Can you plant directly into topsoil?Updated 8 months ago

Bulbs can be planted directly into free draining topsoil, garden soil or compost. If you want to grow them in patio pots and containers, always use fresh, good quality multipurpose compost.

Bare root plants and summer bulbs such as dahlias, callas and begonias can struggle to settle into heavier soils like topsoil, it is better to pot them up into into small temporary pots and grow them on for 1-3 months in multipurpose compost until they're a little more established before planting into the garden. Another advantage of potting-up tender or half-hardy summer bulbs is that they can be planted earlier so they can get a head start and you can easily move them under cover or indoors when temperatures are cold in spring to protect them from frost.