Topic: When is the best time to plant bulbs?

[David P]

Hello all, Happy New Year to you all!!

i was wondering if anyone could advise me when the best time to plant bulbs is? 

Thankyou

[saddad]

October... you've missed the boat. Pot them... plant in tubs, they will do the buisness but later than normal, allow to die back then plant out proper in Autumn!
 ;D

[Eristic]

This rather depends on the particular bulbs. As a quick rule of thumb, Spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips, daffs etc are all planted in the autumn (Oct-Nov) whereas those that flower in the summer such as lilies, gladies and such will be planted March -Apr.

Some bulbs are best planted after flowering while they still have leaves on. Snowdrop, muscari and bluebell are a few. There is usually only a few weeks in the year when these are available 'in the green' as they quickly go dormant.

[springbok]

I planted all mine out in September and they are all poking out above the ground now.

[saddad]

Same here SBG, lovely to see isn't it!
 ;D

[ACE]

You can play a bit of catch-up if you pot all your bulbs 4 or 5 to a pot and keep them in the coldframe. They will be showing in about 10 days, then as they start to show roots out of the bottom of the pot ,plant them out as potfulls into their place in the garden. This works especially well with tulips.