The gardening expert has warned against carrying out a certain activity this month
As March marks the arrival of spring, our gardens are set to burst back into life with a host of tasks for keen gardeners to get stuck into. But whilst there are many jobs to be done, a gardening expert is urging people to hold off on one job until at least June.
Bulb planting comes highly recommended for ensuring blooms throughout the year. But whilst it may be tempting to neaten up your plants, gardening guru Monty Don has issued a word of warning for fellow enthusiasts.
The seasoned horticulturist, 69, told gardeners: “Do not cut back, tie or tidy the leaves of any bulbs but let them die back naturally as next year’s flower is being created by the photosynthesis of the foliage.
“Leave them until the last trace of green has gone – which will be at least June – and then tidy them or cut back.”
Echoing Monty, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) suggests holding off pruning bulb plants for at least six weeks post-flowering, reports the Express.
The recommended approach is to snip away only the dead and yellowed parts of the plant, resembling straw in texture, while maintaining regular watering and feeding routines for the bulbs until they reach this phase.
Gardeners are advised to ensure that leaves have unobstructed access to sunlight to facilitate photosynthesis, so bending, braiding, or hiding leaves under adjacent plants are discouraged.
The ease of growing spring plants can vary depending on the variety, but daffodils and tulips are among the simplest to cultivate.
Daffodils flourish best in well-drained areas, avoiding full shade and south-facing walls. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) advises planting daffodils at a depth twice that of the bulb, which is typically between four and six inches deep, and spacing them four to eight inches apart.
Tulips are best planted between October and November, with their blooming period usually falling between March and May. They prefer full sun exposure and should be planted at a distance of at least twice the width of the bulb, at a depth two or three times the height of the bulb.
Although most tulip varieties are better off being replaced annually due to their propensity not to reflower after the first year, there are certain exceptions. Varieties such as narcissus actaea and narcissus carlton are renowned for their ability to rebloom each year.