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Plant in Cluster & Drifts:
By grouping bulbs into clusters or drifts this will give you a greater impact of colour than planting a few here and there.

Long Lasting Colour:
To create a wonderful kaleidoscope of colour that can last from July to October choose a range of early, mid and late flowering bulb varieties. Generally most types of bulbs, Tulips, Daffodils, Dutch Iris, Hyacinths etc. will have flowering varieties that come into these categories. With Tulips you can also plant chilled and unchilled bulbs together. The advantage of doing this is that you can have ongoing colour for a longer time in your beds as there is approximately two weeks difference in flowering time between chilled and unchilled bulbs, however, unchilled bulbs will not grow as tall as chilled, approximately half their listed height.

Combine Bulbs With Annuals:
By planting annuals such as Pansies, Violets or Primulas in contrasting or harmonious colours can give you a wonderful under-planting of colour. An example is blue pansies under yellow or orange tulips or white with pink tulips etc. Or you can plant different bulb varieties together with stunning results for example. Red Tulips with blue/purple hyacinths or combine Anemones with tall growing tulips or even mixing tall and low growing tulips can give you a wonderful under-story of colour. Let your imagination go and see the delightful effects you can create.

Bed Dividers:
An easy and very effective way of keeping different varieties segregated when planting so you know where they are later, is to surround them using plants like Parsley, Alyssum, California Poppies etc. These will all give you a wonderful contrast of colour and will go on flowering after the bulbs have finished.

BULBS FOR ALL POSITIONS
Most bulbs will grow in any position, however, some will not flower if they do not get sufficient sun e.g.: Daffodils.
Full Sun Areas: Tulips, Hyacinths Freesias, Grape Hyacinths, Anemones, Ranunculi, Daffodils, Dutch Iris, Snowdrops, Arab Eyes, Alstromeria,Erlicheer, Soldier Boys, Nerines, Bluebells.
Shady Areas: Anemones, Bluebells,
Hyacinths, Grape Hyacinths, Dutch Iris, Alstromeria, Dutch Crocus, Soldier Boys, Ranunculi, Tulips, Snowdrops, Dutch Crocus. (We have grown Tulips, and Dutch Iris in full shade, they will lean towards the light but still flower beautifully}.
Rockery Areas: Daffodils, Dutch Iris, Hyacinths, Grape Hyacinths, Dutch Crocus, Soldier Boys, Snowdrops,
Bluebells, Tulips, Rock Tulips,
Nerines, Freesias.
Naturalising Bulbs: These bulbs can be left undisturbed for many years. Anemones, Daffodils, Dutch Iris,
Ranunculi, Hyacinths, Grape Hyacinths, Freesias, Bluebells, Soldier Boys, Snowdops, Arab Eyes, Alstromeria,
Erlicheer, Nerines, Dutch Crocus.

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How To Grow Alstromeria - Peruvian Lily

On Arrival: Plant immediately.

Aspect: Full sun to part shade.

Soil: Any.

Fertiliser: Blood and bone and complete garden fertilizer.

Depth & Spacing: Plant 10-15 cm deep in clumps and approx. 50cm apart.

Watering: Keep moist. Once established these very hardy plants can survive without water. They will go dormant and respond again when watered or when it rains.

Flowering: Flowers appear from September through to February depending on conditions. Feeding with liquid fertiliser during flowering will give you larger and deeper coloured flowers. Excellent for cut flowers with long vase life. Plants can be left undisturbed for years.

Dividing: When left undisturbed for years tubers will eventually push up out of the ground as they multiply; this will not effect their flowering. Clumps can be divided easily using a garden fork, with new groups created by placing
tubers in clusters.

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How To Grow Anemones/Ranunculi

Planting Time Autumn, March-May.

Aspect Full sun or part shade.

Soil Well drained with plenty of compost or well rotted manure dug into soil before planting.

Depth & Spacing Plant pointed end down, 5-7 cm d eep, 10-15 cm apart.

Fertiliser If planted in well-prepared soil they should not need fertilising
until the buds appear. Apply liquid fertiliser at this time and after flowering. .

