Get planting for spring

Bulbs are a brilliant way to add easy colour, said Ruth

- Ruth Hayes

THE days are shorter and cooler now, with thoughts turning towards hearty foods, thick jumpers and blazing fires (cheaper than central heating!)

However, before we start sinking into the traditional funk that heralds the onset of winter, let's get in the garden to plan and plant some easy and relatively economical springtime colour.

Spring bulbs are for sale everywhere at the moment and they are one of the easiest ways of creating a beautiful garden full of colour for years to come.

We automatically think of daffodils and tulips, but they are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to spring variety and length of flowering. The rainbow of spring and early summer colours starts early, with the first snowdrops and crocuses, before the daffodils, narcissus and tulips take over, eventually giving way to the alliums of early summer.

All these can be planted now, with the exception of snowdrops which are best bought as plants in the green', shortly after they have flowered next spring.

Bulbs are delightfully versatile and can be cultivated no matter how large or small your garden.

They are all happy in borders, provided the soil is free draining, but can also be grown in containers and windowboxes (perfect if you are short on space) as well as in rockeries and naturalised in a lawn.

For the best results, plant them in fertile, well-drained soil in sun or partial, dappled shade.