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Planting summer Corms now in Autumn

#1 · 11th October 2024, 7:21 am

Hi Guys

can I plant Gladiolus and Asiatic Lilly Corms now as opposed to spring?
For some reason in my garden everything takes an extra month or more to establish and bloom. Will it give me a head start or will they rot?

Thanks in advance. Big Fan

Regatds

Wesley

#2 · 14th October 2024, 7:59 am

Hi @wesley

Thanks for your kind words about my work here at Garden Ninja!

A lot of people panic about the timing of planting bulbs and corms in the garden. The biggest question really should be, 'What happens to my garden soil over winter?'. This gives you all the clues you need to know when to plant things for the following year.

If your garden remains relatively free-draining without wet, boggy patches, you should be fine. However, if your garden gets waterlogged and blasted by icy winds, you may want to hold off on planting corms and Gladioli. My guide on soil types here can also help.

Once these plants have been established, you don't need to lift them like Dahlias, as they can survive the odd frost and are quite tough. But the first year's planting of bulbs is the real pinch point, where early planting can be ruined by a cold or frosty winter.