Gardeners urged to plant 1 flower now for a gorgeous and 'healthy' spring garden

Despite many people closing their gardens for winter and doing tasks such as pruning, now is actually a great time to get ahead on your spring garden. Planting season for spring runs from September through November, which makes now the perfect time to get bulbs in the ground before the cooler, wet weather sets in.

According to Eflorist's flower expert, David Denyer, daffodils should be planted now to ensure healthy growth and beautiful spring blooms next year. The expert said: "The best time to plant daffodil bulbs is from September through November, while the soil still holds some warmth but before it becomes too wet in winter.

"This allows the bulbs to put down strong roots, which is what leads to healthy growth and spring flowers. If you wait until winter, your bulbs may not establish properly, which can result in small or missing blooms."

Choose a sunny or lightly shaded spot with well-draining soil. If your soil is heavy clay, the expert recommended adding grit or planting your bulbs in raised beds and pots to prevent potting.

In sandy soil, simply mix in some compost to help the ground hold onto moisture. David added: "Bulbs should be planted around three times their own depth, usually 10 to 15cm, and spaced about seven to 10cm apart.

"Place them with the pointed tip facing upwards, as this is where the shoots will emerge. If your bulbs are planted too shallowly, they can become unstable and are more likely to topple once they flower."

The expert recommended planting the bulbs in clusters rather than straight rows in spring to create a "better display". This can help achieve a more natural display.

David said: "You can also extend the flowering display by mixing early, mid, and late-flowering varieties of daffodils. If you're planting in containers, try using the lasagne method, which involves layering bulbs at different depths.

"The deeper bulbs flower first, followed by the middle and top layers, giving you waves of flowers over a longer period."

Once the bulbs are in the ground, give them a good watering. After that, they can usually be left alone through the winter, as rainfall should provide enough moisture.

The expert added: "It's a good idea to mark where you have planted your bulbs, when something like a label or a decorative rock, so you don't accidentally disturb them when the soil looks bare.

"Bulbs already contain all the energy they need to flower, so you don't need to feed them at planting. Just make sure the soil stays free-draining over winter, and if you're using a container, keep an eye on it so it doesn't become waterlogged."