Watering Water well after planting, keep moist. Give deep weekly watering during growth and flowering. Once foliage starts dying down, stop watering.

After Flowering Care Cut off spent flowers and fertilise, keep watered until leaves turn yellow. Allow foliage to die down naturally. Bulbs may be left undisturbed for three years, after this, it is best to replace with new stock. If you are lifting bulbs, do so as soon as the foliage dies down and store them in a clean dry, airy place.

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How to Grow Asparagus (see Food Crop Section at end of How to Grow Bulb Section)

How to Grow Chincherinchee (Arab Eyes)

Planting Time: Autumn.

Aspect: Full Sun.

Soil: Well drained.

Depth & Spacing: Plant pointy end up with top about 5 cm below surface and 20 cm apart.

Fertiliser: Not essential but a top dressing when vigorous growth is evident will produce better quality blooms.

Watering: Drought hardy once established but watered occasionally.

After flowering: Cut spent heads, and leave undisturbed for years.

Trouble Shooting: Trouble free.

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How to Grow Babiana

Planting Time: Autumn.

Aspect: Full Sun to part shade.

Soil: Well drained.

Depth & Spacing: Plant pointy end up 5-7 cm deep and 5-7 cm apart, can be left to naturalise.

Fertiliser: Not essential but a top dressing when vigorous growth is evident will produce better quality blooms, Blood and Bone and complete garden fertiliser.

Watering: Drought hardy once established but watered occasionally.

Flowers Mid to late spring.

After flowering: Cut spent heads, and leave undisturbed for years.

Trouble Shooting: Trouble free.

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How To Grow Belladonna Lilly (Easter Lily)

Planting Time: Autumn.

Aspect: Full sun to semi shade. Will naturalise easily.

Soil: Well drained soil.

Depth & Spacing: Plant late summer with the neck of the bulb just above the surface of the soil, 20-30cm apart. Can be left undisturbed for years.

Fertilizer: Compelete garden fertiliser & Blood & Bone.

Flowers: Autumn. bulbs may take two season to flower as they do not like to be disturbed.

After Flowering Care: The bulbs are best left undisturbed.

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How To Grow Bluebells/Scillas

Planting Time: Autumn.

Aspect: Prefers dappled sunlight or places where they recieve some morning sun with the shade later in the day. However, they will grow in the full sun, but if hot conditions occur during flowering, flowers will not last as long. Will naturalise easily.
Soil: Well drained rich soil with lots of humus but will do well in poor soils.

Depth & Spacing: Plant bulbs 5 cm deep and about 8 - 10 cm apart - (pointy end up).

Fertilizer: Compelete garden fertiliser.

Watering: Watering regular and deep while in leaf and flowering, but relatively dry through dormancy.

After Flowering Care: Remove spent flowers and continue to water until the foilage dies down. The bulbs are best left undisturbed.

Trouble Shooting: Flowers can tend to finish quickly if conditions are too hot. In warmer areas plant in a cooler spot.

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How to Grow Baby Gladiolus

Planting Time: Autumn.

Aspect: Full Sun to part shade.

Soil: Well drained. Richer soils give better quality blooms.

Depth & Spacing: Plant 8-10cm deep and 15cm apart, can be left to naturalise.

Fertiliser: A complete garden fertiliser or organic.

Watering: Drought hardy once established but watered occasionally.

Flowers Mid to late spring.

After flowering: Cut spent heads, and leave undisturbed for years.

Trouble Shooting: Trouble free.

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How to Grow Daffodils/Erlicheer

Planting Time: Autumn, April /May.

Aspect: These bulbs grow best in a sunny position or under deciduous trees where they receive winter sun. Some protection from strong winds is also desirable. They can be grown in pots as well although we only recommend one year in pots before they are planted out. This is because daffodils are hungry feeders and they don't generally flower well the second year if left in pots.

Soil: Soil must be well drained. If you have heavy soils build your beds up so water can drain away.

Fertilizer: Daffodils/Erlicheer are hungry feeders so ideally, large amounts of decayed organic matter (eg: sheep manure) should be dug in a month or so before planting. Use a complete fertilizer & blood and bone as well at planting. After flowering top dress with blood and bone or a complete fertilizer to feed your bulbs for next years flowers.

