Ensure a spring garden full of colour by planning ahead and planting spring bulbs before winter is here. There are many flowers to choose from to brighten a bleak winter garden as spring arrives! Read our blog to find out how to plant bulbs for Spring.
Where should I plant bulbs?
You can buy your bulbs from a range of retailers from garden centres, online and even DIY stores. There is a range to choose from so pick your favourite colours and a range of bloom times accordingly! View the different types below.
Bulbs can be planted in borders to fill gaps and add colour while your perennials are still dormant. Try mixing varieties together for a full rainbow display!
You can also create colour on your patio by planting spring bulbs in pots, choose a container to compliment your flowers and ensure the pot has holes for drainage over winter.
How to plant Spring bulbs?
Bulbs are very easy to get started. Find a sunny spot and simply plant your bulbs with its top facing upwards in a well-drained soil. As a general rule, plant bulbs two to three times their own depth and around two bulb widths apart.
Replace the soil after planting, pat the area down gently, add a little water if required and wait!
You might find your bulbs don’t perform as expected in their first year, if they’re a perennial bulb they should improve in subsequent years. Try adding a fertiliser to the soil to encourage growth, you can use a Bokashi Composter to make a liquid feed out of your kitchen scraps for free!
Snowdrops
Plant September to November for flowers January to March
Plant depth: 10cm or three times their depth
Daffodils
Plant by end of September for flowers January to March
Plant depth: 15cm or three times their depth
Aliums
Plant September to November for flowers April to June (dependent on type)
Plant depth: 30cm or three times their depth
Crocus
Plant by September for flowers January to March
Plant depth: 10cm or three times their depth
Hyacinth
Plant September to November for flowers January to March
Plant depth: 10cm or twice their depth
Tulips
Plant November for flowers late March to April
Plant depth: 20cm or three times their depth
For more advise on planting visit the RHS website.
