Planting late winter- and spring-flowering

These are fleshy, rounded, underground storage organs, usually sold and planted while dormant. Examples include daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, lilies, onions and garlic. The term is often used to cover other underground storage organs, including corms, tubers and rhizomes.

• Spring-flowering bulbs, such as daffodils, crocuses, snowdrops, grape hyacinths

• Bulb planter or trowel

• Hand fork

• Spade (if lifting areas of turf)

• Cane or sharp stick (for planting small bulbs)

1. Buy spring-flowering bulbs in autumn

   Choose from the many different varieties of snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils, grape hyacinths, scillas and small tulips. Select firm, undamaged bulbs with no signs of mould. For more on which bulbs are suitable, see our guide to naturalising bulbs.  

2. Choose an area of grass

   Pick a spot that can be left unmown throughout the early part of the year and that isn’t walked on regularly. Most bulbs like a sunny spot. 

3. Create a natural look

   Simply scatter handfuls of bulbs and plant them where they land. Make a hole for each one using a trowel or bulb planter, to a depth of three times the bulb’s height. For very small bulbs, you can make holes with a sharp stick. 

4. Plant the bulbs

   Drop the bulbs into their holes, making sure the pointed tip is facing upwards. Then cover with soil, or replace the plug of turf removed by the bulb planter, and firm down. 

5. Bunch together small bulbs

   You can plant several small bulbs into one large hole, to produce a clump of flowers. 

6. Lift the turf if you have lots of small bulbs

   In a limited area, it’s often easier to lift the turf and plant into the soil beneath. Use a sharp spade to cut the letter H into the lawn, to a depth of about three times the height of the bulbs. Use the spade to slice under the turf, then roll back the two flaps. 

7. Scatter and plant small bulbs 

   Lightly fork the bare soil and scatter bulbs across it, planting them where they land with the pointed end facing upwards. 

8. Cover the bulbs over

   Put the flaps of turf back in place and firm gently. Fill any gaps with soil or garden compost and water well so the grass keeps on growing. 

9. Avoid mowing the following spring

   Avoid mowing the planted area, to allow the leaves to grow and the flowers to open, bringing cheery colour to your lawn.  

10. Start mowing after flowering

    Allow the foliage to die back and turn yellow, which generally takes about six weeks after flowering. Then you can start regular mowing. 

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