Thanks for all the advice, am delighted there is so much interest and advice out there. I like the idea of sourcing the grit cheaply by using a trade supplier; garden centres do charge a fortune for a tiny bag. Interesting also that people find the cheaper bulbs as reliable as the more expensive. Thanks for the link about wild daffodil bulbs Figrat, will definately have a look. I've given up on daffodil planters by the way and I just use a shovel!
Hi there, i have recently planted a large area of bulbs in quite a sodden/heavy soiled area of the garden I work in. I Cultivated the ground as best as possible then back filled with upside down turf and some good quality soil, as was previously a golf bunker that I emptied. Planted daffs, crocuses and tulips, and wish I had seen this forum before I did as am now a bit worried about how successful it is going to look next year. Have daffs growing in other sodden areas of the garden, is just the crocuses and tulips am a little unsure of? Am in a position where I could easily add more bulbs to the better soil above where I have planted the initial bulbs in the heavy soil. Is just I would not know what I was planting on top of, and if things were to be fine next year and the specimens grow that I have already planted, It could potentailly look a bit messy? The soil is quite wet where they are as peeled back the layers earlier today whilst working, hence the essay message.
any advice or guidance on this topic would be greatly appreciated, as am looking forward to hopefully seeing a colourful, natural looking area of bulbs next year, as are the clients am sure. Is a large area and have mass planted, so could it be potentially a case of some will survive and others may not ? If dont address this now if anybody potentially tells me it is necessary, i will be annoyed if it doesnt look as good as i have pictured in my mind as have spent alot of time on this task, and may have to look for a job elsewhere next year which would like to avoid.
Hi Lewis, I garden on heavy clay and think the display will look fine next Spring. The tulips probably won't come back very well the year after but the daffodils will probably love it. Some of the crocus types will do well, others may flag in subsequent years. Some large red or yellow tulips might repeat well depending on type, but I have to treat most of the fancy ones as annuals. Species tulips are a lot more tolerant:
Thanks very much for that Bob, has reassured me to a comfortable level. Is just has taken a fair few shifts to complete and was kicking myself after reading this forum due to concern whilst planting. Will have a look at your link as more tulips will be needed I think to keep the mixture consistent. Fortunately the majority of bulbs planted within the area are daffs, so hopefully any gaps will be minimum and can replant in next year.
Posts
Thanks for all the advice, am delighted there is so much interest and advice out there. I like the idea of sourcing the grit cheaply by using a trade supplier; garden centres do charge a fortune for a tiny bag. Interesting also that people find the cheaper bulbs as reliable as the more expensive. Thanks for the link about wild daffodil bulbs Figrat, will definately have a look. I've given up on daffodil planters by the way and I just use a shovel!
Hi there, i have recently planted a large area of bulbs in quite a sodden/heavy soiled area of the garden I work in. I Cultivated the ground as best as possible then back filled with upside down turf and some good quality soil, as was previously a golf bunker that I emptied. Planted daffs, crocuses and tulips, and wish I had seen this forum before I did as am now a bit worried about how successful it is going to look next year. Have daffs growing in other sodden areas of the garden, is just the crocuses and tulips am a little unsure of? Am in a position where I could easily add more bulbs to the better soil above where I have planted the initial bulbs in the heavy soil. Is just I would not know what I was planting on top of, and if things were to be fine next year and the specimens grow that I have already planted, It could potentailly look a bit messy? The soil is quite wet where they are as peeled back the layers earlier today whilst working, hence the essay message.
any advice or guidance on this topic would be greatly appreciated, as am looking forward to hopefully seeing a colourful, natural looking area of bulbs next year, as are the clients am sure. Is a large area and have mass planted, so could it be potentially a case of some will survive and others may not ? If dont address this now if anybody potentially tells me it is necessary, i will be annoyed if it doesnt look as good as i have pictured in my mind as have spent alot of time on this task, and may have to look for a job elsewhere next year which would like to avoid.
Hi Lewis, I garden on heavy clay and think the display will look fine next Spring. The tulips probably won't come back very well the year after but the daffodils will probably love it. Some of the crocus types will do well, others may flag in subsequent years. Some large red or yellow tulips might repeat well depending on type, but I have to treat most of the fancy ones as annuals. Species tulips are a lot more tolerant:
http://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/features/wildlife/growing-species-tulips/1119.html
Thanks very much for that Bob, has reassured me to a comfortable level. Is just has taken a fair few shifts to complete and was kicking myself after reading this forum due to concern whilst planting. Will have a look at your link as more tulips will be needed I think to keep the mixture consistent. Fortunately the majority of bulbs planted within the area are daffs, so hopefully any gaps will be minimum and can replant in next year.
Thanks again.