Read MoreOctober is the ideal time to plant spring bulbs: snowdrops, anemones, crocus, daffodils, tulips, alliums, and more. Most modern hybridized bulbs are bred to grow and produce results, so they’re perfect for beginners; they’re also great for planters, balcony gardens and other restricted spaces. There are lots of places to buy good quality bulbs, but
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October is the ideal time to plant spring bulbs: snowdrops, anemones, crocus, daffodils, tulips, alliums, and more. Most modern hybridized bulbs are bred to grow and produce results, so they’re perfect for beginners; they’re also great for planters, balcony gardens and other restricted spaces.
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There are lots of places to buy good quality bulbs, but I like the selection you get from catalogues. My personal favourites are Breck’s and Vesey’s. (Both companies have great websites as well.) They also have reassuring guarantees: if a bulb or plant fails to perform, they’ll replace it or give you a refund, even if it was your fault.
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(If possible, be sure to inspect each bulb carefully before you buy it. It’s okay if the dry outer layers of skin are peeling off, but reject any with mushy spots, bruises, fungus or damage. Larger bulbs like daffodils or tulips should feel dry, firm and a little bit heavier in your hand than you expect. (That’s why I’m not a big fan of bulbs sold at retail in closed packages, unless they’re in mesh bags or offer some other way to see the bulbs inside.)
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Be sure the soil in your planting spot is well drained, by adding compost, and if necessary, some kind of soil lightener like vermiculite or coarse sand. If you’re unsure, fill the hole with a watering can’s worth of water and see how well it drains. If it takes longer than a minute or two, add more compost or sand.
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The rule of thumb is to dig a hole two to three times the height of the bulb, but this can vary, so check the instructions that come with the bulbs. I like to dig the hole a few inches deeper and add amended soil to the proper depth, just to give the bulbs a nice soft base to snuggle their roots into.
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Getting the depth wrong can be costly – too shallow and they may not have enough protection against frost, especially if you get a lot of cold or snow where you live. Too deep and they may rot before they get tall enough to flower, or the flowers will bloom too low to the earth and spoil the show.
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There is one place where I deviate from the experts. Most will tell you to space your bulbs several inches apart to allow them to grow and spread. What that gives you is a whole lot of individual flowers spaced out, which, especially in a small city garden, looks terrible. (I think so, anyway.)
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Go ahead and clump them together as close as you like, as long as they aren’t actually touching. Sure, you may have to dig them up in a few years and replant them if they get too crowded, but it’s a small price to pay for a show-stopping display.
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Keeping critters from dining on your precious newly planted babies is an ongoing problem for all bulb lovers, and I admit I don’t have all the answers. The tried-and-true is to place chicken wire over the planting area, and that does work, but it’s not always practical.