How to Plant Bulbs

Bulbs are some of the easiest and most rewarding plants to grow. Any gardener - amateur and expert alike - can produce beautiful displays with the humble bulb and, even better, they more or less take care of themselves once planted. 

It’s easy to learn how to plant bulbs and actually planting them is a quick and simple affair. In this guide we’ll tell you exactly how to do it.

How to Store Bulbs Before Planting

Bulbs usually come packed in perforated polythene bags, though some may come with sawdust in the bags to keep condensation at bay. If you can’t plant them immediately, keep them in a cool, dark, moisture-free place and they’ll keep fine for several weeks.

How to Plant Bulbs

Whether you plant into pots, planters or straight into the earth, there are some very simple rules to bear in mind when planting bulbs: 

• Plant bulbs at twice the depth of the height of each one, and approx. 4 times their width apart. For example, bulbs that are 5cm will need to be planted 10cm below the surface and 20cm apart. For any specific instructions, check the bag the bulbs come in.
  
  
• Even if a green shoot has made an appearance, they’re still fine to plant. They’ll just need to be well watered straight after planting, and that’s only if the soil is dry.
  
  
• While all the energy that a bulb needs for future growth is stored in the bulb itself, they’ll thrive better if you feed them when in active green growth. Leave them in the ground once they die back – they’ll come back bigger and better each year. 

How to Plant Bulbs That Are in the Green

When snowdrops, bluebells and aconites are in leaf – and later may have flowered and are dying back – they are lifted from the ground, with the leaves still on the plants.

If lifted, packed, sent, and re-planted in a short amount of time, the plants will flourish. These bulbs establish much quicker than dry bulbs, so there’s no waiting around - they’ll reward you with stunning displays the season after planting.

They can look yellowing or dying when you receive them but this is nothing to worry about – they’ll just die back to the bulb.

When Do I Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs?

Bulbs like daffodils, tulips and crocus are Nature’s messengers that tell us spring has arrived. Who can fail to feel excited when they see little pops of colour peeking up through the ground? These lovely spring blooms signal the end of winter and tell us warmer weather is finally on its way.  

If you want your spring-flowering bulbs to flower next season, the key is to plant them in the autumn. Some bulbs, like tulips, can be planted as late as November, but it’s best to plant your bulbs as soon as you can in autumn so that they have time to establish good, healthy roots before the cold weather starts to bite. 

Hardy summer-flowering bulbs like lilies and alliums can also be planted in the autumn.

Plant in herbaceous borders, in pots, or leave in the ground to naturalise. If planted in pots be sure to water frequently and keep moist.

And remember, if you need any equipment like trowels, pots or gloves, just browse our gardening range to find everything you need.