Bulbs to keep me going

[Praminthehall]

I want to plant a LOAD of bulbs in my garden and would love some recommendations of what / where to buy from. I’ve recently been diagnosed with cancer and this will really help me get through the autumn and winter which I’m anticipating will be hard. How soon can I buy and plant? I’m looking at surgery in late September.

My garden is a mix of full sun and very / semi shady. I’ve planted (supermarket) stuff that hasn’t always come up it been a bit puny.

Also really appreciate any planting tips. Thanks.

I know you can plant daffs and tulips in September, that would give you something to look forward to in Spring.

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis, OP. Your plan sounds very therapeutic and the results will bring you joy at a dark time of year.

Maybe some crocus, cyclamen and nerine (Guernsey lily) for the coming months, and snowdrops, iris and hyacinth for next year? There are some amazing hyacinths around - I have a very dark purple one.

Oh and you absolutely MUST plant some narcissus "Cheerfulness" - they are so pretty and have a wonderful scent. They are such happy reminders of renewal in spring, by which time I hope you will be making good progress with your recovery 💗

I'm not a bulb expert but I think the rule of thumb with bulbs is to plant them two to three times deeper than their height, and at a distance of about two bulb widths. A bit of gravel in the soil will help drainage.

www.jparkers.co.uk/15-daffodil-cheerfulness-1000144c

This year I'm putting in Peppermint stick tulips for the candy stripe look, theyre species so they'll return every year.

Another one I'm looking forward to is Snakeshead Fritallaria- I like the way their heads bob in the breeze.

I like Dutchgrown for buying bulbs. You can spend hours looking through options on there, I know I do.

Oh and also tuberosa iris, the green ones, they should come up in winter so might get you through to crocus time.

Are you hoping to plant before surgery? Or are you anticipating doing it as part of your recovery?

Are you planting in the ground? And if so, what is your soil like? And/or in pots? Or maybe both? I'd also have a think about where you might be sat if you're feeling poorly and aim to put something beautiful in your eye line.

I bought loads (1500+) from Farmer Gracy and JParkers wholesale last year over several months. Daffs, narcissi, tulips (Darwin and Species varieties for naturalising), snowdrops and more. I used 2 special bulb planting drill bits (2 widths) on an old cordless drill, which made the process very quick and easy.

It was fun counting up how many I planted in each 2-3 hour planting session, by looking at the bulb bags I'd emptied--around 200 wasn't unusual!

The FG bulbs were twice the size of the others so I bought, so I bought more in their sale.

Our garden looked amazing, I think the majority of the bulbs must have bloomed because it was a riot of colours for many months.

Good luck with the cancer, I've been through it and it's not pleasant.

Best of luck with the treatment. I did something very similar for my DH when he was recovering from a stroke. I planted frilly tulips and daffodils where he would sit outside and also in a couple of strategic spots where he could see them from his favourite seats indoors. It made the world of difference and I hope you get lots of joy from them.

Thank you all so much. I’m writing notes! Especially on particular types to plant and OMG loving the drill attachment idea because digging is probably my least favourite garden activity.
I’ll be planting in the soil mostly but also in pots which I seem to have loads of not in current use.
Surgery probably early October so I will get in the ground before then.
Thanks you for the good wishes.