What do you add to soil when planting bulbs or bare roots?Updated 8 months ago

There’s no need to add anything to a good quality multipurpose compost when planting bulbs or bare roots into pots. We recommend that all small bare root varieties are started in temporary pots with multipurpose compost and that they are grown on for 1-3 months prior to planting into the garden when they're a little more established. 

You can plant bare roots directly into a clear space in well-prepared borders with free-drinaing, crumbly soil, but do note that bare roots can struggle to settle into some garden soils. They may get a slow start or they may fail entirely if the root system has to work hard from the start. The young shoots are also more at risk of slug damage and other disturbance from wildlife when planted directly into a border.

If you are planting bulbs or bare roots directly into beds and borders where the soil is heavy clay or very dry and sandy, it's a good idea to dig in some well-rotted leaf mould, compost or manure to help improve the soil structure and fertility and give the plants/bulbs the best chance.