How to force bulbs

Bring the subtle colours of February and March forward into the New Year by planting bulbs indoors in autumn, creating your very own early spring

By Emma Mitchell

October 25th, 2018 at 11:29 am

Don’t wait for March to enjoy a sumptuous display of spring flowers, plant now and brighten up your New Year with your very own wintertime garden.

Here’s how to force bulbs:

You will need

Spring bulbs from garden centre – crocus, hyacinth, daffodil, miniature iris, grape hyacinth and Siberian squill/scilla all work well
Containers – anything from enamel bowls to jam jars or small galvanised buckets will do
All-purpose compost or bulb fibre
Pea gravel or pieces of broken clay flower pot
Black bin bag/old fabric

Step 1

Plant pots — Jam jars or old clay pots work well and can be decorated

Step 2

Add a little gravel to the bottom of your pot to encourage draining

Put a layer of compost in the bottom of your container (over the gravel if you are using it) and place your bulbs on top of this layer. Try not to allow them to touch each other as this might cause them to rot. Cover the bulbs with more compost so that just the tips of them protrude above the surface. Add labels and water them until the soil becomes moist but not sodden.

Step 3

Tuck your pots in a cold but dry place

Place your containers of bulbs in a cold but dry place such as a shed, the corner of a garage or a cupboard. Cut out the light by covering the pots with a black bin bag or 2–3 layers of old fabric.

Step 4

Enjoy lovely flowers and plants during the darker winter months

Check your bulbs every two weeks or so. If the compost/bulb fibre becomes dry, then water it a little. Most bulbs will require 8–10 weeks in their cool, dark spots – others, such as paperwhite narcissi, will grow faster and may only need 5–7 weeks. Once the shoots are 3–5cm tall, move the containers to a cool, light windowsill, then sit back and enjoy your own tiny version of spring in the midst of winter.