Get Ready For Autumn

You can start prepping your garden in autumn and winter.

Loosen the soil with a garden fork or tiller, remove weeds, and mix in compost or organic matter to improve soil fertility and structure.

Applying a thick layer of mulch in autumn can help suppress weed growth over the winter, reducing the amount of weeding needed in spring.

• Tulips: Plant tulip bulbs about 6-8 inches deep, with the pointed end facing up. A good rule of thumb is to plant them at a depth that is roughly three times the height of the bulb.
   
• Daffodils: Plant daffodil bulbs about 6 inches deep, or roughly two to three times the height of the bulb. Similar to tulips, the pointed end should face upwards.

A spring lasagne (or bulb lasagne) is a layered planting technique where you plant different types of spring-flowering bulbs in layers in the same pot or garden bed. Bulbs are planted at different depths based on their size and bloom time, allowing them to flower in succession through spring. For example:

1. Plant tulips at the deepest level (about 6-8 inches).
2. Add a layer of daffodils or hyacinths above them (4-6 inches).
3. Top it with smaller bulbs like crocuses (2-3 inches).
   This technique creates a beautiful, long-lasting display of flowers blooming at different times in the same space.

• Tulips: Typically bloom about 12-16 weeks after planting, depending on the variety and weather conditions.
• Daffodils: Bloom roughly 10-12 weeks after planting, with some early varieties flowering earlier.
• Hyacinths: Usually take about 10-12 weeks to bloom after planting.
• Alliums: Alliums often take 12-16 weeks to bloom after planting and are among the later spring bloomers.
• Crocus: These bulbs are among the earliest to bloom, often taking around 8-10 weeks from planting to flower.

These timelines vary based on local climate and when the bulbs are planted, but in general, most spring bulbs require a cold period to grow and flower successfully.