Autumn is the perfect time of year to plant bulbs in the garden ready for them to flower in spring. This is because the ground is still warm enough to let the plant settle and take root before the harshness of winter. In this blog post we show you how to plant a bulb so you can show your child how the roots grow and you can also watch the step to step video.
Planting a bulb
- Fill the cup with water until it’s about level with the rocks (so it will just touch the bottom of the bulb).
- Place the bulb on top, with the root side nearest the water.
- Place the cup and bulb on a sunny windowsill.
- Encourage your child to check their bulb once a week, and see if they can spot any changes that have occurred.
- Younger children will find this easier to talk about it, older ones might enjoy drawing and labelling it, using the printable observation sheet.
- Top tip: Be sure to add extra water to the container as and when the water level drops (either due to the bulb absorbing the water or from evaporation).
- After a few weeks, you’ll see an established root system, green shoots and potentially a flower bud. At this stage, it is best to plant the bulb into soil.
Bulbs which are great for planting in the autumn are daffodils, tulips, crocuses and muscari. Bulbs can be purchased from your local garden centre or online.
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Disclaimer
Before making any of the above ensure children are supervised at all times during these activities. Be aware of allergens.
