Bulbs are an essential part of every garden. For reward without effort, they surely take the first prize. Many of them will grow in either full sun or shade and in practically any soil providing it is not waterlogged. With the minimum of attention, they will go on and on producing flowers year after year.
[caption id="attachment_1027" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Tulipa 'Angelique'[/caption]
Buying Bulbs
When purchasing bulbs, it is essential to buy the best quality available. Look out for large bulbs, as these will provide the biggest and best flowers. Do not be tempted by bargains, as these can often be undersized and inferior in quality. With bulbs, the term ‘you get what you pay for’ is very true. Inspect the bulbs if they are loose, making sure that they are firm and that there is no sign of damage or rot. With small bulbs, like miniature daffodils and snowdrops, it is important to plant immediately as these are the first to dehydrate in the warmth of a garden centre.
[caption id="attachment_1028" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Tulipa Baby Blue[/caption]
Bulbs in Containers
Autumn is the time to plant tubs,window boxes, pots and containers in general with bulbs, which will give a cheerful spring display. Hyacinth, crocus, dwarf varieties of narcissi and the shorter types of tulips are especially suitable.
First fill the bottom of the container with pieces of broken polystyrene or old broken pottery to prevent the drainage holes from becoming blocked. Fill the container with a free-draining compost. Once the display has finished and before the foliage dies down, the bulbs can be lifted and planted elsewhere in the garden to build up their reserves for the following year. This frees up your containers to be planted with summer flowering plants.
[caption id="attachment_1029" align="aligncenter" width="570"] Daffodil[/caption]
Bulb Planting
Late summer or early autumn is the best time to plant spring-flowering bulbs. Plant summer-flowering bulbs in spring. Bulbs grow best in soil that is well drained and contains a reasonable amount of organic matter. However, any manure that is dug in before planting must be completely rotted. Organic fertilisers are best. The usual rule is to plant bulbs,using a trowel, in holes three times deeper than their height, that is, a 15cm hole for bulbs 5cm in height. Suggested spacings should be taken as a rough guide, for irregular planting gives a more pleasing effect than plants grown in precisely spaced rows. Just bear the recommended spacing in mind when placing the bulbs on the ground in random order before planting. Small groups of bulbs always look better than single plants. Clear the ground of all weeds first so that the soil will not have to be disturbed again after planting.Where bulbs and spring bedding are grown together, plant the biennials first. Leave the spaces for groups of bulbs to be planted afterwards. Generally bulbs should be planted as soon as possible after you have purchased them. An exception to this rule is tulips, which are best planted late in the season – November is ideal. Bulbs should be planted while they are still fi rm and preferably without any sign of growth.
[caption id="attachment_1030" align="aligncenter" width="570"] Snowdrops[/caption]
Bord Bia It’s Garden Time
With thanks to Bord Bia for this article. For more information on Bord Bia and for further gardening tips and advice, visit http://www.bordbia.ie/consumer/gardening/itsgardentime/pages/gardentips.aspx
Tulipa 'Angelique'[/caption]
Buying Bulbs
When purchasing bulbs, it is essential to buy the best quality available. Look out for large bulbs, as these will provide the biggest and best flowers. Do not be tempted by bargains, as these can often be undersized and inferior in quality. With bulbs, the term ‘you get what you pay for’ is very true. Inspect the bulbs if they are loose, making sure that they are firm and that there is no sign of damage or rot. With small bulbs, like miniature daffodils and snowdrops, it is important to plant immediately as these are the first to dehydrate in the warmth of a garden centre.
[caption id="attachment_1028" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Tulipa Baby Blue[/caption]
Bulbs in Containers
Autumn is the time to plant tubs,window boxes, pots and containers in general with bulbs, which will give a cheerful spring display. Hyacinth, crocus, dwarf varieties of narcissi and the shorter types of tulips are especially suitable.
First fill the bottom of the container with pieces of broken polystyrene or old broken pottery to prevent the drainage holes from becoming blocked. Fill the container with a free-draining compost. Once the display has finished and before the foliage dies down, the bulbs can be lifted and planted elsewhere in the garden to build up their reserves for the following year. This frees up your containers to be planted with summer flowering plants.
[caption id="attachment_1029" align="aligncenter" width="570"]
Daffodil[/caption]
Bulb Planting
Late summer or early autumn is the best time to plant spring-flowering bulbs. Plant summer-flowering bulbs in spring. Bulbs grow best in soil that is well drained and contains a reasonable amount of organic matter. However, any manure that is dug in before planting must be completely rotted. Organic fertilisers are best. The usual rule is to plant bulbs,using a trowel, in holes three times deeper than their height, that is, a 15cm hole for bulbs 5cm in height. Suggested spacings should be taken as a rough guide, for irregular planting gives a more pleasing effect than plants grown in precisely spaced rows. Just bear the recommended spacing in mind when placing the bulbs on the ground in random order before planting. Small groups of bulbs always look better than single plants. Clear the ground of all weeds first so that the soil will not have to be disturbed again after planting.Where bulbs and spring bedding are grown together, plant the biennials first. Leave the spaces for groups of bulbs to be planted afterwards. Generally bulbs should be planted as soon as possible after you have purchased them. An exception to this rule is tulips, which are best planted late in the season – November is ideal. Bulbs should be planted while they are still fi rm and preferably without any sign of growth.
[caption id="attachment_1030" align="aligncenter" width="570"]
Snowdrops[/caption]
Bord Bia It’s Garden Time
With thanks to Bord Bia for this article. For more information on Bord Bia and for further gardening tips and advice, visit http://www.bordbia.ie/consumer/gardening/itsgardentime/pages/gardentips.aspx 
