Q Why did my daffodils fail to flower last spring?
Mary Watkins, by email
APIPPA SAYS
You mentioned you planted your bulbs using an auger attached to an electric drill, so I assume you have heavy clay soil. Planting bulbs in drilled holes like this might make it hard for their roots to move out into the soil, and excess water may build up in the base of the hole, reducing vigour and flowering.
Still, there are other things that can cause a lack of flowers. The bulbs may have suffered a check in growth, usually from being too wet or too dry, when they should have been getting established in their first year. Either extreme would interrupt the supply of nutrients and could lead to the plants not developing properly.
I suggest you apply a foliar feed while they are in leaf. Also add a general fertiliser to the soil, and ensure it doesn’t dry out through spring. Hopefully you’ll get a good display of flowers in future years.