Depth & Spacing: For large bulb varieties plant 12-15 cm apart and 15 cm deep,. Small size bulb type varieties like Hoop-petticoat daffodils more shallow and closer together. In pots plant just below the surface.

Watering: Water thoroughly after planting. Keep moist. Water regularly during growth and flowering.

After Flowering Care: Remove spent flower heads and fertilizer with blood & bone or a complete fertilizer. Keep watered until leaves start to turn yellow. Do not remove leaves until completely dead. Daffodils store their energy for next years flower after this years flowers have finished until they die down.

Trouble Shooting: Very few problems are encountered by home gardeners. However two problems can occur -
Basal Rot can occur in the soil, particularly when large quantities of high nitrogen fertiliser have been used, or in storage when temperature is too high. Destroy bulbs with any sign of rot above the small hard section where the bulbs scales emerge. If the rot occurred in the ground, daffodils should not be replanted in the same spot for about 5 years.
Leaf Scorch: This fungal disease affects bulbs in warm, humid areas. The fungus is found at the top of the bulb scales so that emerging leaves are infected. The leaf tips are reddish and scorched, and later on brown spots appear further down the leaf. Eventually the tissue around these damaged areas goes yellow. Remove and destroy the affected leaves and spray copper oxychloride once a fortnight if symptoms persist.

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How to Grow Daylilies

Aspect Full sun to part shade.

Soil Any type.

Fertiliser Complete garden fertiliser or organic, Dynamic Lifter is excellent with the addition of Sulphate of Potash in the Autumn and Spring.

Depth & Spacing Plant to where leaves and roots meet, one metre apart.

Watering When planting, water well. These are very hardy plants which can tolerate dry conditions once established
but will not thrive without watering.

Flowering Flowers appear from late spring/early summer, some varieties flower thorughout the year. Plants can be left undisturbed for years.

Dividing Clumps can be divided easily by cutting ‘fans’ from clumps.

Trouble Shooting Aphids, Thrip and Spider Mite can attack them. Watering during the heat of day can control Thrip and Spider Mite. Or treat with any
recommend chemical spray.

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How To Grow Dutch Crocus

Planting Time: Autumn

Aspect: Sunny position to light shade. Grow best in cool to cold areas, but in warmer areas they will flower well the first year but may not flower in succeeding years because of insufficient winter chilling. Frost hardy. Can be grown well in pots.

Soil: Well drained with well decayed organic matter.

Depth & Spacing: Plant pointy end up, 5 cm deep and 5 cm apart. Can be left undisturbed for years.

Fertiliser: Light dressing of blood and bone both at planting and after flowering.

Watering: Avoid excess watering when corms are dormant. Water well at planting and then only if conditions are dry. Keep watered during growing season if needed.

After Flowering Care: Flower will appear late winter/spring. When flowers have finished remove spent flowers but not any foliage until they have died down. Keep watered while still green. During this time the foliage feeds back into the corm storing energy for next year’s flowers.

Trouble Shooting: Protect from snails and slugs.

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How To Grow Dutch Iris

Planting Time: Autumn-April/May.

Aspect: Full Sun to light shade with some protection from wind.

Soil: Free draining with decayed compost or manure dug in a month or so before planting.

Depth & Spacing: Plant 10-15 cm deep and 10-15 cm apart. Pointy end up.

Fertiliser: If the soil has been well prepared little or no fertiliser is needed. In poor soil a little blood and bone can be applied once leaves emerge.

Watering: Water well after planting. Keep moist, but not too wet. Give deep weekly watering during growth and flowering. Once foliage starts dying down, stop watering.

After Flowering Care: Allow foliage to die down naturally. Bulbs may be left undisturbed for several years or until the floral display begins to deteriorate. If you are lifting bulbs, do so as soon as the foliage dies down and store the clean bulbs in a mesh bag in a cool, dry, airy place.

Trouble Shooting: Few problems but bulbs rot easily if over watered or if the soil is poorly drained.

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How To Grow Dwarf Iris -Reticulata

Planting Time: Autumn-April/May.

