Bunny’s Diary
Bunny’s planting tulip bulbs, collecting fallen leaves and protecting tender plants
Last year, in two identical terracotta pots of 57cm internal diameter, I planted 75 tulip bulbs of three different varieties per pot from Gee Tee Bulb Company ( gee-tee.co.uk). In one I planted three layers (‘lasagne’ style, in layers 15cm apart). In the other all were at the same level, 15cm from the top. There was little difference: the single layer came into flower a few days earlier and finished a few days earlier, but otherwise the performances were identical.
Squirrels adore bulbs so I buy a 1kg drum of cayenne pepper from Amazon and put pepper on top of each bulb. I often use a match to mark where I’ve planted bulbs in my borders, so I can top up the chilli powder over winter, and you could do the same in pots, too. You can bargain hunt in January for half-price tulips, which are ideal for mass meadow planting, but you’ll have a much more restricted choice. Late planting also helps prevent tulip fire.
Collecting up leaves instantly makes the garden look good and they can be used to make a wonderful leafmould. I put them into builders bags and it takes deciduous leaves around two years to rot. Leafmould contains few nutrients but loads of organic matter and fungi. I put it on top of the soil in borders and vegetable beds whenever I have a gap. It generally has a neutral pH unless it is made from pine needles, which temporarily make the soil more acidic and take a good few years to rot down.
I’ve moved my less hardy treasures to my snug areas: against a sheltered south wall and under a south-facing lean-to. When temperatures are set to drop below freezing (weather apps are essential – I use several) I fling multiple layers of fleece or whatever else I have to hand over the top. In truly Arctic conditions, I move them to a cool room in the house for a short period. Thick fleece (30gsm) keeps 5- 6 degrees of frost off; thinner fleece (17gsm) keeps 2-3 degrees off. Surprisingly, my Plumbago auriculata have survived the past two winters outside.
Visit Bunny’s YouTube channel to watch videos such as November’s ‘Garden Highlights’ and ‘How to Change Your Microclimate with Shelterbelts’.