Spring might seem like a lifetime away, but the window for planting spring bulbs is here, and if you want to enjoy those daffodil blooms come April, then you may want to start planting your bulbs.
Luckily, growing daffodils is a simple task in the garden, and once the flowers are established, they really don't take much maintenance. Half the battle with these flowers is knowing when to plant spring bulbs and ensuring they have enough time to root in the soil so they are ready to produce impressive blooms when the time comes.
So you're not left asking if it's too late to plant daffodil bulbs come January, we asked a garden expert for advice on when the best time to plant is and why.
When should you plant daffodil bulbs?
If you're starting your September gardening jobs this month, you might be wondering whether now is a good time to consider planting your daffodil bulbs. The answer is yes.
"Daffodil bulbs can be added into your garden at any time during autumn, although the earlier you plant them, the better, as this allows them to take advantage of the warmth the soil has absorbed throughout the summer months, helping them to establish strong, healthy roots before winter," explains Lucie Bradley, garden expert at Easy Garden Irrigation.
"So ideally September through October are your peak planting months; however, even up to early December is acceptable, although this later planting is likely to delay and reduce the number of blooms which will be produced in their first year," she continues.
While they are a bulb you need to plant now for a colourful spring display, there is some leeway for the next couple of months.
Can you leave daffodil bulbs in the ground all year?
Once winter months arrive, you'll need to start protecting your plants from frost and heavy rain; however, planted daffodil bulbs are just fine where they are.
"Daffodil bulbs are hardy perennials that will perform to their best when they are left in the ground all year round so that they get the cold winter weather they need to trigger them to bloom in spring," Lucie explains. "At the same time, daffodils will naturally multiply to create larger clumps of bright yellow blooms year after year."
"If kept in their ideal conditions of well draining soil, average garden soil (neither too poor or too rich) and in a sunny spot in spring then you can expect daffodil bulbs to reliably bloom for decades in your garden - all you need to do to divide your daffodil clumps every three to five years to prevent overcrowding, which can lead to the bulbs being too closely packed to get all the nutrients they need resulting in more foliage and less blooms," she adds.
You might need to take precautions to keep squirrels out of your garden, as they tend to enjoy digging up bulbs before they've even had a chance to root.
How many daffodil bulbs should I plant together?
Whether you're planting a bulb lasagne with your daffodils or adding spring bulbs to your lawn this autumn, there are certain conditions in terms of spacing and how many bulbs can go in one spot.
"Although daffodils can be planted individually, it’s often recommended to plant them in drifts or clusters so that they provide the most impact," Lucie suggests.
"This means you are best to plant at least ten bulbs or more together, spacing individual bulbs 10 to 15cm apart so that they have the space to naturally split and multiply," she says.
"At the same time, your bulbs will have sufficient soil to provide for their nutrient requirements without too much competition and allow their roots to spread to gather in moisture without becoming too tangled with their neighbours."
Lucie explains that this type of spacing allows better air circulation as well, which helps to make your daffodils less susceptible to fungal diseases and rotting.
What is the best month to plant daffodils?
If you've stored your spring bulbs through summer, you may be wondering when the best month is to finally get them planted in your garden.
"While you can plant daffodil bulbs into your garden anytime from September through to the end of November, the ideal month is September as it not only means they can benefit from the residual heat in the soil from summer to help them produce strong roots before the arrival of winter, it also gives them the necessary 12 to 16 weeks of cold temperatures so that they break out of their dormancy and produce their buds in spring," Lucie explains.
"Planting later in the year often delays blooming and can reduce the height of their stems. It also increases the chances of fungal disease and rotting as they have to start producing roots and establishing themselves in soil which is likely to be wetter and colder," she continues.
Don't worry if you're too busy sorting your garden out to plant bulbs or pick some up later than expected; there's still a chance for blooms after December.
"However, if you are gifted with bulbs later in the year or have no chance but to plant later, then to increase your chances of the best blooms in their first year, improve the drainage of the soil by adding horticultural grit before planting and make sure you only plant healthy, firm bulbs," adds Lucie.
"Even if you have to plant them in December, you are still likely to get growth, but it may be all foliage with no flowers, as there is insufficient time for them to set their buds; however, they will naturally recover and in year two will produce the blooms which you would expect," she finishes.
Once you've enjoyed your daffodils, it's important to know what to do with them after flowering, as this will help ensure you can grow blooms again the following year.
