Many kinds of summer bulbs
Summer bulbs not only come in every colour of the rainbow – there are lots of different kinds as well. Dahlias, lilies, gladioli, calla lilies, Japanese anemones, begonias, Oxalis: all are perfect for planting in the garden as well as in containers.
Fun in the garden with children: plant flower bulbs together
Gardening is educational and good for child development. The kids can be happily involved in an outdoor activity and get their hands dirty! They see how the natural world changes through the seasons and can admire the results of their own efforts. Planting bulbs makes for a nice easy little gardening job!
Watch them grow
Flower bulbs are perfect for following the various stages of growth. So why not let your children plant their own bulbs? Even before planting them, it’s easy to see where the roots will emerge from the bulb and where the leaves will sprout later. But it won’t get really exciting until summer arrives. That’s when the first little shoots will appear. And that’s when the youngsters can start keeping track of how the leaves and buds develop and how the flowers will open. What makes it even better is the reward of a colourful garden. It’s something they’ll never forget!
The best time to plant
The best time to plant these flower bulbs is after the risk of frost (April/May). Summer bulbs become available as early as February. The rule of thumb for planting is to bury them twice as deep as they are tall…and with their ‘noses’ pointing up! Once the bulbs have been planted, water them immediately. That way, the roots will develop quickly.
