January is well underway and keen gardeners only have a few days to complete an important task.
An expert warned garden enthusiasts that it’s not too late to plant tulips - “but you really do need to get on with it”.
November is the ideal time to plant tulips - something to remember for later in the year - but January is still manageable.
For those who want to leave their tulips in the ground, the expert recommended planting them as deeply as possible.
September to November are ideal months for planting tulips
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According to the garden guru, four inches should be the minimum depth.
However, for those who want “a good show”, it’s best to plant an inch or two in the topsoil.
This is the perfect recipe for stunning tulips in springtime 2024 (around March 20 - June 20).
Garden enthusiasts who are using containers to plant their tulips should ensure that they have good drainage.
While tulips can withstand difficult conditions, they run the risk of rotting in damp soil.
Monty Don concluded: “This is a job to do by the middle of the month at the latest.”
When it comes to planting tulips, September to November are optimal for dry bulbs. If you can’t plant straight away, store them in a cool, dry place.
Perfect soil is not necessary for bedding border tulips, as they will flower fine as long as the ground isn’t saturated with water.
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Tulips should be planted as deeply as possible if you're leaving them in the ground
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As for where to plant them, go for borders between perennial plants or in containers on paved areas.
Or go for a decorative bedding scheme, combining tulips with other spring-flowering plants.
Specialist tulips may need specific growing conditions. Some will require lots of sun and plenty of drainage, so work well planted in gravel, rock gardens and plots in greenhouses.
Other specialist tulips will grow better in part-shade and damp soil, so beneath shrubs and trees.