Aspect: Full sun. Grow well in pots or ground

Soil: Well drained soil.

Depth & Spacing: Plant 12 cm deep and 8 cm apart. Pointy end up.

Fertiliser: Blood and bone, complete garden fertilizer.

Watering: Water well after planting. Keep moist, but not too wet. Once foliage starts dying down, stop watering.

Flowers Early spring, with several small blooms on short stems.

After Flowering Care: Remove spent flowers but not foliage. Leave foliage to die down naturally, as it will feed back into the bulbs for next years flowering energy. Top dress with blood & bone.

Trouble Shooting: Rust, fungal disease can affect the foliage. For control remove effected foliage or dusting with a sulphur powder.

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How To Grow Freesias

Planting Time: Autumn March- May

Aspect: Prefer full sun but tolerates very light shade for part of the day.

Soil: Almost any well drained soil. Richer soils give better quality blooms.

Depth & Spacing: Plant pointy end up 7-10 cm apart and 5 cm deep.

Fertilizer: A little complete fertilizer at planting and after flowering.

Watering: Water after planting. Keep moist until foilage starts to die.

After flowering Care: Remove spent flower stems unless you want plants to set seed and self sow. Can be left in ground for years undisturbed.

Trouble Shooting: Nothing specific.

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How To Grow Fritillaria

Prior to Planting: Store in a cool airy place.

Planting Time: Autumn when it has cooled down.

Aspect: Light shade to filtered light. Morning sun and afternoon shade.
Protect from strong winds.

Soil: Well drained containing plenty of well-decayed compost or manure. Mulched well.

Fertiliser: Blood & Bone after flowering or in early spring as growth starts. Good organic compost used as mulch adds nutrients.

Planting: 15 cm deep 10-15 cm apart.

Flowers: Spring.

Trouble Shooting: Trouble Shooting No specific pest or disease problems are known but bulbs are very susceptible to rotting unless the soil is very free draining. Over watering can cause problem.

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How to Grow Gladiolus

Planting Time: Autumn.

Aspect: Full Sun to part shade.

Soil: Well drained. Richer soils give better quality blooms.

Fertiliser:  A complete garden fertiliser or organic.

Depth & Spacing: Plant 10-15cm deep and10- 15cm apart

Watering:  Keep moist while growing.

Flowers:  Summer, December - March. Flowering time is approx. 90-120 days after planting.

Trouble Shooting: Thrips (appears as streaking/mottling on leaves & flower buds.) Treat with Confidor/Baythriod or a simular product. If left untreated thrips will stop flowers opening and eventually kill the whole plant.
Rust is a fungus which appears like groups of rust coloured dots on the leaves. Treat with Mancozeb or a simular product.

Storage Lift corns once foliage has died. Allow to dry in shade, dust with insecticide to prevent thrips. Store in a cool, dry place.

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How To Grow Grape Hyacinths

Prior to Planting: Store in a cool airy place.

Planting Time: Autumn April/May.

Aspect: Can be grown in full sun to part shade. Ideal for edges or pots, look wonderful when planted with miniature daffodils.

Soil: Well drained soil with plenty of organic matter incorporated before planting.

Fertiliser: Blood and bone with complete garden fertiliser at planting and after flowering.

Planting: Plant 5cm deep and 5-8cm apart. Can be left undisturbed for years.

Flowers: Spring.

After Flowering Care: When flowers have finished remove spent flowers but not any foliage until they have died down. Keep watered while still green. During this time the foliage feeds back into the corm storing energy for next year’s flowers.

Trouble Shooting: Protect from snails and slugs.

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How To Grow Hippeastrums

Planting Time: July- August.

Aspect: Filtered light, protection from hot sun desired. Can be grown in the
garden or pots.

Soil: Well drained, enriched with organic matter. In pots use a well drained
potting mix. Check pH is between 6.5 to 7.

Fertilizer: A well balanced liquid fertilizer applied fortnightly from planting to the end of April, or a slow release fertiliser. Dress with Sulphate of Potash early in Autumn to assist with next seasons flowering.

