How to Plant Daffodils

Well I thought they just magically appeared. No one could possibly have planted all those hundreds and hundreds that mysteriously erupt through the soil at the first sign of warmth, on almost every road and roundabout around every place you visit.

These darling little buds of Spring begin life in your garden as firm plump bulbs. Don't be fobbed off with shrivelled, soft or damaged specimens.

Don't know about you, but when British Summer Time (BST) ends, the clocks fall back one hour, the days are colder and less inviting, I tend to retire to the centrally heated haven that is my lounge.

So best take no chances. Draw yourself some dinky little flowers or write 'firm and plump' over a couple of weeks in October to December. It not only keeps everyone else wondering what you're up to, but gives you some leaway with the most certain vagaries of the british weather.

How to Plant Daffodils

1. dropping off the kids,
2. getting Hallowe'en costumes sorted,
3. buying tickets for the firework display,
4. chasing up the bargains and
5. stashing away the 'surprise' gifts you wouldn't want to have your kids go without,

A quick survey of the site will find your eyes alight on the new home for your little darlings. A glorious drift of daffodils in an otherwise bare border is a sight to behold, especially from the comfort of that lounge. Well, maybe the conservatory, as things are hotting up a little by then. You've got to admire the little darlings spending the whole winter underground like that and at two to three times their height too. I wouldn't like it!

So how about sharing a pot or container for the Winter, with a few of their mates. Cosy eh! But these daffodil bulbs won't thank you if you leave their heads sticking out the top, so still dig deep (2-3 times their height) and cover them well. Oh, and they don't like playing sardines like we did as kids, so give them some room - like two times their width between them and their friend!

How to Plant Daffodils in the Lawn

Now standing on the lawn where you want a natural looking bunch of daffodils and not daffodils at band practice, take a handful of 'firm and plumps,' turn your back and toss them gently over your shoulder. If you can't stand the anguish, then don't turn your back on them, but gently hold your arm out in front about waist height and release your grasp. Let them succumb to gravitation.

So now, they've chosen their beds and they're gonna have to lie in them. Dig a hole for each one and set them pointy side up, (flat side down) and tuck them in safely and securely with soil leaving no air spaces around the bulbs.

How to Plant Daffodils in a Hurry

Only got five minutes before you're off to pick up the kids? Get the job done quickly in a big-picture work ethic rather than that detail thingumijig. Remove a square (rectangle, polygon or other) of turf and plant a whole group of them in the daffodil equivalent of a king-sized bed. Be sure they're all heads-up then cover, firm in around them and replace the turf.

If you've been lucky enough to have dodged the rain for the planting you may be lucky enough to get the rain for the watering in. If not, get the kids to do it when they get home from school. Don't they just love being out of doors, playing with sprinklers, watering cans and hosepipes. It's a win-win for everyone. Therapeutic, calming, homework-delaying fun time. What's more it's a great lesson in delayed gratification.

Don't have kids? So where's the kid in you? Now you know how to plant daffodils. Have fun!

Em ... What was I saying about delayed gratification. Take us a picture and send it in to Happinesspages along with YOUR daffodil story.

Best wishes,

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