Page 66 - Sunday Fun Day

62
SUPER Flower Surprise
Bulbs might look plain and brown, but there is a beautiful flower hiding inside, just waiting to pop up in the spring after a long winter’s nap. Plant some now to enjoy them next spring, and then year after year!
You will need:
a flat, sunny spot in the garden or a large pot or other container (around 30 litres) with plenty of drainage holes
potting soil (if planting in a container)
Plan to plant your bulbs about six weeks before the first frost. In the UK, this usually means planting in September. Store your bulbs in a paper bag in a cool, dry place until you are ready to plant.
Prepare the soil by removing any weeds and roots, then raking it so it is nice and crumbly. Bulbs need about six hours of sunlight a day, so make sure the spot is not too shady. You could also stir in a bit of compost and some sand to give your bulbs a happy home.
Dig a small hole about three times as deep as your bulb is tall. Then plant your bulbs with the stringy root bit at the bottom and the pointy part at the top. Cover with soil and press them down firmly so there areno air pockets, which can make the bulbs rot.
Fill your bed with bulbs, planting them about 6-10 cm apart. Water them regularly, but don’t let them get too soggy.
Then watch for those first green shoots in the spring, and see what surprises they bring!
several bulbs, such as daffodil, crocus, tulips
or hyacinths
a rake or a small gardening fork
compost sand
a trowel