Planting Autumn Bulbs

After a long cold dark winter, the appearance of the first blooms of spring are like an elixir of rejuvenation, awakening spirits weary from the wintertime chill. From tiny delicate snowdrops and bluebells, to swathes of daffodils and tulips, thick sweeping brush stokes of yellow, red, orange, these are the vanguard, the first flowers ahead of the profusion of glorious blooms that follow from late spring through summer.

Right now, spring may seem like a very long way away, but its during the preceding autumn when you should be planting bulbs if you want a floral spectacular next spring.

In the Garden
Spring flowering bulbs can brighten the most dismal of spots in the garden, though you will need to consider that the light requirements of the plant are correct for the location. Also when planning your planting, think in terms of blocks of colour and sweeps of flowers, this will look spectacular in springtime. Think too about how colours work together, and complement each other. Some basic understanding of colour theory will help you immensely with understanding how to use colour to its best effect.

You will also need to make sure that you know how to plant correctly. An autumn planted bulb needs to be planted deeply, three times the depth of the bulb is a good guide. A tulip for example will need to be planted about 8" or 20cm deep. This ensures that the bulb is safe from hungry rodents, and has a good supply of moisture.

If you have a high clay soil, then add some grit and organic matter such as compost. If the bulb is going to remain put for more than a single season, then it is a good idea to add fertilizer when planting too, or simply use a specially formulated bulb compost such as Miracle-Gro Eco Sense Bulb Booster which has been specially formulated to nourish bulbs and encourage vigorous root growth.

Finally, water well, which will help the bulb to root before it gets too cold, but be careful not to over-water as this will cause rot.

In the Container
Bulbs in containers are extremely versatile, they can be moved around and put in spots for a welcoming splash of colour. How wonderful for example, to come home after a long commute to planters full of glorious purple hyacinths or cheery yellow Narcissus framing the front door , a sight to lift away the stress of a hard day's work. All it takes is autumn planning and preparation. Fill the container with compost, and as for planting in the garden, a special purpose bulb compost is perfect as it contains all the specific nutrients for bulb growth.

Plant the bulbs to the correct depth and make sure they are not touching. Top off with a mulch and finally give the pot a good watering.

Planting suggestions to get you started

If you are confused about which bulbs to plant, here are some suggestions:

Narcissus (Daffodil), Tulipa (Tulips), Muscari (Grape Hyacinth), Hyacinthoides (Bluebell), Galanthus (Snowdrop), Crocus.