Beloved British gardener Monty Don is back with yet more gardening tips that are vital for you at this time of year. Monty has one particularly useful trick up his sleeve
Gardening legend Monty Don has yet more vital tips for gardens and says one key trick is vital this autumn.
Monty, 69, knows all too well the care British gardeners will be taking as temperatures cool this autumn and into winter. Knowing what to do to ensure your garden is blooming into life come spring is important.
The horticulturalist said that one key trick is the “biggest and most important” for September and October. Monty said he has been adding grit into his compost mix ahead of planting bulbs, many of which should be planted now so they are ready for spring.
On Gardeners’ World, he said: “We’re at that time of year when planting spring bulbs is the biggest and essential job for the rest of this month and throughout October. I try and get in all my spring bulbs both into the ground, into grass, into pots – except for tulips. So daffodils, irises, scillas, muscari. And some hyacinths.”
Drainage is key for spring bulbs and Monty revealed he used a pot with a large drainage hole at the bottom and with side drainage. He also covered the bottom with a crock.
At this time of year, the ground is still warm so it is the ideal time for planting some bulbs. Monty said previously: “And really, most bulbs are better planted in September, if you can get it done. It’s not essential; you can plant in October, and tulips shouldn’t be planted till November and December.”
When planting, bulbs should have at least their own height of soil above. Planting hyacinths, Monty put six in a pot and added grit to stop compost from “capping”, which is what happens when a mix of soft and hard compost occurs.
Monty also spoke of the importance of a good planter. He said: “”A good bulb planter, if you’re planting any amount of bulbs, will be worth its weight in gold and will last for years and years because the important thing with bulbs is you do need to plant them at the right depth.”
TikTok user ‘plant_daddyuk’, also known as ‘Michael’, said that autumn is the “perfect time to get your spring flowering bulbs in the ground or pots.” He advised gardeners to plant a range of bulbs that will bloom in the spring next year, advising that September to November was the best time to plant.
In a post on October 15, Michael said that tulips are one of the best flowers to plant at this time of year. BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine also said tulips are “perfect for adding colour to borders in April and May and grow very well in pots”. The magazine advised: “Tulips are spring bulbs, planted in mid to late autumn. Tulips are technically perennial, but years of breeding to get the most beautiful blooms means that many varieties only flower reliably for one year. Many gardeners plant new bulbs each autumn to ensure a good display. If you’re growing tulips in pots, you need to plant fresh bulbs each year.”
In his video, Michael also advised that muscari, alliums, daffodils and fritillaria are all great flowers to plant. This set of flowers will provide gardeners with a wide range of colours once spring arrives.
