Most people love lasagne in some form or another, but how many of you are hooked on lasagne when it comes to planting bulbs? Just like making lasagne, this planting is done in layers and the recipe is easier than you think. 

The key to effective bulb layering is to plant the bulbs according to size or seasonal blooming period –  i.e. from largest to smallest or from late flowering to early flowering. So, the later the flower blooms, the deeper you should plant the bulb. Gardeners can layer their bulbs either in flower beds or in containers such as terracotta pots and wooden planters – just make sure you have big drainage holes in the bottom to ensure the bottom bulbs don’t rot before they’ve had a chance to grow.

This is how you do it:

• Place broken terracotta pot chips or pebbles at the bottom of your chosen planter to stop the roots from clogging up the drainage holes.
• Add at least 5cm of potting soil to the pot.
• Place your first layer of spring-loving flower bulbs now. Add the largest ones in your selection or the ones that flower latest in the season (Hyacinths and Daffodils), spacing them about 8cm from one another. For example Hyacinth or Daffodils. You can pack them in, but make sure they aren’t touching.  
• Cover the bulbs with about 5cm of potting soil.
• Next, add the middle layer of bulbs, such as the smaller Narcissus, Anemone or Bearded or Dutch Iris varieties. These will work well as the second layer if spaced accordingly.
• Add another 5cm of potting soil.  
• And now for the final layer of bulbs! Carefully plant what’s left in your seasonal selection – the bulbs that are the smallest, like Muscari, Freesia, Leucojum or Ipheion,  or those that flower first. Finish off with a final layer of soil and a good dose of Bulb Food (which you should apply monthly thereafter) and water thoroughly.
• You can also plant up the top of the container with some winter annuals to create a lovely display until the bulbs start coming through. 

What are you waiting for? Get ‘baking’ by planting bulbs in layers. Gorgeous floral displays become more beautiful the more you add to them. Layering the right ‘ingredients’ will give the most wonderful effect. Encourage a luscious array of vibrant blooms this spring by planting your bulbs and making sure you feed them well with Hadeco Bulb Food.