BULBS IN GRASS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 121, 15 February 1935, Page 18

BULBS IN GRASS

How To Plant Them Certain bulbs, especially narcissus, crocus, snowdrop, and bluebell, look best when planted in informal groups, beneath deciduous (leaf-losing) trees. The best way to make them appear natural is to scatter them by hand and plant them where they fall. ' Arrange each group so that it tapers to a point and straggle a few in a zigzag line to join up the next group and so on. The best method of inserting them in the soil is to use the special bulb planting tool obtainable. With this, a small wad of turf and soil is removed. The bulb is then inserted in the hole and the turf replaced. Holes may also be made with a dibber or crowbar, but this method is sometimes objected to as the bulbs are liable to be suspended half way down the holes. If, however, a supply of fine soil is available, a little can be trickled into the bottom, the bulbs set upon it and the remainder of the space filled up with the same material. Another method is to peel off the turf, fork-up the soil, insert the bulb and replace the turf. The objection to this method is the extra amount of labour involved. Narcissi should be planted 12 inches apart; bluebells six inches and crocuses four inches. They will appear rather thin for a year or two, but rapidly increase and soon fill the gaps. The depth for planting is six inches for narcissi, four inches for bluebells, and two inches for crocuses and snowdrops. They should be planted as soon as obtainable, but as the ground is now exceptionally dry, it will be best to wait until it has become well moistened before setting them in the soil.