September

Bulb Tips

Planting bulbs is a very rewarding task.

Here at Cook's we take a huge pride in the size and range of bulbs we carry - from your favourites to less common varieties

Do call in early to avoid disappointment.

A perfect job for a crisp autumn day, spring bulbs - colourful crocuses, tulips and daffodils - will brighten vibrant colour to your garden.

If you plan carefully, the show of bulbs can last from late winter - when the first snowdrops and crocuses emerge - to June, when the lollipop flowers of ornamental onions (alliums) bloom.

Tulips for spring colour

Tulips come in a wonderful variety of colours shapes and sizes.

They include windflowers (Anemone blanda ), wild hyacinth ( Camassia), Snake's-head fritillaria or guinea-hen flower ( Fritillaria meleagris ), Persian fritillaria, ( Fritillaria Persica ) and Bulgarian ornamental onion (Nectaroscordum siculum ).

When to plant bulbs for spring?

Don't do it too early

Whilst bulbs generally arrive towards the end of the summer for best results purchase your bulbs early to avoid disappointment but wait until the early autumn to plant.

Plant bulbs in October

Soil needs to cool for bulbs. If your weather is still quite warm, wait to plant bulbs when soil temperatures drop to 55 degrees F (12 degrees C) or cooler.

Soil tends to reach this temperature when average night-time temperatures drop to around 50 degrees F (10 degree C) or cooler for about two weeks.

If you plant bulbs for spring before the soil cools down, you can have problems, especially in a wet autumn.

If it's not wet, but still warm when you plant bulbs, they can also start making top growth, which you don't want to see until spring.

While waiting to plant, store your bulbs in a cool, dry place. After planting, water your bulbs thoroughly. Autumn rains normally provide all the moisture necessary, helping bulbs grow strong, deep roots to give you lot of colourful flowers for spring.

General care guidelines for Spring Bulbs

Spring Bulbs are generally quite simple and easy to grow because most have similar requirements so once you understand the basics you can grow nearly any Spring flowering bulb with ease.

Planting time: For best results plant Spring bulbs in Autumn.

Depth & Spacing: Most bulbs are planted twice as deep as the bulb is high and the same distance apart. In most cases, the pointed end of the bulb should be upwards. (If in doubt, plant the bulb on it's side.)

Soil type: Most Spring bulbs require a moisture retentive, well drained soil. If your soil is soggy you can raise the beds to improve drainage or plant in pots.

Position: Most bulbs require full sun to light shade. Generally heavier shade produces taller (and softer) stems. In warmer climates, most bulbs tolerate greater levels of shade.

Watering: Spring flowering bulbs in the garden wil not usually require watering providing they are planted in moisture retentive soil. Bulbs planted in containers

Hanging baskets, tubs, window boxes, etc. should be kept moist but not wet.

Feeding: Top dress all Spring flowering bulbs in Autumn with a bulb or general fertiliser. Many bulbs perform better if a second dressing is applied straight after flowering.

Spread the fertiliser over the top of the soil and water in.

Post flowering care: Remove dead heads and allow foliage to die back naturally.

During this period the leaves are acting like solar panels, generating food which is stored in the bulb for generating next year's flower.

So it's important that the leaves are not removed prematurely or tied into knots.

Digging and storing your bulbs: Allow the foliage to die down before lifting (or for at least 6 weeks after flowering). Firstly loosen the soil with a fork and gently pull up the bulbs by their stems.

Allow the bulbs to dry somewhere cool (but not in full sun). Once dry, clean off excess dirt and remove old flowering stalks.

Store the bulbs somewhere cool (less than 25°C), dry and airy until replanting in Autumn.

To lift or not to lift?: This is one of the most popular questions when it comes to bulb care.

There are many bulbs which can successfully be left in the ground from year to year without any detrimental impact on their floral performance.

Some bulbs however, especially tulips and hyacinths, are best lifted each year.

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