Although August is still considered the height of Summer, it will not be too long before Autumn arrives with crisper, fresher air and shorter, cooler days. However, it is worth thinking about and planning the planting of Spring Bulbs. Spring bulbs start appearing for sale in shops, garden centres and on market stalls from late August onwards.
You can begin planting bulbs in beds, pots and containers from September. Planting can take place until early December before the harsher days of Winter arrive. As a general rule, bulbs should be planted at about 3 times their depth. So, bigger bulbs like daffodils need to planted deeper in the soil than smaller crocus bulbs.
Plant crocus bulbs close together in lawns and rockeries for a large swathe of colour in late Winter. Daffodils appear later during March and also look good planted in groups. Tulips flower after daffodils and come in such a variety of colours from yellow and reds to whites and mauves. Sadly, tulip blooms will suffer in windy, wild weather. Lily of the Valley is perfect for any shady spots and bluebells are also happy to grow in shady, damp areas of the garden. Most people think of hyacinths as ideal for growing on windowsills indoors but they are surprisingly hardy and will survive outside in beds and borders too.
