Bulb planting in Ottery St Mary
Looking for professional bulb planting help in Ottery St Mary? Hembury Contracting provides reliable garden help services across Ottery St Mary and surrounding areas.
Price Guide
£60-£85
Typical Duration
1-1.5 hrs
Location
Ottery St Mary
Spring bulbs planted at the right depth and spacing for a brilliant spring display. Autumn job that pays off when everything else is still dormant.
### Plan Ahead for Spring Glory
**Plant bulbs in autumn, enjoy flowers in spring** - it's delayed gratification at its finest. Nothing cheers up a dull February/March garden like drifts of daffodils and crocuses coming through.
> 💡 **Pro tip:** Layer bulbs at different depths in the same area - early crocuses, then daffodils, then late tulips. Extends your spring display from February through to May.
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### Why Depth and Positioning Matter
**Wrong depth = poor flowering or no flowering at all**. Bulbs are specific about how deep they need to be.
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong | |--------------|---------------| | Planted 2-3× bulb depth | Too shallow (frost damage) or too deep (don't emerge) | | Pointy end up, flat end down | Planted upside down (they'll still grow but waste energy) | | Natural drifts and groups | Regimented rows or evenly spaced | | In well-drained soil | In waterlogged soil (bulbs rot) |
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### What You Get
**🔧 The Process**
| Stage | What Happens | |-------|--------------| | **Plan** | Work out positioning for natural-looking drifts | | **Dig** | Holes or trenches at correct depth for each bulb type | | **Plant** | Bulbs positioned right way up, covered properly | | **Label** | Mark areas so you remember what's planted where |
**📦 You're Left With** - Bulbs ready to grow in spring - Natural-looking groupings - Clear labels for reference - All debris cleared
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### Pricing Guide
| Number of Bulbs | Estimated Time | You'll Pay | |-----------------|----------------|------------| | 50-100 bulbs (few drifts) | 45-60 mins | **£60** | | 100-200 bulbs (multiple groups) | 1-1.5 hrs | **£60-£85** | | 200+ bulbs or lawn planting | 1.5-2 hrs | **£85-£110** |
*Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Bulb cost extra if I'm supplying them.*
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### Perfect For...
✅ **Spring colour** - guaranteed blooms when garden's bare
✅ **Naturalised displays** - bulbs in grass for meadow effect
✅ **Container planting** - pots of spring colour by doorways
✅ **Under trees** - spring bulbs flower before tree leaves shade them out
Why Choose Us for Bulb planting in Ottery St Mary?
Bulbs planted at correct depth
Natural-looking spacing and positioning
Soil improved if needed
Labelled so you know what's where
What to Expect
### Step 1: Planning We'll work out where bulbs should go - informal drifts look best, not straight lines. Mark out areas with you before planting. ### Step 2: Planting Dig to the right depth (usually 2-3 times the bulb height), position bulbs pointy end up, cover with soil and firm gently. ### Step 3: Labelling I'll mark what's planted where - otherwise you'll forget by spring and accidentally dig them up!
Our Ottery St Mary Service Coverage
We cover Ottery St Mary and a 30-mile radius from Exeter, meaning you get local service with the backing of an established business. Whether you're in the centre of Ottery St Mary or in the surrounding villages, we're here to help.
Good to Know
> 🐿️ **Squirrel-proof:** Daffodils are toxic so squirrels leave them alone. Tulips and crocuses are squirrel candy. Plant daffs or cover tulips with chicken wire until they root. **After flowering:** Let foliage yellow and die back naturally (6 weeks after flowering) - that's the bulbs storing energy for next year. Cutting leaves off early = no flowers next year. **Lifting tulips:** Tulips in wet Devon soil often flower less well in year 2. Lift after leaves yellow, dry off, replant in autumn for best results. Or treat as annuals and replant fresh each year. **Bulbs in shade:** Spring bulbs are perfect under deciduous trees - they flower before tree leaves emerge, then die back before shade gets too heavy. **Multiplying:** Daffodils, crocuses, and bluebells multiply naturally over years. Tulips don't - you're replanting those every few years.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bulb planting in Ottery St Mary
When should bulbs be planted?
Spring-flowering bulbs (daffodils, tulips, crocuses) go in during autumn - September to November ideally. Summer-flowering bulbs (lilies, alliums) go in during spring. Plant at the wrong time and they won't flower.
How many bulbs will I need?
Depends on the effect you want. For natural drifts, plant in odd-numbered groups (7, 11, 15). For container displays, cram them in closer. I can advise on quantities when I see your space.
Do I need to provide the bulbs?
Either way works. If you've bought them already, I'll plant what you've got. If not, tell me what you want and I can pick them up - just add bulb cost to the labour price.
Can you plant bulbs in grass for that natural meadow look?
Yes - I can plant drifts of bulbs in your lawn for naturalised spring displays. You'll need to leave the grass uncut until bulb leaves yellow (usually late May), but the spring show is worth it.
What about squirrels digging them up?
Squirrels love tulips and crocuses, less keen on daffodils. Wire mesh over plantings helps, or plant daffodils which they usually ignore. Deep planting makes it harder for them to find bulbs too.
Get a Free Quote in Ottery St Mary
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your bulb planting job in Ottery St Mary.
01392 964094Request Online QuotePricing for Ottery St Mary
* Same rates for all locations in our service area
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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