Good to GLOW

Plant your bulbs now for a lovely bright start to spring

- CHRIS MORLEY

Forward thinking

October is prime time for bulb planting. The weather is usually clement enough to enjoy a spot of light gardening and bulbs are easy to bury in warm, damp soil.

Try to aim for successions of blooms, beginning with early-flowering jewels, such as snowdrops and crocuses, followed by daffodils, then hyacinths and tulips.

TIP Hold off planting tulips until next month, when the cooler soil may help protect against fungal disease.

Potted pleasures

Beautify a doorstep, patio or window box with potted bulbs. With careful selection, you'll have cheery wafts of colour for three to four months.

* Flowering February-March Narcissus 'February Gold' and vanilla-scented 'Erlicheer' (both H30cm). Mix with blue muscari and forget-me-nots for contrast.