As winter tightens its grip across Britain, bringing frosty mornings and even snowfall to some regions, the thought of gardening might seem like a distant memory. However, horticultural experts and seasoned gardeners are delivering a welcome message: it is absolutely not too late to plant bulbs for a spectacular spring display.
Community Wisdom on Late Planting
The question on many gardeners' minds was recently voiced by a novice on the popular GardeningUK Reddit forum. They asked, "Do you think I'm still ok to buy bulbs and get them into the ground this year? If so, where are you guys buying yours from? Am thinking daffies, tulips, crocuses and the like."
The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive and unanimous. One user offered immediate reassurance, advising, "Plant away, the soil is still relatively warm despite the current weather. They'll be fine." Another contributor expanded on this, noting the flexibility of modern planting times: "You can plant them up until mid Jan I'd say and they'll be fine! The weather is so bonkers now. I've planted daffodils in late January and they came up in April."
What and When to Plant
One experienced gardener provided a more detailed planting timetable, offering crucial guidance for those looking to maximise their chances of success. They recommended that the following bulbs should be planted as soon as possible:
- Snowdrops
- Fritillaries
- Cyclamen
- Crocus
- Dutch iris
- Lilies
For other popular varieties, the advice varied. Narcissus, hyacinth, and allium are ideally planted sooner but can tolerate being planted later. Interestingly, for tulips, the suggestion was that "later is better", with the explanation that they do not start rooting until the weather turns properly cold.
The forum was also a source of practical tips for different gardening situations. When one user asked about container gardening, a fellow enthusiast confirmed, "Yes absolutely, at worst the earlier spring bulbs just flower a bit later. Anytime up till end of December has never caused me any problems."
Creative Ideas and Expert Backing
A particularly creative suggestion from the thread was the "bulb lasagne" method. This involves planting bulbs at different depths in a single container to create a long-lasting display. "Do a bulb lasagne of flowers that bloom at different stages and it'll look good for months," the user explained. "You plant them at different levels in a pot. Largest bulbs at the bottom. Add a couple of winter pansies to the top of the pot for colour now."
This community knowledge is supported by established horticultural authorities. BBC Gardeners' World confirms that November is an excellent time for gardening momentum. They advise that sowing seeds and planting bulbs now gives you a head start, bringing flower and harvest times forward and easing the busy spring schedule.
Specifically, they recommend sweet peas sown in November for earlier flowers, and confirm that tulips and alliums are among the best bulbs to plant this month. Furthermore, November presents a prime opportunity to plant bare-root fruit trees like apple, pear, cherry, and plum, as well as fruit bushes, which lie dormant over winter before bursting into growth in the spring.
The consensus is clear: grab your trowel and take advantage of the discounted bulbs still available in garden centres. As long as the ground isn't frozen, you can still create a beautiful spring garden.
