Beginner level

Planting bulbs in the green is a great way to ensure plant success with late winter and early spring bulbs such as Snowdrops and Winter Aconites. By planting them when they are in growth, in the green, you can ensure a better success rate for flowering the following year. It also enables you to more accurately plant bulbs en masse without the drama of digging individual holes. I show you my super easy 'slit' method for naturalising bulbs in the green.

Updated 2022: Spring flowers show the first positive signs that spring is just around the corner. There is nothing nicer than getting through the winter and seeing a mix of spring bulbs emerging in the garden. Winter Aconites (Eranthis) and Snowdrops (Galanthus) are the first early bird bulbs to spring up. It brightens up our gardening days during the winter months.

However, these spring plants can take a while to get established if you plant them like Daffodils (Narcissi) in Autumn via semi-dry bulbs. Which can lead to gardening disappointment and frustration as you wait a few years for them to make an appearance finally. However, ‘Bulbs in the green’ are different!

This guide will explain what ‘bulbs in the green’ are and why you should consider them to bring your garden to life in the springtime.

  1. What are bulbs in the green?
  2. Benefits of planting bulbs in the green
  3. When are bulbs in the green available?
  4. What time of year should I plant bulbs in the green?
  5. How do you plant bulbs in the green?
  6. What plant bulbs are available in the green?
  7. How long do snowdrops take to establish?
  8. How long do Daffodils take to grow
  9. What’s the best time to plant bulbs in the garden?
  10. How long will bulbs survive when not planted?

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What are bulbs in the green?

Bulbs ‘in the green’ are flowering bulbs that are lifted, sold and then replanted whilst they have their ‘green stems’ intact. They have a much higher water content in them, ideal for planting.

They differ from dry or semi-dried bulbs, which are lifted and sold whilst dormant. These dried bulbs, such as Daffodils, Tulips or Snowdrops, are then planted in the Autumn, ready for the next year.

By buying your spring bulbs ‘in the green’ just after they have flowered, you can ensure a fabulous display the next year, meaning you’re not waiting with your fingers crossed.

A patch of galanthus snowdrops

What is the benefit of bulbs in the green?

Planting bulbs in the green has a number of benefits for the gardener.

The first is that bulbs in the green are lifted with their foliage. Once planted, the foliage dies back all the moisture goes back to the bulb. It puts less stress on the bulb than if it were lifted, dried out and planted when dormant and dry.

Second, it’s far easier to see where your bulbs will flower by planting them in the green. No more digging holes, dropping them in and then forgetting where they are. It helps you plan your garden borders and ensure the placement and bulb distance apart from each other is correct.

Lastly, certain plants, such as Winter aconites and Snowdrops, can be quite fussy to emerge when planted as bulbs. Sometimes they come straight up other times; they sit somewhat dormant for years. By planting them in the green, they are planted in warmer soil, allowing their roots to establish.

A box of snowdrops in the green

It also means the leaves are left above the soil and can take in energy to store in the bulb, which means the year after, there’s a better chance of flowering!

When are bulbs in the green available?

Bulbs in the green are lifted in February and early march and shipped out directly to customers. This is just after they have finished flowering with a high water content. This is the beauty of bulbs in the green, it’s less stressful to transplant them when in the green.

When should I plant bulbs in the green?

It would be best if you planted bulbs in the green as soon as they arrive, usually around late February to March. They don’t store like traditional dry bulbs such as daffodils, so make sure you have enough time to plant them in your garden when they arrive.

How to plant bulbs in a lawn the easy way

This guide will show you how to easily plant bulbs in the green without drama and with the least fuss possible. Gone are the days of back-breaking bulb planting with a dibber on your hands and knees. My method is fast and requires the least bending possible.

The Slit Method of planting bulbs

I like to call this method ‘the slit method’, which I’ve found ideal for naturalising and planting smaller bulbs like Snowdrops in the green. It doesn’t involve huge amounts of effort, and I’ve always had great success.

The equipment you will need:

Smaller bulbs usually don’t require as much depth as larger bulbs like Tulips and Daffodils, which makes planting them mega easy via the slit method. I always find Tulips better in containers as they naturally lose some of their vigours over time.

Garden Ninja planting bulbs in the lawn

In comparison, Daffodils and other bulbs tend to bulk up and go for gold in the ground. It’s your personal preference whichever way you prefer to plant bulbs.

1. Use your spade to make a slit in the ground

Using a sharp spade, make a cut into your turf (or soil if planting in a border). Waggle the spade back and forth to make a slit wide enough to fit the bulbs. I find doing this after rainfall the best way, as the ground is moist and ready for the bulbs.

Lee Burkhill planting a bulb

This creates the slit in which the bulbs are going to be planted.

