Are these deals too good to be true?

[Slimthistime]

I have to look after mum's garden and the spring bulbs need to be done again
She's has a catalogue with things like 100 crocus bulbs for £4. Is this too good to be true in some way?

I don't know how we are meant to store them till planting time - in a cool and dry place I guess? There's a room in her house that's always cold, so that's fine, but are they selling them so cheap because they're really poor quality or something?

Thanks.

They could be last years stock being used up or just a random selection of bulbs that they need to shift. If you're not bothered about colour or how many come up it might be worth a try.

BUT for £5 you can get 50 crocus bulbs from Peter Nyssen (or similar bulb supplier) of your choice of colour and they should be good quality and (unless the squirrels eat them) will come up in the spring.

Thanks unremarkable
Mum can't get out much so I do want to be as sure as possible of a good show, colour not so much but she'd be sad if they didn't come up.

I will try Peter Nyssen, thank you.

If you wait until Sept/Oct Morrisons have a good selection of spring bulbs for bargain prices

Ginger, yes, I haven't had to do the spring bulbs for a while but last time mum got them from there and I remember planting them when it was quite cold.

Having looked at the Peter N website, I've noticed (for myself - only have a tiny balcony) that they reckon they have snowdrops which flower in the first year. I've avoided doing snowdrops in a pot because I thought they only flowered in subsequent years. I wonder if those really will come up in year 1? I have to see whatever is in the one balcony pot as being disposable essentially.

I've not had a lot of success with snowdrop bulbs either. I got some 'in the green' from a relative this year so I'm hopeful I might get some flowers this winter/spring.

Sorry not to have been of more help

I only mentioned Morrisons as I've had great success with their bulbs, I bought loads! The snowdrops were the only ones that didn't perform

Thanks Ginger
that's what I thought, they have to be transplanted from the green and not into a pot! Probably the website means it will flower first year in a vast luscious garden....!

I will stick with irises but probably choose a different colour this year. Meanwhile I will tell mum to wait and I will get a load of spring bulbs later for her garden.

I have had snowdrops in a tiny pot come up the first year. I can't remember where from but I suspect the pound shop, home bargains or somewhere similar as I never have much money for bulbs. Do they not usually come up first year?

Weasel, lucky you. I had two green shoots out of mine when I tried!

They didn't do anything this year slim so maybe that's some weird gardening karma