The Bulb-a-thon
It’s still technically autumn and so here on the farm, bulb planting continues. It has to be said, that bulb planting isn’t solely for the autumnal months; you can do it well into the winter as long as the ground isn’t frozen. But planting bulbs in the fall allows for a little root growth. This beds the bulbs in so they’re ready to get going when spring’s warmer weather arrives and puts them ahead of later planted individuals. And there are some bulbs of course, such as snowdrops and crocus, that really do need planting relatively early because of their flowering time.
I managed to get several hundred bulbs planted in the raised beds about a month ago but every time I’ve walked into my shed since, there’s been that sense of guilt. Packets of daffodils and a few tulips still litter the bench and are sat in boxes, some of which had roots and green tips trying to grow through the netted bags. Today, after a somewhat cold couple of weeks, the sun was out - though hidden behind a thin cloudy haze and it was mild enough to be in a T-shirt. So the ideal time to finish off the bulbs; or at least make a major dent.
I’m planting the majority of my bulbs in raised beds in some new landscaping I’m doing by the parking area. I could have put them inside the flower farm but as daffodils are perennial, I though using them as a landscaping device whilst also making them easy to harvest, would work well. The area I wanted becomes fairly wet during the winter though, so raised beds was the only option to avoid rot.
A beautiful box of goodies from Dutch Bulb
I have received the most fantastic box of goodies from Dutch Grown. I HIGHLY recommend you check them out! Whilst I only expected daffodils, and perhaps a few tulips and crocus, they have absolutely filled the package with goodies, from allium and snowdrops, to ixia and star flowers; the latter two I’ve not grown before. I’ll be putting the daffodils and tulips in the raised beds, but around the farm I’m undertaking quite a bit of landscaping too. So the crocus and snowdrops will go along the newly revived ditch outside the pheasantry and the others? I’m unsure! I will have fun finding a designated spot.
As you can see from my planting (above), I’ve laid the daffodils out with quite a bit of space, whilst packed the tulips tightly together. Daffodils are perennial, and though this could be said of tulips, if you’re using them as cut flowers, they’re definitely an annual as you tend to pull them with the bulb. Daffs, however, you simply cut the stems and overtime they will propagate themselves so I wanted to leave enough room so I don’t have to lift and divide them every year.
I’ve also had a lot of fun planting up The Lookout to create a wild-looking garden but using ornamentals such as herbs and bulbs. So I definitely intend on putting more tulips up there along with some other goodies from this box.
At this time of year I can find it difficult to motivate myself with the short damp days. With December 21st only just around the corner, despite it officially being the first day of winter, I’m excited to get all these projects for 2022 started.