Planting daffodil bulbs is one of the best jobs you can do in your garden. This is because, when you plant daffodil bulbs, you know that you are doing something that will bring you everyone that sees your garden, a great deal of joy in spring - and for years to come.
Daffodils are just the best - certainly one of the most popular spring flowering bulbs around. That first sign that the days are going to get lighter, the weather will get warmer and full blooms are just around the corner.
We could write thousands of words on what we love about daffodil flowers, but instead today we are going to cover everything you need to know about how and when to plant daffodil bulbs. By the time you have finished this blog, you will know everything you need to create dazzling displays in your garden every Spring.
When to plant daffodil bulbs
Timing is everything when you want to plant bulbs. You need to give them chance to develop strong root systems before growing season starts, to give them the best foundations on which to grow.
The best time to plant daffodils is in early autumn - ideally September. This is because you are unlikely to experience a sharp cold snap in those early days, which could harm young roots. Give them plenty of time while the soil temperature is still quite moderate, before the harshness of winter kicks in and the ground freezes.
This is the same whether you are planting daffodils in beds or in containers.
How to plant daffodil bulbs
Bulb planting is pretty straightforward once you've done it a few times, but we want to provide a fool-proof guide to planting daffodils, so you can keep referring back to it whenever you need it. So we'll take it step-by-step:
Where to plant daffodil bulbs
Before you start, you need to decide where you want these fantastic little spring flowers to emerge next year. The good news is that daffodil plants are pretty robust and versatile, but they do tend to best in sunny spots and in well drained soil. Each variety of daffodil is slightly different, though, so it's a good idea to check to see where your preferred daffodil bulbs will thrive. Some may be fine with light shade.
Our tip is to grow daffodils where you most want to see them. It's likely to still be chilly in early spring, when they first appear, so make sure you can see them from inside. Maximise the joy that they emit.
Before you plant
A little bit of preparation at this stage will make things much easier, and ensure that all the energy you put in isn't wasted. It's all easy to do, and it will just ensure your bulbs get the best possible start.
First of all, dig over the soil to loosen it a bit. The roots will need to grow and reach down, so the looser the soil, the easier this process will be, and the stronger the root system will become.
Next, remove all weed growth from the area. Again, this early stage is critical for growing daffodils - they need to get plenty of nutrients and water so that they can grow their roots. They aren't yet big or string enough to compete with weeds for those vital resources.
This is a great opportunity to use a garden fork and mix in plenty of organic matter or multi purpose compost. This will bring with it plenty of those valuable nutrients that your daffodil bulbs will need so badly, so the better the soil, the better the growth. You could also add in a fertiliser at this point, if you feel that it may need an extra little boost.
Planting daffodil bulbs
To plant your bulbs, simply dig a small planting hole with a hand trowel or a bulb planter if you have one. The hole should be the depth around three times the height of the bulb, and about the same width as the bulb - a little wider so it fits in comfortably. If you are planting in a row, make sure it is two bulb widths away from the next bulb.
Then you can place the bulb in the hole, with the 'nose' (the shoot) facing upwards. Once that's done, you can replace the soil, and then use the back of a rake or spade to pat down the soil - being careful not to go too hard which could damage the bulb.
The next step is watering - give it a decent drink as not only will this give it a nice drink, but it will also help to settle the soil around the bulb, and remove any air pockets. Just make sure you don't over water, as this may cause root rot.
Ongoing care for daffodil bulbs
You may not need to water your daffodil bulbs again after that - due to the time of year, they'll get plenty of water from rain. Some varieties may benefit from a high-potassium liquid feed the week after they've been planted, this could encourage flowering.
After that, you can leave daffodil bulbs to their own devices - and wait until spring when you can enjoy some beautiful blooms. You don't need to naturalise bulbs, they'll do that by themselves.
Daffodil bulbs
So there you have it, everything you need to know to plant daffodils. But don't stop there, with a little planning you can create amazing displays using flower bulbs of different varieties - use plenty of spring bulbs, like narcissus bulbs, and you can ever layer them so you have blooms from early spring to late spring and beyond!
We stock a range of bulb planting accessories as well, so you have everything you need for incredible garden displays, all in one place.
