WHAT DO SPRING BULBS NEED?

WHEN THE LEAVES ARE FALLING FROM THE TREES WE KNOW

IT’S TIME TO PLANT SPRING FLOWERING BULBS.

Just add water and your little bulbs will start to grow. But to thrive and flower they also need:

DRAINAGE - Although their roots need water, bulbs hate sitting around in wet soil and will rot! Make sure your pots have drainage holes for the extra water to escape. If using a container without drainage holes fill the bottom with pebbles. Or plant your bulbs in nursery pots that can be popped into a decorative container when they start flowering. LIGHT

- Most bulbs love sunshine but some like growing in part shade, such as under deciduous trees. WINTER COLD

- Some bulbs (such as tulips) won’t flower until they get a good chill. Some bulbs even grow in snow! Others don’t like frost so pots are the perfect place to plant them.

Fake it! You can trick bulbs into thinking it’s winter by keeping them in the fridge for about two months before you plant them. Often the bulbs we buy have already had their chill so they are ready to go.