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Bulbs in containers - Monty's advice ...

BerkleyBerkley Posts: 431
in Plants
We have a major problem with squirrels and I have stopped growing the many varieties of rockery tulips that I love so much..... But I was delighted with the small pots of three tulips that I bought from Wyevale last February and would like to try the same technique. (I planted them straight in to the garden.). A few weeks ago, either on the GW programme or in the magazine, Monty Don covered this topic. I'm sure he suggested that there was no need to plant the bulbs as deep as if they were outside. Did I imagine it? It wouldn't be the usual advice - but would really suit my plans. Does anyone else remember what he said? (Memory powder for Christmas please).

Posts

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    If you only want the Tulips to last one year, you can plant them much shallower than if you want to give them the best chance of being perennial.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • barry islandbarry island Posts: 1,847
    I saw George Anderson from Beechgrove put chicken wire over bulbs that he planted very shallow in really loose compost to stop mice eating them, as much as I think that George A is a really knowledgeable gardener I cant see that a bit of wire will stop mice if they really want the bulbs. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Bear in mind that large bulbs are unlikely to be dug up by squirrels if planted at the correct depth. They'll generally take the smaller ones which are nearer the surface.
    Tulips will still tend to be shorter lived anyway, except for the  Appledoorns and the early species types. Your soil conditions also has a bearing on the longevity of the big blousy ones. 
    If it's the species types you have Berkley, they'll mainly be smaller bulbs, but you can plant deeper and also use some chicken wire, to minimise damage.  :)

    You can also just leave the chicken wire in place - no need to remove. It helps give bulbs support, especially things like alliums which often have mounds of floppy foliage long before the flowerhead opens. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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