Autumn is the perfect time to interplant bulbs in your garden. Instead of waiting for spring to see the rewards, why not plant spring-flowering bulbs and winter annuals together? Stodels recommend this clever garden trick to give your beds colour now and double the beauty later.
Why you should interplant bulbs with winter flowers
When you interplant bulbs with flowering winter seedlings, you make the most of a single garden bed. You dig once, fertilise once, water one space – and get two spectacular seasons of blooms. It’s a time-saving, space-smart way to garden that rewards you twice.
Step-by-step guide to interplanting bulbs
- Pick the perfect spot
Choose a sunny area with well-draining soil. Make sure it’s easy to reach with a hose, since bulbs and seedlings both need regular watering. - Prepare the soil
Dig to a depth of about 30cm. For every 4m² of soil, mix in a bag of compost and four handfuls of fertiliser. Remove all weeds, stones and grass. Rake level. - Plant your winter seedlings
Water the bed and seedling trays first. Gently push seedlings from the bottom of their trays (don’t pull by the stems) and plant them at the same depth in small groups, spaced out to leave room for bulbs. - Add your spring bulbs
In the spaces between seedling groups, plant bulbs in clumps of 12–15. Follow the instructions on the bulb packaging for spacing and depth, or ask a Stodels expert in-store for help. - Water and feed regularly
Water deeply (about 15cm down) at least twice a week with a sprinkler. Feed seedlings with foliar fertiliser every two weeks. Once bulb shoots appear, switch to bulb food.
Best flowers and bulbs for interplanting
Winter bloomers for instant colour:
- Alyssum
- Calendula
- Bokbaaivygie
- Phlox
- Pansies
- Fairy primulas
- Dianthus
- Iceland poppy
- Candytuft
Indigenous bulbs to plant now:
- Ixia
- Sparaxis
- Tritonia
- Babiana
- Freesia
- Lachenalia
Visit Stodels for bulbs, seedlings and expert advice
Ready to transform your garden this autumn? Visit your nearest Stodels branch or browse online to get everything you need to interplant bulbs with ease. Their team is here to guide you on what to plant, when to water, and how to feed your garden for a spectacular display in both winter and spring.
