Planting spring bulbs in autumn
A few minutes with a trowel in autumn pays off months later, when the first flowers push up through cold ground. Spring bulbs are among the easiest plants to grow, and they do well in borders, under trees, in lawns and in pots.
When to plant
Plant daffodils, crocuses and most small bulbs from early to mid autumn, while the soil is still warm. Tulips are best planted later, in late autumn, because colder soil helps to prevent a disease called tulip fire. Choose firm, plump bulbs with no soft or mouldy patches, and plant them soon after buying so they don't dry out. Until then, keep them somewhere cool and dry, away from the kitchen and out of reach of children and pets.
How deep and how far apart
The usual guide is to plant a bulb at a depth of two to three times its own height. Most bulbs go in with the pointed end facing up. If you can't tell which end is which, plant the bulb on its side and the shoot will find its own way. In borders, space bulbs about two bulb widths apart, and plant them in loose groups rather than straight lines for a natural look.
Before planting a large batch, we mark the right depth on a short stick with a pen line. We call it the zatelepi stick, and checking each hole against it keeps every bulb at the same depth, so they flower at the same time.
Bulbs in pots
Pots let you enjoy bulbs by the front door or on a balcony. Use multipurpose compost with a few handfuls of grit for drainage, in a pot with holes in the base. You can plant in layers, with large bulbs such as tulips at the bottom and small ones such as crocuses above them, for a display that lasts several weeks. Water the pots after planting, then again only if the compost dries out. Stand the pots on bricks or pot feet over winter so they drain freely.
Keeping squirrels away
Squirrels and mice dig up freshly planted bulbs, especially tulips and crocuses. Firm the soil well after planting, clear away any papery bulb skins that might draw attention, and lay wire mesh over pots and small patches until the shoots appear. Daffodils are rarely touched.