Plant These Bulbs Now for a Garden Packed With Spring Colour

Grey skies and cold mornings may still dominate, but gardeners are being urged not to wait if they want a burst of colour when spring arrives.

The weeks ahead are a key window for planting bulbs and starting seeds that will deliver bright, cheerful displays just as winter fades.

Getting plants going now can also be a simple way to beat the early year blues, with the promise of colour and growth on the horizon.

For an early splash of spring blooming, the lifestyle team at Lottomart suggests planting bulbs and tubers such as begonias, snapdragons and the delicate five-petalled Laurentia.

These varieties can be started in pots and kept on south-facing windowsills, where they’ll establish slowly and bring a lift to indoor spaces while outdoor temperatures remain low.

Geraniums are also recommended for their bold shades, offering a reliable hit of colour that helps brighten darker days.

A Lottomart spokesperson commented: “January and early February are often overlooked, but this is when some of the most important groundwork happens. What you plant now is what gives you that wow factor in spring.”

For those planting outdoors, extra care is advised while frosts are still a risk.

Wrap pots with horticultural fleece or burlap to keep bulbs insulated; bubble wrap also works as a simple alternative.

In garden beds or allotments, a layer of organic mulch can help protect roots from freezing temperatures while locking in moisture, giving plants a stronger start when growth picks up.

To make the most of space and ensure flowers appear over several weeks, gardeners are encouraged to try layer planting.

Start with early bloomers such as daffodils and hyacinths, then add later-flowering bulbs including tulips, irises, lilies and alliums.

It has been recommended to choose long-lasting varieties for the final layer, pointing to darker tulips like Queen of Night, which can extend colour well into late spring.

Many spring bulbs need a prolonged cold period to flower properly, so planting now gives them the best chance of producing strong, healthy blooms.

Balconies and allotment plots can also benefit from late winter planting.

Crocuses and alliums not only add interest but also provide early nectar for bees and butterflies when food sources are scarce.

Longer-lasting plants such as dahlias, salvias and heathers continue to support pollinators as the seasons change, while offering rich colour throughout the year.

Gardeners are also urged to think ahead to spring and summer harvests.

Hardy broad beans can be sown outdoors now, as long as the ground isn’t frozen, while garlic and shallots do well in shallow beds or pots.

Those with cloches can start carrots, radishes, lettuces and salad onions early for quicker harvests.

Indoors, windowsills are ideal for starting tomatoes, cucumbers and peas. Soaking pea seeds in lukewarm water overnight can help kick-start germination and encourage stronger early growth.

The Lottomart spokesperson added: “Late winter is the ideal time to start thinking about food crops because it allows gardeners to spread the workload and avoid rushing when temperatures rise,” they said.

“Starting now means plants establish stronger root systems, which leads to healthier growth and better harvests. A little preparation in winter helps ensure a smoother, more productive growing season once the weather improves.”