Monday 23 February 2015

Summer bulb roulette…

I haven’t blogged for a while. I don’t know why, maybe I don’t have much to say at the moment or maybe I just don’t need the stress. Today though, I have been thinking forward to summer and it made me want to tell you about it.

There have been signs of spring despite all the rain; a smattering of sunshine and long-tailed tits skittering around the feeders in Wales. I’ve put up another couple of nesting boxes in the holly tree and I have the scratches on my arms to prove it. Going up the ladders to fix the boxes has become a major challenge it seems, but if I get a pair of nesting blue tits – or even sparrows – it’ll be worth it.

Back at home my thoughts have turned to summer planting. I like to grow from scratch rather than raid the garden centre for an instant garden and this year I am trying something I’ve never really tried before. Over the last few weeks I’ve been planting summer bulbs. I’ve planted so many and in so many varieties that this morning, when I was positioning the latest couple of hundred, I kept meeting the couple of hundred I planted last week.

I didn't realise that I'd bought so many, they covered my garden table and only cost a tenner. Most of my bulbs have come from discount stores or pound shops and because of my lack of a planting plan I have no idea what is where, how the back yard will look when the bulbs come into their own, or even how much in total I have spent. This is new for me and I feel quite excited at the ‘risks’ I am taking.

The only rules that I've used are to plant in odd numbered clumps closely together ignoring the instructions and making sure that the smaller bulbs (oxalis, sparaxis, alium) are at the front of the border, taller ones (callianthus, homereia, ixia) behind them in the middle, and the lilies and really tall stuff at the back. I’ve also planted a few ‘specimen’ bulbs in strategic places, pots, and baskets (Peruvian daffodils, trailing begonia, tuberosa, mirabilis, crocosmia Lucifer).

I’ve lost count of how many bulbs I’ve planted, even forgotten some of the varieties as I foolishly didn’t keep all the labels. It’s a bit like playing gardening roulette and I have no clear picture in my head how it will look.

Of course I will still grow my sunflowers (some things can’t not be done) but I’m hoping that my experimental bulb garden will pretty much take care of itself. Time will tell I’m sure, but if they all come to flower it should at least be a colourful backyard this summer.

10 comments:

  1. Sharon Taylor on FB
    I like it, how exciting, it will be interesting to see what happens, keep us posted!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gloria Brownon FB
    So enjoyed reading this, excited about watching over the next few months

    ReplyDelete
  3. Andrew Height
    Sharon and Gloria I will be sure to let you know. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sue Mcnally on FB
    i love wilko and their range of gardening stuffs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew Height
      Yes Sue, I bought a huge Peruvian daffodil bulb for £1.50. Can't wait to see it.

      Delete
  5. Sharon Taylor on FB
    I am inspired, am popping to the shops after work to see what I can get bargain wise, I have a couple of pots to fill up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew Height
      Good hunting Sharon. Let me know what you buy.

      Delete
    2. Sharon Taylor
      probably only going to Poundland - but it will be a challenge to see what I can get!!!!!!!

      Delete
    3. Andrew Height
      They have a great range up here.

      Delete
    4. Sharon Taylor
      hopefully we have the same down in sunny Crayford :O)

      Andrew Height
      10 pastel shade begonias a fiver at Wilkinson's.

      Sharon Taylor
      can't get there myself until next week - I am chomping at the bit to get cracking in the garden......

      Andrew Height
      Get cracking then.

      Sharon Taylor Boo hoo, not much in my Poundland, only some Triteleia Queen Fabiola and some pale pink anenomes, but it is a start. Hopefully I will get to Wilkinsons within a week. I really like the look of your Peruvian daffs - copy cat that I am !!!
      15 hours ago · Like

      Andrew Height
      Wilcox 1.50 for a single huge bulb
      also bought 3 small ones for a quid at Home Bargains.

      Sharon Taylor
      Home Bargains? Why haven't I got one...................

      Andrew Height
      Home bargains is best for summer bulbs after wilco. Aldi have a great range in too... sad that I know all this.

      Sharon Taylor
      I just wish I could get to all these places, hopefully if I am not working full time I will be able to pick up more bargains.

      Delete