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Just as quickly as summer came and went, autumn is just around the corner which means preparing your garden for spring! Between September and November is the perfect time to get planting, creating gorgeous displays in time for Easter.

Here’s everything you need to know about planting spring bulbs ready for next year.

Spring bulb planting kit

Selecting the perfect spring bulbs

As a rule of thumb, you should plant spring-flowering bulbs from early autumn. This gives them plenty of time to produce new roots before the ground freezes with the onset of winter.

First things first, decide what you want to plant. At Almondsbury Garden Centre, we have a beautiful range of high-quality spring plants available from our Dutch supplier, Prins including our pick your own experience.

Daffodils

When you think of spring, daffodils instantly come to mind. Bright and cheerful, daffodils are iconic spring flowers known for their trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of yellow, white, and orange. They are easy to grow and naturalise well, often becoming more abundant each year.

Tulips

Famous for their vibrant, cup-shaped flowers, tulips come in an array of colours and patterns. They are a classic symbol of spring and are often planted in large drifts for a striking visual impact.

Alliums

Known for their globe-like clusters of tiny flowers atop tall, sturdy stems, alliums add architectural interest to the garden. They bloom in late spring to early summer and come in shades of purple, pink, white, and yellow.

Hyacinths

These fragrant, spike-shaped flowers are densely packed with small blooms in colours ranging from deep purples and blues to pinks and whites. Hyacinths are a favourite for their sweet scent and bold appearance.

Crocus

Crocuses are small but striking, with their cup-shaped flowers in shades of purple, yellow, white, and blue. They often bloom through the last snow, signaling the arrival of spring.

Snowdrops

Delicate and early-blooming, snowdrops have nodding, white, bell-shaped flowers. They are among the first to bloom in February, often pushing through snow to reveal their dainty blossoms.

Anemone

Known for their daisy-like flowers, anemones come in a variety of colours, including white, blue, pink, and red. They typically bloom in mid-spring and are appreciated for their vibrant colours and delicate appearance.

Muscari

Also known as grape hyacinths, Muscari are small but mighty spring bloomers with clusters of tiny, bell-shaped flowers that resemble bunches of grapes. They come in shades of deep blue, purple, and white. Muscari are easy to grow, naturalise quickly, and are perfect for adding a pop of colour to borders, rock gardens, or containers.

When to plant spring bulbs

Spring bulbs are typically planted in autumn (September to November), well before the first hard frost. This gives the bulbs enough time to establish their roots before the ground freezes, ensuring they can bloom beautifully in the spring.  It’s a good idea to stagger your planting so you can enjoy your spring displays for longer.

Where to plant spring bulbs

There are many planting options for spring bulbs including flower beds, containers or even indoors! Why not do all three?

How to plant spring bulbs in the ground

With summer flowering plants gone, spring bulbs bring a burst of colour to your garden, offering a delightful preview of the warmer months ahead. Planting these bulbs in your flower beds, especially at the front of your property, can rejuvenate your garden and enhance your home's curb appeal.

Here are some easy steps for planting spring bulbs in the ground:

  1. Prepare the Soil: Use a trowel or bulb planter to dig a hole that’s deep and wide enough for the bulbs. Most bulbs should be planted at a depth of two to three times their height.
  2. Position the Bulbs: Place the bulbs in the hole with the pointed end facing upward. Ensure they are spaced apart at least twice the width of the bulb.
  3. Backfill and Mark: Cover the bulbs with soil and press down gently. You may want to mark the spot with a label or a stick for future reference.
  4. Watering: If the soil is already moist, you likely won’t need to water as rainfall will suffice. For spring plantings, water the bulbs thoroughly after planting.

How to plant spring bulbs in pots

When planting bulbs in pots, you don’t need to worry too much about spacing. You can place them closer together and at a shallower depth compared to ground planting. Using different pots for various bulb types allows you to rotate the display and highlight bulbs as they bloom. 

Here are some easy steps for planting spring bulbs in pots:

  1. Choose The Right Pot: When planting bulbs in pots,
  2. Ensure Proper Drainage: Place some drainage material, like broken crockery or gravel, at the bottom of the pot.
  3. Add Compost: Fill the pot with compost to a depth of about 10 cm (4 inches) if it’s a large pot.
  4. Arrange the Bulbs: Position the bulbs with their pointed ends facing up, spacing them about 1-2 cm (0.5-1 inch) apart.
  5. Top Off and Water: Add more compost to cover the bulbs and water them well to settle the soil.

How to create indoor spring displays

Bringing spring indoors is easier than you might think! Forcing bulbs like hyacinths to bloom inside your home is a wonderful way to enjoy their vibrant colours and sweet fragrance during the colder months. They also make great Christmas gifts!

Here are some easy steps for planting spring bulbs indoors:

  1. Choose the Right Bulbs: Hyacinths are particularly well-suited for indoor forcing, but you can also try crocuses, daffodils, or paperwhites.
  2. Select a Vase: Use a glass vase that has a narrow neck and a wider base. The narrow neck will hold the bulb just above the water, while the wider base provides space for the roots to grow. You can also use special bulb-forcing vases designed for this purpose.
  3. Prepare the Vase: Fill the vase with water until it reaches just below the base of the bulb. The bulb should not touch the water but be close enough that the roots can reach down to it. This prevents the bulb from rotting.
  4. Initiate Root Growth: Place the vase in a cool, dark place like a basement or a refrigerator for about 4-6 weeks. This mimics winter conditions and encourages the bulb to develop roots.
  5. Move to a Sunny Spot: Once you see roots filling the vase and a green shoot emerging from the top of the bulb, move the vase to a bright, sunny location. A windowsill with indirect sunlight is ideal.
  6. Watch It Bloom: Over the next few weeks, keep the water level just below the base of the bulb and change it regularly. As the plant grows, you’ll soon be rewarded with beautiful blooms and a lovely fragrance to brighten your home.

How to plant a bulb lasagne for maximum impact

A bulb lasagne is a creative and efficient planting technique that allows you to create a multi-layered display of spring flowers with minimal effort. This method involves planting different types of bulbs in layers within the same container or garden bed, so you get a staggered bloom from early spring through to late spring.

What to plant in a bulb lasagne

The great thing about this planting method is that you can mix and match your bulbs to create unique displays every time. 

You can pick your own loose bulbs in our spring bulb market or purchase our ready-made bulb lasagne kits.

So, which order do you plant a bulb lasagne in? 

  • Bottom Layer: Start with the bulbs that will bloom last such as tulips, alliums or iris.
  • Middle Layer: Next, add bulbs that will bloom a bit later, such as daffodils or hyacinths.
  • Top Layer: Finish with bulbs that will bloom first including crocus, anemone, snowdrops.

Gradually, you’ll enjoy each bulb flower until you have a full display in spring. 

 

So, now you’re ready to get planting! Visit our bulb market place to explore our wide range of spring flower bulbs and everything else you need to get started.