In October 2022, a TikTok went viral, amassing over 550,000 views and 21,000 likes. It showed the gardener, Beccy, planting 600 bulbs. Six months on, the same user posted an update, another viral video showing the results as her lawn was taken over by a rainbow of crocuses, alliums, tulips and more.
For gardeners looking to create their very own bulb lawn in Devon, now is the time to start, as Helen Nyul, Group Head of Biodiversity at Barratt Homes, explains:
“Now is the ideal time to start planting your spring-flowering bulbs. Daffodils, hyacinths and tulips should all be planted in autumn so that you can look forward to a bright and beautiful garden in the spring.”
Below, Helen explains the three easy steps to getting your own bulb lawn:
“Bulbs are very versatile and take well to growing in the ground as well as in a pot, but to grow a beautiful bulb lawn, you’ll want to plant them straight into the grass.
“The spot you choose should be sunny and protected from being trodden on so avoid planting them too close to garden paths. Planting them around your borders is a great way to ensure they won’t be walked over while they’re growing.
“You’ll want to plant them in groups of around eight for display. If you really want your garden to bloom, you can plant 50-100 bulbs –or even more – to give the effect of having a sea of flowers.”
“Using a trowel, drill or a bulb auger, make holes in the soil around 2-3 times the depth of the bulb. Plant the bulb at the bottom of the hole with the tip pointed upwards. Then, gently fill the soil back in.
“You’ll want to space your bulbs by a couple of inches to ensure they each have enough room to grow. If the soil is dry, make sure to give them some water after planting.”
“Your bulbs will begin to sprout and grow through the rest of autumn and winter. You should expect to start seeing your bulbs blooming between February and April.”
Haven’t got a lawn?
If you don’t have a lawn, Helen suggests creating a ‘bulb lasagne’in a flowerpot:
“A gardening TikTok went viral last year with over a million views from a gardener in London planting a ‘bulb lasagne’ in a pot made by layering daffodils, tulips and crocuses.
“You can make bulb lasagne yourself by layering different bulbs between layers of soil. The bulbs will flower at different times meaning blooms from February through to May to brighten up the garden.
“You can also get creative with the different types of bulbs you can plant. Here are some of the most beautiful spring-flowering bulbs you can plant between September and November:
“And it needn’t be expensive. You can often buy a packet of 300 bulbs for around £15.”
Spring flowers aren’t just important for improving your garden’s aesthetic – they also provide essential pollen and nectar for newly emerging insects and those waking from winter hibernation, such as bees and butterflies.
You can find more inspiration on bulb planting at: https://www.dwh.co.uk/advice-and-inspiration/planting-spring-flowering-bulbs/
Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes are currently building much-needed new homes for Devon at Victoria Heights in Exeter, Fairfax Heath in Tiverton, Okement Park and Hampton Mill in Okehampton, and Berry Acres in Paignton. Barratt Homes offers a range of schemes to support you with your new home journey, including the Key Worker Deposit Contribution Scheme and Part Exchange Guarantee.
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