Depth & Spacing: Plant bulbs 20cm apart in the ground, in pots allow 3cm between side of pot and edge of bulb. Plant bulb with neck and shoulder above soil. Planting too deep can effect flowering. Form a mound in centre of pot/hole, spread roots over mound, fill with soil/potting mix until 2/3 of bulb is covered.

Flowering: First flowers can appear before leaves with a second flowering later in some varieties. Flowering commences early October.

Watering: Water thoroughly after planting, keep moist. Water regularly during growth and flowering. Stop watering during winter, May - July.

After Flowering Care: Remove spent or damaged foliage and flower heads. Can be left in the ground or pots for a number of years, repot when crowded.

Trouble Shooting: Snails, slugs, thrips, looper grubs and slaters. Fungus disease, leaf Scorch or Red Rust (Stagonospora Curtisii), treat with Benlate and Mancozeb regularly.

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How to Grow Hyacinths

Planting Time: Autumn-April/May.

Aspect: Do well in sun or part shade but not heavy shade. Hyacinths can be grown in the garden or pots so you can bring them inside to enjoy and even in a hyacinth glass vase in water.

Soil: Well drained and enriched with organic matter.

Fertilizer: A complete fertilizer or blood & bone at planting and after flowering, Sulphate of Potash .

Depth & Spacing: Plant bulbs 10-15 cm apart and 10-15 cm deep in pots, just under the surface. Mulch with compost.

Watering: Water thoroughly after planting. Keep moist. Water regularly during growth and flowering.

After Flowering Care: Remove spent flower heads and fertilizer with blood & bone or a complete fertilizer. Keep watered until leaves start to turn yellow. They can be left in the ground from year to year. In warmer areas they may benefit from prechilling and will need to be lifted.

Trouble Shooting: Generally no problems

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How To Grow Lachenalia - Soldier Boys

Prior to Planting: Store in a cool airy place.

Planting Time: Autumn April/May.

Aspect: Full sun or filted light.

Soil: Well drained soil.

Fertiliser: Blood and bone with complete garden fertiliser.

Planting: Plant 3-5cm deep and 5-8cm apart. Can be left undisturbed for years.

Flowers: Mid winter to mid spring.

Trouble Shooting: Overwatering or poorly drained soil will cause bulbs to rot Slugs and snails..

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How To Grow Lily of the Valley

Planting Time: July/August.

Plant: Immediately

Aspect: Deep shade to filtered light.

Soil: Ideally a moist, moderately rich soil

Fertiliser: They love a yearly application of well rotted animal manure or compost over winter.

Planting: Plant ‘pips’ 20cm below the surface and 5 cm apart.

Watering: Keep moist whilst growing

Flowers: Spring. Beautifully scented, lovely in a posy or a spray.

Trouble Shooting: Snails and slugs.

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How To Grow Liliums

Height: Oriental & Oriental Hybrids: 60-90cm , Asiatic & LA Liliums: 50-80cm.

Planting Time: (Plant immediatley on arrival) As the bulbs should not be allowed to dry out, you should keep them in the crisper of your fridge if you can’t plant them immediately.

Aspect: Semi shade or dappled light. Lilies thrive in filtered light in warmer areas but full sun is suitable in cooler area. Liliums also need some protection from strong winds and should therefore be planted between taller shrubs, under trees or by supporting with a stake or wire mesh.

Soil: Rich, moist, well drained & cool is ideal. Mulching can be very helpful in keeping the roots cool. In Pots - Good quality potting mix (this should include a wetting agent).

Fertilising: Top dress with a complete fertiliser twice annually, once at planting and again after flowering. We find that Liliums respond well if mulched with a layer of compost mixed with blood and bone.

Depth and Spacing: Dig hole 12cm deep and twice as wide as the bulbs to allow for the roots to spread out. Space Orientals 30-50cm apart Asiatics & LA’s 25-30cm apart.

Watering: Keep the soil moist, but not soggy, during the growing period.

Flowers: Late Spring, Summer depending on variety.

After flowering Care: Remove flowers as they die and then the whole stem once the foliage browns. Liliums are best left undisturbed. If you need to lift the bulbs because they are becoming over-crowded, dig the bulbs whilst they are dormant (late Autumn-Winter) and replant them immediately.

