Sensational Spring Bulbs
Bulbs are a wonderful way to give your garden a face lift after a long winter. They spring up just as the weather is changing from cold to warm, no other group of plants can provide such a display of colour with such ease. Most planted bulbs improve with age and require very little care.
Bulbs can be planted from the end of January, through to Autumn. By planting continuously through this period, you will be rewarded with a continuous floral display.
What to plant when
Early season (Jan - March)...
Anemones, Ranunculus, Daffodils, Earlicheer.
Mid Season (Feb - April)...
Daffodils, Freesias, Iris, Bluebells, Crocus, Grape Hyacinths, Lachenalias, Sparaxis, Tulips.
Late season (March - early June)...
Tulips and hyacinths. Also all of the mid season bulbs can be planted at this time.
Getting your planting right
Soil and food requirements
Good drainage is the paramount soil requirement. Use Groganic to improve soil drainage and nutrient holding capacity. Use Rose Food or Citrus Food to encourage blooms. If bulbs are being grown in pots, use Terracotta & Tubn Potting Mix for best results. Remember that pots dry out rapidly, and they may need to be watered frequently if the season is dry.
So you do not lose your bulbs in the garden it can often help to plant them in a bulb tray, simply sink this into the garden twice the depth
Diferent bulbs for diferent positions
The following are successful in a full sun position: Anemones, Allium, Brodiaea, Freesia, Hyacinth, Ranunculus, Iris, Lachenalia, Sparaxis, and Daffodils.
The following are successful in a shady position: Anemones, Crocus, Hyacinth, Lachenalia, Scilla, and Tulips.
Planting
Once you have established a free draining, fertile soil, checked the light requirements, and the time is right, bulbs can be planted. The general rule for planting depth is twice the diameter of the bulb. In heavier soils, plant the bulbs closer to the surface. See the planting guide below for more info. It is a good idea to mark where bulbs have been planted.
Bulb Pests
Slugs and Snails are the main pest of bulbs. Bulbs especially need protection when the leaves are just emerging from the ground. Use a slug and snail bait to control this problem.
After Flowering
Lift and store, bulbs should be left alone in the garden until their leaves have died off. Bulbs draw the nutrients from the leaves and store it in the bulb for next season. Removing leaves too early results in poor quality plants and flowers. Bulbs can be left in the ground for many years, and don?t need to be lifted unless they become overcrowded. Tulips need to be lifted and should be stored in the fridge for about two months. All bulbs should be stored in a dark, dry, cool place.
Growing bulbs in pots
Good potting mix is essential to grow bulbs in pots. Plants Plus Terracotta & Tub Potting Mix supplemented with a small application of bulb food, or a specially formulated bulb potting mix would be ideal. Smaller growing bulbs are fantastic in shallow bowls or troughs, however the larger growing bulbs like tulips or daffodils need to be in a deep containers. In order to get a longer flowering period out of your pots, plant the bulbs at varying depths. The bulbs planted deeper will emerge later, and therefore flower later than the bulbs planted at a shallow depth, extending the flowering period.
Hyacinths can be grown in Hyacinth glasses. Choose a large, healthy bulb and store it in a cool place. In April or May when temperatures begin to drop, fill the Hyacinth glass with water so that the base of the bulb does not make contact with the water. Place in a cool, dark, well ventilated position, checking the water level regularly. After 6-8 weeks the roots should have filled the glass, and the bulb is beginning to grow. Place in a cool room in you house, and watch the flower grow and colour up. After flowering, the bulb can be planted in the garden.