Grown from bulbs, daffodils are planted in the autumn with September and October being favored bulb planting months. As a general rule you should plant bulbs at three times their own depth, although it is always best to be cautious and plant slightly deeper if unsure. Your daffodils will then flower the following Spring and if given the correct conditions they will continue to flower for years.

Position

Daffodils are woodland plants and as such will do well in sun or the shade of other plants. They enjoy cooler conditions and if you can maintain a cool soil temperature around the bulb they will thrive. Daffodils make excellent candidates for naturalising and look truly wonderful en mass. Be careful not to plant larger flowering varieties in areas with little shelter as the wind may damage flowers and snap stems. A hedge or screen will make an excellent windbreak in such spring conditions.

Soil

Daffodils thrive in moist and fertile soils, although they are tolerant of most conditions. Prepare the planting area by incorporating plenty of organic matter in the form of well-rotted garden compost or multi-purpose compost, as this will retain moisture as well as improve drainage. If you are planting bulbs on a heavy soil the addition of horticultural grit or sand will improve drainage further. If you are planting your daffodils in containers, hanging baskets or window boxes it is advisable that you add water beads as a way of keeping soil moist.

Care

Ensure that bulbs do not dry out as this will significantly reduce the health of your bulbs. As flowers fade remove the blooms but allow leaves to stay intact as they will help to produce energy which is then stored in the bulbs and helps produce next years flowers. Apply a balanced fertilizer at this point or spray plant with a foliar seaweed feed.

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