insideKENT Magazine Issue 101 - September 2020 | Page 74
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YOUR GARDEN THIS MONTH:
SEPTEMBER
Bulbs: Autumn Planting for Spring Reward
BULBS MAKE A FINE DISPLAY PLANTED IN CONTAINERS OR BORDERS, ESPECIALLY
DAFFODILS, SNOWDROPS AND TULIPS IN SPRING. THEY ARE ONE OF THE EASIEST
AND MOST REWARDING GARDEN PLANTS TO GROW.
When to plant bulbs:
Summer
• Plant autumn-flowering bulbs, such as nerines, by
late summer.
Autumn
• Plant spring-flowering bulbs, such as daffodils,
crocus and hyacinths, preferably by the end of
September.
• Plant hardy summer-flowering bulbs, such as lilies,
alliums and crocosmia, in September and October.
• Plant tulips in November.
Where to plant bulbs
Some bulbs need specific siting;
• Most hardy bulbs, including tulips and daffodils,
prefer a warm, sunny site with good drainage as
they come from areas with dry summer climates.
• Bulbs from cool, moist, woodland habitats, such
as Cardiocrinum, need similar garden conditions.
Improve light or sandy soils with garden compost
and heavy soils with compost plus grit.
How to plant bulbs
Most bulbs are acquired and planted when dry, in
a dormant, leafless, rootless state. Plant as soon as
possible. They may flower poorly following later
than recommended planting or after lengthy storage.
Planting in borders
Aim to plant in groups of at least six, as the more
bulbs that are grouped together, the better the display.
Typically, 25 to 50 bulbs may be needed to make
an impressive show.
This method applies to spring, summer and autumnflowering
bulbs:
• Dig a hole wide and deep enough for your bulbs.
Plant most bulbs at two to three times their depth.
For example, for a bulb measuring 5cm (2in) high,
dig a hole 10-15cm (4-6in) deep and sit the bulb
in the bottom of it.
• Place the bulbs in the hole with their ‘nose’, or
shoot, facing upwards. Space them at least twice
the bulb’s own width apart
• Replace the soil and gently firm with the back of
a rake. Avoid treading on the soil as this can
damage the bulbs.
• If the ground is moist or the bulbs are autumnplanted,
watering is not critical. Otherwise water
straight after planting.
Some bulbs, such as winter aconites, bluebells and
snowdrops, are thought to be best planted, moved
or divided ‘in the green’, when flowering is over but
they are still in leaf. However, dried bulbs are often
offered and can be successful.
In containers
Most bulbs are ideal for growing in containers, but
this especially suits those with large, showy flowers,
such as tulips, lilies, arum lilies and alliums.
Here are some tips for success:
• For bulbs that are only going to spend one season
in their container, use a mix of three parts multipurpose
compost with one part grit. For long-term
container displays, use three parts John Innes No
2 compost mixed with one part grit.
• Plant at three times their depth and one bulb
width apart.
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