Now’s the time to plant these bargain buys for an EXPLOSION OF BLOOMS next year
IS IT A BULB OR CORM?
Bulb
Corm
To be honest, it really doesn’t matter as they’re both planted in exactly the same way, so don’t fret! Many of our fave flowers such as crocus, gladioli and freesias grow from corms, and they grow just like bulbs of daffs and tulips. The only real difference is that a corm stores all of its starchy nutrients in the stem and the leaves are just papery wrappers to protect it.
MAKE A BULB LASAGNE
To squeeze maximum blooms into your pot and enjoy a long flowering period, plant layers of bulbs with different flowering times. Put 5cm of compost in the pot and position the last-to-flower bulbs (these are tulips, above). Cover over with another layer of compost then add mid-flowering bulbs (ours are hyacinths). Repeat until you get to the top with the first-to-flower bulbs (we’ve planted daffs and then muscari). Finish off by covering with more compost. The shoots of the lower-layer bulbs will bend around anything they hit when growing.
WHICH WAY UP?
It’s not always obvious which is the growing tip and which is the rootball, especially with small bulbs and corms. With lots of bulbs such as tulips and daffs, the growing tip is usually pointed, so plant with this pointing upwards. And many corms will show some sort of sprout – so this goes at the top too. If you’re not sure, then look for the roots – and if there aren’t any roots then look for a rougher patch. If you’re still not sure, don’t worry – hedge your bets and plant the bulb on its side, as the growing tip shoot will naturally head upwards towards the light.
Push in some labels
It’s so easy to forget what you planted, where, so labels will stop you accidentally digging them up. Chalkboard Garden Plant Markers, £6.99/20 amazon.co.uk
PRETTIFY YOUR LAWN
Brighten up a corner with a handful of crocus corms. Use a spade to cut a flap in the grass, push the bulbs into the soil, then lay the turf back over and lightly firm down.
Be bold!
For a modern look, try block-planting, filling each pot with the same flower. different variety.
MAKE IT EASY WITH THE RIGHT TOOLS
Kent & Stowe Hand Bulb Planter, £5.49 futuregarden.co.uk
Long Bulb Planting Auger (attach to a drill), from £7.99/small/ L18cm crocus.co.uk
Kent & Stowe S
