When should I be ordering bulbs if I want a good show next year?

Question:

Spring is my favourite time of the year and I am keen to make sure my garden is as pretty as it possibly can be next time around. What is your advice when it comes to preparing bulbs for spring?

Answer:

For those who want to be surrounded by carpets of bulbs next spring you will need to order your bulbs now. Most spring flowering bulbs will need planting in October but leave the planting of tulips until November. When choosing bulbs off the shelf always pick the firmest and largest and avoid any that look unhealthy.

If planting in containers invest in some bulb fibre or use a general-purpose compost mixed with a bit of grit to improve the drainage. Always choose a pot with drainage holes in the bottom or your bulbs may rot. It might be worth covering the top of pots with chicken wire over winter as squirrels often lift them.

Specialist bulb companies will still be taking orders but next year get your orders in by early September so you don’t miss out on your favourite varieties. Don’t be tempted to buy one or two of each bulb. Pick a variety and go for it. One crocus never looks that good appearing in a border on its own!

Plant in drifts or groups of one type for the most wonderful display. A great idea is to plant your bulbs in an aquatic basket and then sink the basket into a border. This means that you can lift the bulbs in the basket and plant them somewhere different next year with ease.

Tamsin Westhorpe - Editor, The English Garden magazine