Cut Flowers: Liliums make breathtaking cut flowers as they are all long lasting and many have a delightful fragrance. When cutting the flowers, cut them only to the length you need so that the remainder of the stem can be left to build up the bulb for the following season.

Trouble Shooting: Snails, slugs, thrips, aphids. Bytryis fungal disease, treat with fungal spray to control.

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How To Grow Lycoris - Golden Spider Lily

Prior to Planting: Store in a cool airy place.

Planting Time: Summer/Autumn.

Aspect: Full sun or part shade.

Soil: Well drained soil.

Fertiliser: Blood and bone with complete garden fertiliser.

Planting: Plant mid to late summer with the neck of the bulb just below the surface of the soil 8-10cm apart. Can be left undisturbed for years.

Flowers: Autumn.

Trouble Shooting: Leaf with no flowers may occur if bulbs have been disturbed but will flower the following year.

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How To Grow Nerines

Prior to Planting: Store in a cool airy place.

Aspect: Full sun.

Soil: Well drained soil.

Fertiliser: Blood and bone with complete garden fertiliser.

Planting: Plant mid to late summer with the neck of the bulb just below the surface of the soil 8-10cm apart. Can be undisturbed for years.

Flowers: Autumn. Most varieties, flowers appear first them the follage after flowering, some varieities at the time of flowering.

Trouble Shooting: Leaf with no flowers may occur if bulbs have been disturbed but will flower the following year.

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How To Grow Peacokc Iris

Prior to Planting: Store in a cool airy place.

Planting Time: Autumn.

Aspect: Full sun.

Soil: Well drained with plenty of compost or well rotted manure dug into soil before planting.

Fertiliser: Blood and bone with complete garden fertiliser.

Planting: Plant corms 5 cm deep and about 10-15 cm apart.

Fertiliser: If planted in well-prepared soil they should not need fertilising
until the buds appear. Apply liquid fertiliser then and again after flowers have finished.

Watering: Water well after planting, keep moist. Once foliage starts dying down, stop watering.

After Flowering Care: Allow foliage to die down naturally. Bulbs may be left undisturbed for years, however if you have wet summer it is best to lift bulbs and store in a dry place and replant in the Autumnn. If you are lifting bulbs, do so as soon as the foliage dies down and store the clean bulbs in a dry, airy place.

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How To Grow Ranunculi - See Anemones Return to top

How To Grow Scillas - see Bluebells Return to top

How To Grow Snow Drops

Planting Time: Autumn March-May.

Aspect: Full sun or part shade.

Soil: Well drained - but are very adaptable. Will tolarate moist areas but not boggy soils. Enrich with organic matter.

Depth & Spacing: Plant pointy end up 5-7 cm deep and 3-10 cm apart in groups for best effect.

Fertilizer: Only after flowering with decayed manure or compost.

Watering: Water well after planting, then give deep weekly watering during growth and flowering. Once foilage starts dying down, stop watering.

After Flowering Care: Cut off spent flowers and fertilise, deep watered until leaves turn yellow. Allow foilage to die down naturally. Bulbs may be left undisturbed for years. If you are lifting bulbs, do so as soon as the foilage dies down and store the clean bulbs in a cool, dry, airy place.

Trouble Shooting: No specific problems

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How To Grow Triteleia

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Prior to Planting: Store in a cool airy place.

Planting Time: Autumn March-May.

Aspect: Open sunny position.

Soil: Almost any well drained soil, not especially rich.

Fertiliser: If desired, complete plant food when buds first appear. No other
fertiliser is necessary.

Planting: Plant 8-10 cm deep and 15-20 cm apart in autumn.

Watering: Keep moist whilst growing. Dry during summer.

Flowers: Spring or early summer depending on the area. Unless you want seed, cut off the flowering stem once it is past it peak.

Cut Flowers: Blooms last well as a cut flower.

Trouble Shooting: No specific pest or disease problems.

Storage: If in summer rainfall, lift corms once foliage has died. Allow to dry in shade, Store in a cool, dry place.

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How To Grow Tulips

Tulip Families and Characteristics

Single Early Tulips: Usually early flowering. Need to be chilled for cut flowers to get length of stem for picking. Good upright leaves.

