How to Plant Spring Bulbs in Autumn for a Cheerful Garden

There are few garden jobs as hopeful as planting bulbs. On a grey October afternoon you tuck a handful of dry, papery shapes into cold soil, and months later they return as snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils and tulips. It is quiet work that rewards patience, and it suits gardens of every size, from a country border to a single pot by the front door.

The good news is that bulbs are forgiving. The Royal Horticultural Society describes most commonly grown bulbs as simple to grow and low maintenance. A few sensible choices now will make all the difference in spring.

Know Your Timings

Timing matters more than most people realise. According to the RHS, spring flowering bulbs such as daffodils are best planted in September and October, and earlier is better. Tulips are the exception and are planted later, in October and November.

That makes mid October a useful moment. It is the tail end of the ideal window for daffodils and just the start of the season for tulips. If your daffodils are still in their bag, plant them this week. If you have tulips waiting, there is no need to rush.

Choosing Bulbs and Where to Plant Them

Buy bulbs close to planting time so they do not deteriorate in storage. The RHS suggests choosing large, firm bulbs with no signs of damage or rot. Soft, mouldy or shrivelled bulbs are rarely worth the risk.

Snowdrops are the notable exception. They establish better when bought and planted after flowering while still in leaf, known as planting in the green, which specialist suppliers offer in late winter and early spring.

Most bulbs prefer a warm, sunny position in free-draining soil, although there are varieties for shade and for damp or dry spots. Always check the packet before you buy so that the bulb suits your garden rather than the other way round.

Think about how you will see them. Bulbs look their best in generous groups rather than neat single rows. A drift of daffodils under a tree, a cluster of tulips by the back door or crocuses scattered across a lawn will give far more pleasure than a lonely line along the edge of a path.

Planting Step by Step

The golden rule is depth. The RHS advises planting true bulbs and corms at a depth equal to three times the height of the bulb. Planted too shallowly, they may fail to flower in later years, a problem known as blindness that is especially common with daffodils.

Dig a hole roughly three times as deep as the bulb is tall and set the bulb in with the pointed tip facing upwards. Leave space between bulbs, at least twice their own width apart. Backfill with soil, firm it gently and water if the ground is dry.

In containers, bulbs can be planted less deeply and packed more closely for a fuller display. The RHS notes that potted bulbs tend to flower less well in their second year, so many gardeners treat them as a one season treat and replace them each autumn.

A word of warning for those with lively wildlife: squirrels may dig up and eat bulbs, including crocuses and tulips. A layer of chicken wire laid over the soil until the shoots appear can save a good deal of disappointment.

Caring for Them After Flowering

Once the flowers fade in spring, resist the urge to tidy too quickly. The RHS recommends cutting off spent flower heads but leaving the leaves for about six weeks after flowering, until they turn yellow and straw-like. Feeding with a high potassium fertiliser during this time helps the bulb build up strength for next year. Do not tie or knot the leaves, as this can stop the bulb flowering the following spring.

A Little Work Now for a Lovely Spring

Bulb planting asks for an afternoon, a trowel and a little faith. In return it offers some of the first colour of the new year, often just when the garden needs it most. Choose a sunny spot, plant deeply and let the winter do the rest.

Will you be planting daffodils, tulips or something more unusual this autumn? Share your plans with us, and keep reading Duchess Magazine for more ideas on living well at home and in the garden.