Planting Spring Bulbs in October: A Simple Guide for Seaham Gardens
A few bulbs planted now are one of the easiest ways to bring colour back to your garden in early spring. Daffodils, crocus and tulips need very little work once they are in the ground. Most of the effort is in choosing the right spot, preparing the soil and planting at the right depth.
This guide covers the basics for gardens in Seaham and across County Durham, based on advice from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
When to plant: it depends on the bulb
The RHS advises planting daffodils, crocus and hyacinths preferably by the end of September. If you have missed that, they can still go in now. The RHS notes that late-planted bulbs may not do so well in their first year, but bulbs that come back every year should improve in the years after.
Tulips are different. The RHS gives a planting window from September to November and suggests November as a good time for them, so October and the weeks ahead are fine. If you cannot plant straight away, keep the bulbs somewhere cool and dry until you can.
Check the bulbs before you start
Before planting, the RHS advises throwing away any bulbs that are soft or show signs of rot.
Choose a sunny spot that drains well
Most hardy bulbs, including tulips and daffodils, like a warm, sunny place with good drainage. Ground that stays waterlogged can drown roots. If your soil is heavy, or very light and sandy, the RHS recommends digging in organic matter such as garden compost before planting.
Autumn is a good time to get borders ready anyway. Pull out weeds while the soil is soft, clear away collapsed plants and rake off fallen leaves, so you can see where existing plants are and where there is space for bulbs.
How deep and how far apart
The RHS rule of thumb is to plant bulbs at two to three times their own height. For a bulb about 5cm tall, that means a hole 10–15cm deep. Daffodils need the deeper end: the RHS recommends a depth of three times the bulb's height for them.
Put each bulb in with the pointed end or shoot facing upwards, and space them at least twice the bulb's own width apart. For tulips in very cold winters, the RHS suggests planting a little deeper to protect them from frost. If tulips fail to flower because they were planted too shallowly, replant them at a depth of at least three times their own height.
Bulbs in pots
No space in the borders? Bulbs grow well in containers by the door or on a patio. For a one-season display, the RHS suggests a mix of three parts peat-free multi-purpose compost to one part grit. Plant at a depth of about three times the bulb's own height, about one bulb's width apart, and water once after planting. After that, keep the compost moist but not waterlogged.
Bulbs planted closely in pots for a short display can be moved into the garden after flowering and planted more deeply there.
After flowering: leave the leaves
It is tempting to tidy daffodils away once the flowers fade, but the leaves are feeding the bulb for next year. The RHS advises removing faded flowers, then waiting until the foliage turns yellow before cutting it down – usually about six weeks after flowering ends. Do not tie the leaves into knots to keep them neat. Cutting them too early can mean fewer flowers next spring.
This is worth remembering if you plant bulbs near the lawn edge: leave the leaves uncut until they have yellowed, even if the grass around them needs mowing.
Need a hand getting your borders ready?
Bulbs are much easier to plant in a clear, weeded border. Farmer & Co. helps with tidying borders, clearing leaves, lawn mowing and hedge trimming in Seaham and across County Durham. See our services and prices.
For other jobs to do this season, read our autumn garden checklist for Seaham.
Tell us your postcode and which jobs you need help with. Email hello@farmerandco.co.uk and we send you a fixed price for the work.