Layering Bulbs – Lasagna Gardening
Lasagna is delicious however we aren’t talking about that today. Much like the classic Italian dish, lasagna planting involves layering – only instead of pasta sheets and sauce, you’re working with soil and bulbs!
Why Would I Layer My Bulbs?
Layering different varieties of bulbs in a lasagna provides you a longer display of colour, because each variety will mature and flower at different times. Planting in this method is also a great way to maximise space in smaller gardens, really packing a punch of colour into one garden bed or pot.
How Do You Layer Bulbs?
Firstly, select the bulbs you wish to include in your ‘’lasagna’’. We recommend using a variety of Spring bulbs in different sizes, as these will be planted at different depths and ultimately flower at different types. Give some of these popular choices a go:
- Daffodils
- Tulips
- Hyacinth
- Dutch Crocus
- Triteleia
Lastly select some quick to grow flower seeds to sow over the layered bulbs, to provide quick colour and cover the bare soil. We suggest using varieties such as Alyssum and Gypsophila which can be sown during cooler months.
Once you have your bulbs and seeds organised, sort out your planting position. A sunny location is best, and you can grow direct in a prepared garden bed or in a large planter pot or container with drainage holes. If using a pot select a good quality potting mix, it will need to have adequate drainage to ensure the bulbs don’t rot away.
Planting
Plant your bulb lasagna by starting with the largest bulbs first, including tulips and daffodils. Place them pointy end up and cover with 5-10cm of compost or potting mix. Start the next layer with your mid-spring bloomers such as hyacinths. The last bulb layer is for the smaller early bloomers including Dutch Crocus.
Now that all the bulbs are planted in the soil you can sow some quick-growing flower seeds including Alyssum and Gypsophila. Lightly cover with a fine layer of compost or potting mix so they don’t dry out, but not too deeply otherwise they will struggle to grow. Set all your layers in by giving the pot or garden bed a light water. This will settle any air pockets and kickstart germination for your seeds.
From now until Spring it is fairly set and forget, just be sure that your flower seeds don’t dry out. Once Spring arrives, the bulbs will emerge in order, creating a continuous display from the top down.
Tips & Tricks
Try mixing colours and varieties for dramatic effect, or go with a soft pastel theme for a cottage-style look. The lasagna method works especially well in pots by the front door, on patios, or anywhere you want to inject cheerful spring colour.
Will My Bulb Lasagna Reflower?
Provided you allow your bulbs to completely die back after the flowering season before removing any foliage they should have stored all of their energy which will mean a great display next year. Be sure to not disturb the soil in your pot or garden bed as you will disrupt the layers, unless of course you wish to lift and divide your bulbs, which shouldn’t be required for a few years. Learn more about lifting bulbs here.
So there you have it, how to grow your own bulb lasagna – no pasta required! Be sure to shop our range of spring flowering bulbs for more inspiration.
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