Patch & Pot
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Lesson 2

Late and deep

Late and deep

Plant tulip bulbs LATE — November or even December. Cold winter soil kills off tulip-fire fungus and ensures strong stems.

Plant DEEP — 3 times the height of the bulb (so for a 5 cm bulb, 15 cm deep). Tulips planted shallow flop and dwindle; deep ones return for years.

In pots, use a 30 cm-deep tub, bulbs almost touching, 10 cm of compost above. For a long display, plant a 'lasagne': late tulips bottom, mid tulips middle, narcissus/crocus on top.

The tulip lasagne pot

  1. 1Crocks at the bottom of a 30 cm-deep pot for drainage.
  2. 25 cm of compost, then late tulips (May-flowering), pointed-end up.
  3. 3Cover with 5 cm of compost, add mid-season tulips (April).
  4. 4Cover with 5 cm of compost, add narcissus or early tulips.
  5. 5Top with crocus or muscari. Mulch with grit to deter squirrels.
  6. 6Water once after planting, then leave in a cool, sheltered spot.
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