Garden Q&A: Is there still time to plant spring bulbs in November? 

Whether you're a gardening beginner or expert, Irish Examiner columnist Peter Dowdall has the answer to your questions    

Now is the time to plant bulbs for masses of spring colour next year. File picture

Question

Can I still plant spring bulbs at this time of year, or is it too late?

Answer

Not at all, it’s definitely not too late to plant spring bulbs. In fact, November is the perfect time for many of them, especially tulips. They actually prefer being planted now, once the soil has cooled, as it helps prevent fungal problems like tulip fire.

Spring-flowering bulbs are good for pollinators. File picture

 

Daffodils, crocuses, alliums, and hyacinths can all still go in, too, if the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged. The key is drainage; bulbs hate sitting in soggy soil. 

If your garden tends to stay wet, plant them in raised areas, pots, or mix in some grit to improve drainage. Plant about two or three times their depth, pointy end up. 

Once planted, they’ll quietly start producing roots through winter, ready to burst into life in spring — so don’t rush indoors yet, get those bulbs in, and you’ll thank yourself when the garden wakes up bright and cheerful next year.

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