2. Split your bulbs in the green

Grab a handful of your bulbs in the green and split them into bunches of 3 or 5 at a time. Don’t be tempted to stick in 10 or 20 into each slit. They will just get congested and look odd. Removing the benefits of planting in the green in the first place!

A handful of green snowdrops

By starting small with 3 or 5 the bulbs will bulk up over the years and not need to compete with each other for resources. ie water and nutrients. Leading to a far nicer look next year than rows of congested sorry looking Snowdrops.

Naturalising bulbs in a lawn

To make things easier, you can even split the bulbs indoors when they first arrive. Sitting at a table makes for a far more comfortable experience. Just make sure you plant them as soon as you have split them. This is because they will be losing moisture, and you need to get them in the ground so they can establish.

3. Slide your bulbs into the slit

Slide the bulbs you’ve divided individually so that they are buried up to a depth that completely covers the lower white part of the stem. This white part shows the previous planting depth; it’s white because it doesn’t need much chlorophyll as it’s not going to photosynthesise being underground!

Lee Burkhill planting bulbs in the green

This white part of the stem shows you which bit should be buried so its a nice indicator from mother nature to us gardeners!

4. Repeat the next slit at least 6 to 8 inches away from the first batch

If you’re planting more, give the next batch at least 6-8 inches between the first set you planted. You may even decide to use a larger spacing to make the bulbs go further. it’s entirely up to you.

Sotting bulbs into the ground for planting

5. Firm in and water the bulbs

Once you’ve got 3 or 5 in, push the slit back together again, firmly covering the bulbs.

They may lean to one side initially but don’t worry; they will recover. Always water them thoroughly after planting with a watering can. That’s it; job is done. Your bulbs are planted.

Clean off your spade and get inside for a brew!

What bulbs are available as ‘in the green’?

You won’t find all bulbs available in the green as it’s quite a labour-intensive way of growing and lifting plants. There’s also a short shelf life between lifting and planting. You need to get them in the ground asap, whereas bulbs can be stored somewhere dark for a few months before planting.

Here’s a list of the common bulbs ‘in the green’ species which I’ve planted to help you when searching online:

  • Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrops)
  • Galanthus flore pleno (Double Snowdrops)
  • Galanthus Elwesii (Snowdrops)
  • Hyacinthoides non-scripta (English Bluebells)
  • Leucojum Aestivum (Summer Snowflake)
  • Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite)
Snowdrops in leaf mould

How long do Snowdrops take to establish?

Snowdrops, Galanthus, can be a bit tricky to establish, especially if planted as bulbs. I’ve had some great successes and other times abject failures. If planting as dried bulbs, it’s essential they get a good frost to trigger their flowering. So you need to get them early in autumn. They then take 1 – 2 years to establish.

Snowdrop guide

Bulbs in the green only take one year to establish; they are much quicker when planting snowdrops. There is also a much quicker establishment of the bulb and root system.

How long do Daffodils take to establish?

Daffodils are far less demanding than early flowering bulbs such as Snowdrops or Aconites. They will flower the year after you plant them in most cases. Taking 1 year to flower.

You can plant Daffodils any time in winter with a high success rate. Providing they are planted deep enough, at least 2-3 times their depth.

Daffodils flowering in spring

When is the best time to plant bulbs in the garden?

The best time to plant dry bulbs in the garden is Autumn; September to October. This is because the ground is still warm, and the bulbs can start to establish their root system before the winter. It’s a gentle way of getting them ready for the following spring.

However, given the fluctuations in our climate, I’ve planted bulbs in winter with success. Life is busy and sometimes you don’t get around to it. I find it’s better to get them in late than not at all.

How long do bulbs last if unplanted?

Any lifted bulb will only last roughly one year (12 months) once lifted. Any longer than this, and it starts to either rot or dry up beyond repair. Remember that these lifted bulbs are still transpiring (ie breathing and using water). They need to get back in the ground to replenish these lost nutrients and hydrate; if not, they will die.

Dried flower bulbs

Summary

Planting spring flowering bulbs are a wonderful way to garden. They provide early pollen for honey bees and insects, along with brightening up the winter gardening months. Bulbs can be planted in containers and even the smallest of gardening spaces, so they are well worth the effort.

Buying bulbs online in the green is a rapid and successful way of planting spring bulbs. I bought mine from Gee Tee bulb company which has an excellent range of bulbs in the green. Check out their website or speak to them on Twitter for more help and advice.

If you have questions or comments on spring bulbs, why not let me know below? You can Tweet, Facebook or Instagram me. You can also follow me on Youtube, where I’ve got plenty of garden guide vlogs!

Happy Planting!

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