This weekend, I’m going to be busy planting all my hyacinth bulbs. I always leave these until last, because out of all the spring bulbs (including tulips), these are the ones that require the longest chilling period and to be planted at the latest possible time in May, to improve flowering.
I almost didn’t grow hyacinth this year after a not-so-successful season last year. I think the main reason for poor flowering was because the bulbs weren’t chilled. This year I purchased my bulbs in February, thinking I would receive them by early April at the latest and that I would be able to chill them for at least six weeks prior to planting. Unfortunately, lockdown meant that I only received my bulbs half way through May, so they will only have a chilling period of around two weeks before I go to plant them. This isn’t enough, but it’s the best I can do in the circumstances. I don’t think anyone foresaw a global pandemic and if I did, I probably wouldn’t have ordered hyacinths given my lack of success last year. It is possible to grow hyacinths well if you live in a region with warmer winters, but it can be a bit tricky. It also depends on just how mild your winter is, as it varies from year to year. I have put together some tips for planting hyacinth in warm climates.
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Like anemones, ranunculus give you a great bang for your buck. They’re relatively inexpensive to buy. You can get as many as 25 ranunculus corms for only a few dollars. One corm also yields a few flowers, unlike a lot of other spring bulbs. Ranunculus grow on long stems and make great cut flowers, whether in a bouquet of their own or mixed with other flowers in arrangements. This year I’m growing 100 ranunculus (mixed colours), which I purchased from the New Zealand mail order company Bulbs Direct. I hope they give us a beautiful display in spring.
As with tulips, hyacinth and anemones, ranunculus thrive in cooler climates. If you live in a region with mild winters, it is still possible to grow ranunculus and for them to flower well. All that is required is a bit of care. I have written these growing tips with warmer conditions in mind, so if you live in an area with cold conditions, bear in mind that it might not be necessary to pre-chill your ranunculus corms.
For as long as I have been gardening, I have always planted anemone corms every spring. They’re easy to grow and are one of the best value spring bulbs. You can get a pack of 25 corms for just a few dollars. Unlike a lot of other spring bulbs, corms produce several flowers, giving you even more bang for your buck. This year, I have planted 100 Anemone “The Bride” and 100 Anemone “Blue Poppy corms” I purchased from the New Zealand mail order company Bulbs Direct. I prefer single-flowering anemones to the double-flowering kind you can get, but that’s a matter of personal preference. I think that’s because single flowering anemones resemble poppies. Anemones make great cut flowers, too. They look nice in a bouquet of their own or added to other floral arrangements.
As with tulips and hyacinth, anemones do best in a cool climate. But if you live in the winterless north, fear not. With some care, it is still possible to grow anemones and for them to flower well. Here are some growing tips for gardeners who live in warmer climates.
It’s been awhile since I posted an update of activity around Anita’s Garden. So much has been happening here! I can’t believe it’s almost autumn. It’s certainly starting to feel that way. The days are gradually becoming shorter and we have been busy harvesting traditionally autumn crops. It hasn’t been the best summer, so I’m looking forward to the season ahead. Plant nursery My boutique plant nursery is open for plant sales. At the moment, I have a range of autumn and winter veggie seedlings for sale. You can view my complete stocklist here. To make an appointment to come around, please text me on 021 02762091. We are located in Papatoetoe (Manukau side). Anita’s Garden competition As some of you will be aware, I recently ran a competition to win a selection of seedlings for autumn and winter. This competition was limited to locals, who would be able to collect the plants but I promise to run another competition for those who live outside Auckland in future (I just need to find my gift certificates which I have misplaced). Here is a photo of the winner Rita Prasad with her prize. Congratulations, Rita! Feijoas! For the first time in the history of Anita’s Garden, we have been harvesting feijoas in February! Normally, they crop in autumn, from March through to May. I’m unsure of the cultivar as the label has come off, but it is either Kaiteri or Kakariki from Waimea Nurseries. The autumn and winter garden While I have been busy sowing seeds, the wwoofers who have been staying with us have been helping plant our autumn and winter garden. We have beetroot and kohlrabi growing in two of our large garden beds. There was also some space after the celeriac and parsnips were pulled out so Mathilde and Justine planted some cabbage “Ranfurly Mini” seedlings from Egmont Seeds. They also planted some Romanesco broccoli from Franchi seeds (distributed by Italian Seeds Pronto in New Zealand). Below is a photo of the “Ranfurly Mini” cabbage plants, which are looking incredibly strong and healthy just one week after planting. Below is a photo of some of my Romanesco broccoli seedlings from Franchi Seeds. A star performer in the plant nursery is my pansy and viola seedlings, raised from seed by Egmont Seeds. The owner, John McCullough, kindly gave me a selection of seeds to grow in the garden this winter and I am very excited to see what they will look like. I plan to plant them in the plastic hanging baskets which previously housed our Topsy Tom tomatoes (also from Egmont Seeds) Spring bulbs
It’s now time to look through catalogues and order your spring bulbs. The best and most popular varieties sell out fast so it pays to be in quick. I find that the quickest and easiest way to purchase bulbs is by mail order. The selection, quality and prices are far superior to garden centres. By far the best company I have discovered is Bulbs Direct. Their bulbs are fantastic quality, very reasonably priced and the service is superb. They are the newest mail order company to the scene but have been giving the more established ones a run for their money. I highly recommend them. Anita’s Garden has a new collaboration with Bulbs Direct, which you can read more about here. Did you know that I have a Facebook page? I have reached nearly 1.4k Likes! Please help me to cross the threshold. When I do, I promise I’ll run another competition! Thank you for your on-going support. |
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