Two Hour Gardening Project: Stage 14 – Planting Bulbs for Spring Color

Bulbs bring cheer when gardens are dull. Plan a mixed display near a window. Order/purchase now; plant after annuals finish and vegetables harvested. Naturalize small bulbs in cottage garden or lawn. Seed grass to complete circular lawn.

Needs: mixed bulbs; lawn seed. Time: 2 hours in 2 weeks.

Early October Weather/Soil

Variable: cold/wet or Indian summer. Busy if weather permits—soil warm, seeds/fruits to harvest. North/south differences reassert.

Flower of the Fortnight: Bulb Planting

Lesson: buy bulbs August/September for best show, not when others' daffodils flower. Choice is bewildering. Simple plan: daffodils (whites, yellows); tulips (every color but blue); hyacinths (scent—blues/pinks for best effect). Choose varieties at local center—only hardy, tried types sold. Small bulbs extend season January–April.

Groundwork

1. Store bulbs cool, dark, dry. Don't plant in wet, sticky ground. Wait for dry conditions. Planting window: ~month/6 weeks.
2. Check new tree: secure tie, no bark rubbing. Mulch with clippings/peat/compost.
3. Mow less frequently, raise blades. Last lawn feed before dormancy.
4. Transplant wallflower seedlings among display bulbs.
5. Gladioli: when leaves die, remove stakes, cut leaves at ground, store in dry sand/peat in boxes, dark frost-free.
6. Cut chrysanthemum blooms for indoors.
7. Recognize beetles—nearly all beneficial.

Project Work: Planting Bulbs; Collecting/Sowing Seeds

Clear border of annuals, dig up harvested vegetables. Dig over, add 2.5 cm peat, rake. Dig bulb holes with trowel. Handful soilless mix in bottom, bed bulbs, top up with same mix. Heavy soils: circular hole, base of peat/sand/soil, bed bulbs, dome with soilless mix, infill.

Crocuses under grass: lift turf (Stage 8), prepare hole, plant, replace turf, refirm.

Chionodoxa, crocus, bluebell, snowdrop naturalize like crocus. Collect Shirley poppy (1 head) and calendula (2 heads) seeds in labeled envelopes. Sow next spring. Store cool, dry, dark.

Move to Stage 12 lawn area. Soil settled. Remove weeds, rake lightly, level. Mark 1 yd² areas. Buy general lawn seed. 2 oz in matchbox, scatter over 1 yd². Don't exceed. Repeat. Rake seed in lightly (draw towards you) while scattering sand over seed with other hand. Don't water.