Doing this gardening job this October will mean that you are treated to a gorgeous burst of colour come springtime, providing some much-needed cheer after the cold winter
Don’t miss your chance to invite some springtime colour into your outdoor space by skipping this gardening task.
There’s so much to do in the garden in the Autumn to get ahead and make sure that your garden is primed and prepped to look its best next year. Whether you have a vast outside space, or simply a patio garden or an apartment balcony, by doing this gardening task this month you ensure that as soon as spring arrives you will be greeted by a much-needed boost in the form of a gorgeous burst of colour – providing some optimism after the long grey winter months during which you will have endured some unpleasant frosty temperatures.
From soil maintenance and mulching to pruning back your established plants, autumn comes with a long to-do list for keen home gardeners, but there is one job that always feels more that bit more exciting and pleasurable in October: planting your spring bulbs.
October is a great month for planting most spring bulbs because the soil is still pretty warm, which allows them to establish themselves and grow roots before going dormant in winter – according to the experts at Gardener’s World. The sky is the limit when it comes to what you fancy planting in your outdoor space, because most bulbs do really well in beds and borders – make sure to take a long weekend visit to your local garden centre for a leisurely browse, because Gardener’s World recommend you buy and plant as “many spring bulbs as you can afford or have room for – they really do look best planted en masse, whether in the ground or in pots. Some will happily naturalise in undisturbed areas under trees or in lawns, creating a natural-looking carpet of colour.”
Some of the earliest blooms to appear in the new year are understated snowdrops and colourful crocuses, the bulbs of both of which can be planted at this time of year – you will thank yourself later when they pop up and remind you winter is finally over.
Hyacinths and daffodil bulbs should also be planted now, as can stunning alliums – which will bring some architectural drama to your beds and containers – Reticulate iris, and English bluebells. If you’re a lover of tulips, Gardener’s World recommends you hold off until November to plant these bulbs, however, which come in so many gorgeous shades.
If you have an impressive-sized lawn, the experts at the National Trust recommend you “try planting crocus bulbs in drifts for a vibrant colour show in early spring,” but if your display of spring blooms will be limited to containers, then “use a peat-free compost and really pack your bulbs in for a great display – you can even layer them up for a succession of colour.”
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