When to plant bulbs, and how to plant them

Every autumn I write myself a little "ta-da list" (so much nicer than a to-do list), and planting bulbs is always near the top. There's something so satisfying about tucking them in now, forgetting about them all winter and then being greeted by a burst of colour in spring.

If you're wondering when to plant bulbs and how deep they go, I've rounded up the questions we get asked most. Have a browse of our autumn planting bulbs while you're here.

When is the best time to plant bulbs?

It depends on when they flower. As a rule of thumb, you plant bulbs a season ahead.

• Spring flowering bulbs (daffodils, narcissi, crocus, iris and tulips) go in during autumn.
• Summer flowering bulbs go in during spring, once the worst of the frosts are over.

When do I plant daffodil and tulip bulbs?

Daffodils and narcissi like to go in early, ideally September or October, as they start making roots sooner. Tulips are the opposite and prefer to wait until October or November, when the soil has cooled down. Planting tulips later helps reduce the risk of a fungal disease called tulip fire.

If you can't plant straight away, keep your bulbs in a paper bag somewhere cool, dark and dry until you're ready to tick this one off the list.

Can you plant bulbs in December or January?

Yes, as long as the ground isn't frozen and the bulbs are still firm. Late planted bulbs may flower a little later or a little smaller in their first year, but they'll catch up. Planting them late is far better than leaving them in the shed!

How deep do I plant bulbs?

Plant each bulb about two to three times as deep as the bulb is tall, pointy end facing up. Planting too shallow or too deep can both stop them flowering, so it's worth getting a ruler out the first time (I did).

Bulbs look best planted in groups rather than dotted about on their own. In the border, plant them in clumps of odd numbers for a natural look. They're just as happy in pots and containers.

Can I plant different bulbs together?

You can, and it's one of my favourite things to do. Layering bulbs in a pot (sometimes called a bulb lasagne) gives you flowers for weeks on end.

1. Put the biggest bulbs at the bottom, such as tulips or large daffodils, as deep as 30cm if your pot allows.
2. Cover with compost, then add a layer of medium bulbs.
3. Add more compost and finish with the smallest bulbs, like crocus or dwarf iris.

I started with just two layers and it worked a treat. Top it off with some winter bedding, like primroses or violas, for colour straight away. Don't worry about the shoots underneath, they're very determined and will find their way through the gaps.

Here's a lovely example from one of our customers, Jane, with daffodils and primroses planted together. Thank you for sharing, Jane!

What do I do with bulbs after flowering?

Once the flowers start to go over, snip off the spent heads to tidy them up. Leave the leaves though! Don't cut them back or tie them up, as they're busy sending energy back down into the bulb for next year. Give them at least six weeks to die back naturally.

A feed with a tomato type fertiliser at this point is a great idea too, as the goodness gets stored in the bulb for a bigger, bolder display next spring.

Why didn't my daffodils flower?

This is called bulb blindness, and there are a few common causes. The bulbs might be planted too shallow, they might be overcrowded, or the leaves may have been cut back too early the year before. Dig up the clump after the leaves have died back, throw away any soft or diseased bulbs and replant the healthy ones with a bit more space at the right depth.

It's so rewarding to plan ahead knowing you'll have a beautiful spring display waiting for you. Take a look at our bulbs and roots for more ideas, and please do drop me a line if you have any questions.

Take care,
Lins x

Filed under Growing basics