12 Apr 2021
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7 BEGINNER TIPS FOR PLANTING BULBS

  1. START WITH HEALTHY BULBS
    Make sure that when purchasing your bulbs you take a good look at them.  They need to be firm and dry.  They should not have any mold or soft, mushy areas.
  2. BE PATIENT & PLANT AT THE RIGHT TIME
    Don’t be in a rush to plant out your bulbs until waiting for temperatures to drop – especially the night time temperatures.  Mid to late autumn is the best time of year to plant winter and spring flowering bulbs.  The soil is still fairly warm, allowing the plants’ root systems to develop before the cold of winter sets in.
  3. PLANT YOUR BULBS IN THE RIGHT PLACE
    Some bulbs prefer lots of sunshine, while others require some protection from the hot midday sun and would do better in semi-shaded areas.  Make sure that you read the instructions carefully on the label of your bulb packet – or chat to any of our team for advice.
  4. PLANT YOUR BULBS AT THE CORRECT DEPTH
    Ensure that you read the planting instructions of your chosen bulbs very carefully, as every bulb is unique. A good general rule of thumb is to plant bulbs at a depth of three times their height.
  5. KNOW THE BOTTOM FROM THE TOP
    Bulbs have a top and bottom. Some bulbs make this more obvious than others. The top is often somewhat pointy. The bottom is flatter and there may be fine roots already there. When planting, the bottom needs to placed downwards. If you are finding it difficult to distinguish the top from the bottom of your bulb, don’t worry.  They will still grow and bloom when planted upside-down or on their sides : it just requires a little extra growth to get them turned around and growing in the right direction.
  6. WATERING
    Watering your bulbs regularly and correctly is incredibly important, as the roots need to be kept continuously moist from the moment the bulbs have been planted. If you have planted your bulbs into pots, make sure you check them regularly, as they tend to dry out very quickly.
  7. PLANT THEM IN THE CORRECT SOIL
    When it comes to soil, bulbs tend to thrive in cool, well-drained soil. Sandy loam is ideal – especially with added organic matter, such as compost. If you’re planting bulbs in containers (which is a great idea to if you battle with moles in the garden) it can be helpful to add water-retaining granules to slow down water loss during the dry months.  These products are available at Blackwood’s stores.