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I bought my spring bulbs a little while ago and I finally got round to planting them in containers yesterday. I've gone for crocus - Advance, an unusual variety in that it's lilac on the outside and yellow on the inside, they should make for a pretty display, iris reticulata - Gordon, I love these tiny iris's, they're such pretty flowers, narcissus - Tete a Tete, a tiny, bright yellow daffodil which bears one to three flowers on each stem and daffodil - Professor Einstein, a flower with white petals and a vivid orange cup. I have to admit to preferring the traditional yellow daffodil but thought I'd go with something a little different this year. I also bought some allium - Spaerocephalon, but they're to join the allium - Purple Sensation which are already planted in the front garden. I'm also looking forward to seeing if last years bulbs, which I planted in the ground after they'd finished flowering in their containers, flower again. The garden will be very colourful in spring if they do.
I've ordered my potatoes for next year from the allotment shop. I've gone for Arran Pilot for the third year running as I've been really impressed with both the taste and yield from this variety. I grew a small quantity of Anya this year and was really impressed with them. Anya are a cross between Pink Fir Apple and Desiree so I thought I'd give Pink Fir Apple a go next year, as well as a larger quantity of Anya, so that I can compare the two. I ordered the Pink Fir Apple but unfortunately, the allotment shop doesn't order Anya in so I'll have to source those elsewhere.
Hubby completely cleared the greenhouse of all the old plants yesterday. Today's job is to move the more tender plants in there to give them a bit of protection over winter. There's a biting wind today, it's only a matter of time now until we get our first frost.
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We have had such beautiful mild weather through most of October but got two nights of frost near the end ,then back to rather warm weather. Odd our New England weather.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are busy and right on schedule with your plans, wish I could say the same.
October has been quite warm here too, though I'm not sure if November is going to be the same, it's been so chilly today. There's still lots to do before the onset of winter, but I'm sure we'll manage most of it.
DeleteThat's a good selection of bulbs which should give you lots of welcome colour in the spring.
ReplyDeleteI'll probably grow the same potatoes as last year but slightly more second earlies and fewer maincrop ones.
Flighty xx
I like to choose different things each year for my containers, it keeps things fresh. I think we try lots of potato varieties to find ones which suit us then tend to stick with the same ones. I've been more than happy with Arran Pilot, though I know others don't like them at all.
DeleteI was going to buy some bulbs this year but gave it a miss as I'm not too sure what i want yet.
ReplyDeleteYou could have just bought a few for a couple of containers, they're really cheap in Wilko's and worth a couple of pounds even if you don't end up keeping them. I love seeing the buds poking through the soil in spring, it's a real pick me up.
DeleteDon't you just love bulbs, flowers already packaged and ready to go! They have to be the best plants I think. I am sure that your displays will be lovely, the crocuses sound very pretty. xx
ReplyDeleteI love choosing my spring bulbs, there's just something about waiting for those gorgeous blooms showing up in spring. I'm looking forward to seeing the crocuses, they look lovely on the packaging.
DeleteYour bulbs look lovely, especially the alliums. I need to order some potatoes from the local garden shop, so your tip on which varieties you like is helpful. I will definitely look for some Arran Pilots, I remember you saying before how good they are.
ReplyDeleteI love alliums. I've had Purple Sensation in the front garden for a number of years but their numbers are dwindling so I'm hoping that these new bulbs will help. I really enjoy Arran Pilot potatoes but I know others who don't rate them so I hope you enjoy them if you decide to order some.
DeleteOh you should have some lovely colour come spring Jo. I picked up a few bulbs from Wilkos too including the same iris and crocus that you've been planting. I managed to get a few bulbs in this afternoon once the rain eased. Having an allotment shop must be a big plus.
ReplyDeleteThe allotment shop is great for prices on things like potatoes, and we get a good discount on Kings seeds. It sounds like we'll have the same colour with our iris and crocus come spring.
DeleteI really must get some of those tiny irises, thanks for the reminder. Your garden is going to look great come Spring.
ReplyDeleteWe had another storm come through yesterday so I've now moved everything tender into the greenhouse. The glass was rattling in the frame all around me!
Iris reticulata is such a lovely flower, they're so pretty. We had some very fierce winds overnight, even Archie was crying downstairs so we had to bring him in to the bedroom. Not a wise move really as he keeps us awake all night.
DeleteI think planting bulbs is one of my favourite things to do in the autumn, it's lovely to look forward to the delicate displays in spring. Sounds like you will have a blaze of colour. Those little iris sound lovely. I have bought lots of bulbs too but haven't had a chance to plant them yet. Wind....I hate it!xxxx
ReplyDeleteI love looking forward to the spring bulb display in spring but I always find it hard to get them planted in autumn, I really need to set time aside for it. I've grown the iris before, they're such lovely flowers. I hope you manage to find time to plant yours soon. Wind is my most hated weather, it causes so much damage.
DeleteI did plant up some crocus this weekend. I didn't know you could get little iris, I can see a trip to the garden centre coming on! xxx
ReplyDeleteThe irises are tiny, they're so pretty. I'd been meaning to grow some for a few years and finally got round to it last year for the first time so I'm hoping those flower again as well as the new ones.
DeleteIts getting a bit late for daffs now but there is still time, even up to Christmas for tulips. I made the same mistake of ordering my bulbs late this year and have rushed them in last week.( I had decided to not order this year but could not resist the temptation of Parkers wholesale catalogue)
ReplyDeleteThose catalogues are so tempting, aren't they? I think the daffodils will be ok, they just tend to flower a bit later than usual if they're planted late. I haven't bought any tulips this year, I might have a scout round the shops and see if I can find any I fancy.
DeleteApart from the "Soleil d'Or" that I got in Scilly, I have not bought any more bulbs this year. I'm hoping all the ones from previous years will come up OK again ! My "Scilly" bulbs are already coming up strongly - far too early for my liking.
ReplyDeleteThe Soleil d'Or will be a lovely reminder of your holiday, it's nice to bring back a memento for the garden. I planted the bulbs I had in containers last year in the garden, I don't know if they'll flower again or not, but it would be nice if they did.
DeleteWell done for getting all your bulbs planted, Jo! I still have to do mine, hoping for a dry day on Friday/Weekend. I couldn't resist when I walked into Sarah Raven's shop at her last Perch Hill open day and bought some beautiful tulips. Also interested in whether I'll see last year's tete a tete again!
ReplyDeleteI think bulb planting is one of those jobs that it's hard to get round to doing. I hope the weekend is dry so that you get chance to get yours in. I haven't bought any tulips this year, I'm sure that's something I'll regret come spring.
DeleteLots of lovely bulbs there Jo. I've just got my tulips to go in but we've had so much rain the ground is too wet to dig. I'm hoping it will dry up soon. if not they might all have to go into containers. Still quite mild here and not a sign of frost. They've had snow already in Scotland so it looks like winter isn't far away.
ReplyDeleteI usually plant all my bulbs in containers then move them in to the ground when they've finished flowering. I'm hoping that last years will flower again this year, time will tell.
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