One of the true joys of gardening on a miserable winter day is to enjoy the fragrance and beauty of a pot of hyacinths you forced yourself.
The easiest spring bulbs to force include:
Hyacinth, Jonquil, Daffodil, Crocus, Grape Hyacinth, Freesia and many varieties of Tulip.
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Choose the largest size bulbs available.
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Place the bulbs in a pot so they almost touch.
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Plant with their tips just above the soil surface.
Use a good light potting mix or special bulb mix with some lime and slow release plant food added.
A little charcoal spread over the bottom of the pot will help purify the soil and keep it from turning sour.
Soak the pots then place in a dark, very cool and damp spot. This could be under dense trees and shrubs or buried underground in a specially marked bed of sand or gravel.
Keep moist. Leave in this position for at least 8-10 weeks, 12-14 weeks for tulips.
By then roots should be poking through the drainage holes and tiny shoots showing above.
MORE PICTURES click here... Forcing Bulbs