them up, they’re awesome).
The people in the garden centre would love to help you with this.
It’s their time to shine – watch how happy they are when you ask. It’s a beautiful thing.
We’re planting some in big colourful trugs from Ikea this year, so we can move them about depending on our whim.
I’ll be honest – I mostly like masses of random wild meadow-looking flowers to skip through. Other people are less chaotic than me and prefer more structure. You do you, boo.
2. Get the soil ready.
If you want your bulbs to seriously thrive, you need to give them well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter (e.g., compost or ‘orse poo). If your soil is heavy or clay-ey, you can improve it by adding some compost or grit.
Again, the lady or man at the garden centre is your friend here. Generally, you dig a hole about twice as deep as the height of the bulb and loosen the soil at the bottom by jigging it with your rake/hoe/spade.
You can also add some slow-release fertiliser or bone meal to boost the nutrients.
That’s next-level bulb care; you shall be rewarded.
3. Time to Plant.
Make sure you put the bulbs in the hole with the pointed end facing up and the roots facing down.
Trust me. I messed this up once. Roots down. Space them about two to three times their width apart, depending on how dense you want them to look.
Cover them with soil and gently firm it down. Give it all a really good water to settle the soil and help the roots get going.
4. Look after them.
Bulbs don’t need much maintenance once they are planted.
You can do a few things, though, that will help them thrive:
- Keep the soil moist but not soggy, especially during dry spells.
- Remove any weeds because they compete with baby bulbs for water and nutrients.
- Deadhead (pick off) the faded flowers. This will encourage more blooms to grow.
- Leave the foliage (green bits) intact until it all turns yellow and dies back naturally – this will help the bulb store energy for next year. Clever.
5. Enjoy it all.
It won’t be long before you can stand back and admire your efforts.
You created something that looks and smells great; the bees and butterflies will love it.
You’ve made magic.
You’ll probably get a little bit addicted.
You can cut some for indoor arrangements (see Spring wreath), but leave some in the ground for the bees and other pollinators.
AND – BONUS – Bulbs are perennial plants that will return year after year, so you can look forward to seeing them again next season.
When I found that out, it felt very life-hack-ey, I was a town mouse, don’t judge me.
Future-you is going to be patting today-you on the back for years.
Here’s hoping this will encourage you (and others in the house) to spend more time outside.