Starting back at work this week, albeit at home, was a bit of a shock to the system after a relaxing Christmas break. It’s been full on, but I’ve still managed to get away from my desk for several bursts of #15greenmins.
I was particularly chuffed to get some Tulip bulbs planted in a new trough overlooking my patio. They are Tulipa ‘Purissima’ (White Emperor), an elegant cultivar with large creamy white petals and a short (35 cm) sturdy stem – ideal for pots.
First, I positioned the bulbs where I wanted to plant them.
Right tool for the job
Then, rather than dig out a trench or holes with a trowel, I used a bulb planter to make 30 individual holes. I highly recommend getting a bulb planter, as they make the job a lot easier. They come in different sizes, depending on what bulbs you are planting. I have found that this one works well for daffodils, tulips and alliums.
The sharp metal head of the planter cuts through the soil to just the right depth (4 inches) and extracts a large neat plug of earth.
Then, all I had to do was pop the bulbs into the base of the holes, pointy end up, and cover them with soil.
If the soil is heavy, it’s a good idea to add some grit or compost to the base of the hole before planting the bulb.
It really did only take 15 minutes to plant 30 bulbs, so I was able to get back to my desk before my toes went numb with the cold!