Single Late Tulips: Tall elegant blooms which keep their true tulip shape to the end. Great for cut flowers. Well suited to warmer climates.

Triumphs: Medium height upstanding leaves. Great for potting or the garden. Good for cut flowers but need to be chilled to get good length in stems.

Darwin Hybrids: Grow to a medium height with broad leaves. Good for potting, but should be spaced wider to allow for leaves. Beautiful in mass planting.

Rock Tulips: Low growing varieties often with patterned leaves. Very effective as a border.

Double Tulips: Medium height with large (about the size of a saucer!) flamboyant flowers that have a lovely perfume. Spectacular in mass planting.

Fringed Tulips: Tall striking blooms with fringed, crystal like edges. Excellent for cut flowers.

Parrot Tulips: These exotic and flamboyant blooms are very eye-catching. With feathered and irregular petals in a variety of heights, they make an eye-catching splash in any garden.

Lily Flowering Tulips: Distinctive pointed petals which gently arch outward.
Growing Direction

Prior to Planting: Store bulbs in a cool airy place. Refrigerating bulbs is a technique you can use to persuade your bulbs to flower earlier. To successfully chill your tulips only use large flowering size bulbs, (10cm circumference and larger) and place them in an open paper bag or mesh bag in the vegetable draw of the fridge. Do no store with fruit or flowers as their gases will effect you tulip flowers. Chill for 6-8 weeks before planting. If you live in a warm climatic area it will be essential to chill your bulbs, however, in cooler areas with cold, frosty winter nights, nature will complete the process for you. Experiment and see what the response is in your environment. Plant immediately after removing from the fridge. Do not freeze the bulbs!

Planting Time: Autumn. Avoid planting until the occasional hot spells have finished and the soil has cooled down. We often plant mid May to end June.

Height: Chilling you bulbs will give you longer stems if you plant unchilled although the flowers will be the same the stem length will be shorter dependig on how cold your winter is. The warmer the climate, the shorter the height of each variety. As a general rule unchilled bulbs will grow to approximately half the height listed. As an example a Single Late Tulip will grow to approximately 60-70cm high unchilled it will grow to about 30-35cm.

Depth & Spacing: Plant bulbs pointy end up, 12-15 cm deep and 10-15 cm apart. In pots plant tulips just below the surface with flat side of bulbs facing the edge of the pot. This will have the leaves growing gracefully with a balanced look to the pot.

Aspect: In cool climates full sun to very light shade. In warmer climates tulips like a cool partly shaded spot. If growing in pots, place in full shade or a cool spot until tulips are approx 10 cm high.

Soil: Tulips enjoy well drained soil with a pH above 6. Wetter soils can benefit from being moulded into raised beds and the pH can be adjusted by the addition of lime or dolomite.

Watering: Tulips like to be kept moist. It is ideal to keep bulbs relativity dry whilst dormant.

Fertilizer: Incorporate a complete fertiliser and Blood & Bone into the soil before planting. Top dress with Sulphate of Potash after flowering while leaves are still green. During this time bulbs store their energy for next years flowering.

Flowering Time: Late winter to Spring.

After flowering Care: Cut off spent flower heads and top dress with Blood and Bone. Keep watered until foliage turns yellow then stop watering. When foliage has dried off loosen soil and lift bulbs. Allow bulbs to dry off (don't leave in direct sunlight) shake off dirt and remove old bulb material and store in mesh bag in a cool dry place. Alternatively you may choose to leave your bulbs in the ground. You can do this if you have free draining soil and cold winters to chill your bulbs. We have left some of ours in for up to three years and they have flowered beautifully each year. After three years they will become too crowded and the flowers will be smaller, so you will need to lift them and divide up for replanting.

Storage: Store bulbs in a mesh bag in a cool, airy dry place with temperatures of approximately 25C (inside at floor level). Protect bulbs during this time from insect attack by dusting with insecticide powder prior to storage.

Trouble Shooting:
Drying leaves and flower buds: This is often caused by Botrytis, spray with a fungal spray designed for ornamental plants (ask your local nursery).

