Saturday, the sky was grey, light levels were low and it rained. However, I really was quite happy to be outside planting tulip bulbs by the hundred. I concerned myself with imagining all the new colour combinations that these bulbs will create from April onwards. Here’s hoping for a mass of orange, white, rich red, maroon, toffee, deep purple and cream.
Mixing in curry powder when planting, is definitely one way to attempt to keep rodents off the bulbs . In another garden I work in, chicken wire also goes on as an additional layer, as we have known dozens of bulbs to literally disappear.
Judy and Martin’s garden design project is very much all about leaving non pernicious plants to self seed. Whilst bulb planting on Saturday, anything that had self seeded into the containers remained, and I placed the bulbs around them. The first image below , is the spring flowering forget- me -not.
All the remaining images are self seeded plants, which we are leaving to mature in the garden. Roses, evening primrose ,foxgloves, toad flax, violets and dandelions will provide an abundance of nectar rich planting for foraging insects and garden wildlife over the coming years. Additionally these self setting plants provide invaluable cover for the soil over winter, helping to protect against winter erosion from strong wind, snow, ice and rain.
If like me, you have not quite started planting your bulbs there is still time. Be like me, and make some time in December.
Sally Wicks 