Botrytis: appears as spots on leaves or flowers, treat with a Fungal Spray.

Foliage but no flowers: This is usually a result of bulbs becoming too hot (which cooks the flower bud). This can happen during storage or after planting. This is not the end of your bulbs, they will go through their growing cycle and set flowers for next year, so don’t give up on them!

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Potting Bulbs

Growing bulbs in pots is an easy and quick way to create a wonderful splash of colour that can be brought inside or placed in a spot in the garden that needs a cheerful highlight.

Bulb Numbers for Pots
The number of bulbs that can be grown in pots is really an individuals choice as to the look that is required. As long as the bulbs aren’t touching they will grow and flower. As bulb sizes for different varieties do vary, the number you can place in a pot will vary as well. For example, the size of Daffodils bulb varieties vary greatly, some are small while others are quite large.
These recommendation are for medium sizes bulbs e.g. Tulips
13-16cm Pot - 3 Bulbs
17-18cm Pot - 5 Bulbs
22cm Pot - 8 Bulbs
27cm Pot - 12 Bulbs

Planting Time: April to August. Tulips can be planted at regular intervals during this time. Using the same variety, planted at two weekly intervals, will give potted colour over months.

Soil: A general purpose potting mix or a free draining soil. Fertiliser- Blood and bone with a little complete garden fertilizer mixed into potting mix. Water with liquid fertiliser during growth.

Depth and Spacing: Plant approximately 1cm beneath the surface of the soil. (An easy way to do this is by filling pot to two thirds with potting mix, place bulbs evenly then fill with soil, covering bulbs by 1cm above the height of the bulbs). If planting into a deep trough, depth of planting can be the same as for the garden as there is plenty of room for root growth. Tulips have a flat side to the bulb, if this flat side is placed facing the edge of the pot you will get a nice shaped balanced look to the pot with the first large leaf forming over the edge of the pot.

Face flat side of tulip bulb toward outside edge of the pot. This will give you a balanced look to your pot with the first large leaf falling over the edge of the pot.

Do not put bulbs too close to the edge of the pot as heat from the outside can effect the flower inside the bulbs. (If bulbs become too hot the flower can abort and you will get only leaves, this is not the end of them as they will set a flower for the next year.) Tall varieties of tulips need to be planted deeper to support growth. Plant closer together in pots than in the garden, as long as bulbs are not touching.

Aspect: Place potted bulbs in a cool position until leaves are approximately 10cm high. (Leaves will then shelter bulbs from heat). Pots can then be put into a sunny position. Tall tulips can be affected by wind and can blow over so place pots in a sheltered position.

Watering: Keep moist, don’t over water as bulbs can rot.

Flowering: When in flower, pots can be taken inside to enjoy. However, if the pots are put out at night the flowers will last longer.

After flowering care: Keep moist until leaves start to turn yellow, then stop watering and place pot in cool place to die down. When leaves are dry, remove bulbs and store in a cool, dry place e.g. inside at floor level. Bulbs are best only for one year in pots then plant out.

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Food Cro

Food Crops

How To Grow Asparagus

Plant Immediately on arrival.

Aspect Full sun.

Soil Good loamy well drained soil.

Fertiliser Well rotted manure and Potato E fertiliser.

Planting Plant in Spring, 30cm apart with top crown just below the surface of soil. Leave undisturbed for years.

Picking Time Spring. Once established, crops will mature each spring for 10-15 years before needing to be replanted.

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How To Grow Rhubarb

Plant Immediately on arrival.

Aspect Full sun to light shade.

Soil Almost any well drained soil.

Fertiliser At planting, well rotted manure and Potato E fertiliser. Topdress with a complete garden fertiliser during growing season.

Planting Plant in Spring, 70-90cm apart, just below the surface of soil with top of crown where shoot is just showing.

Picking Time If planted in spring first picking will start in Autumn. Once established, picking can be throughout the year as stalks and leaves mature. To pick just pull stems from crown do not cut then from crown.
Leaves are poisonous and should not be eaten.

Trouble Shooting If too wet the crown will rot. Common pest are Black Beetle, cluster caterpillar, slugs and snails.

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