Most gardeners would like to know whether it is possible to grow plants on top of your bulbs.
Well, this would be a good idea especially if you want to make the most of the space you have in your garden, and grow a wide variety of flowers.
Can you plant on top of bulbs? Yes, you can plant on top of bulbs using the Lasagna method. This can be done using layers to display each bulb and help them grow and flower eventually.
With the lasagna method, flower bulbs are planted in different layers so that new flowers appear over and over again.
No, the lasagna method has nothing to do with the kitchen. In fact, it’s about bulbs and how they are layered in the garden. If you want to have a magnificent garden full of different flowers in spring, you should plan the arrangement in the flowerbed now.
Pots can also be put in the limelight in this way, for example for a small balcony with little space. In addition, a permanent planting is created because different flowers shine again and again in full color.
But what exactly is the lasagna method when planting flower bulbs? How is it best done and how are the most beautiful patterns created?
What is the lasagna method?
The lasagna method is a particularly smart way of planting flowers. Like a lasagna, they are placed on top of each other in different layers. Alternatively, this type of planting is also called layered or tiered planting .
It is divided into different-looking flowers that stick their heads out of the earth at different times. So flowers keep coming and the flower pot or the flowerbed is not empty when the first flowers have faded. Flowers should be selected that bloom best one after the other, so the bed is always full.
The flowers that bloom first are placed on top. So start with early bloomers such as crocuses, snowdrops, tulips or daffodils and then use bulbs that bloom at a later point in time. It is important to note the successive flowering times so that not all flowers bloom at the same time.
The bulbs are then arranged according to their size. The thicker bulbs come down, the smaller ones up.
By taking advantage of the different levels, the splendor of the flowers is particularly dense in spring. If you plan very well, you can fill your flowerbed with impressive flowers from January to May.
Incidentally, the bulbs for the lasagne method are planted from September to December, always before the first frost.
Planting bulbs in layers
Every beginning is difficult and it takes a long time to wait for the flowers to poke their heads out of the ground. It’s a shame when it doesn’t work properly. To prevent this from happening, we have prepared instructions.
Please don’t throw it away!
After the flowering period in the house, the spring flowers that have been driven do not have to be disposed of. Plant the faded bulb plants in the garden on frost-free days – so you can enjoy the flowers again and again in the years to come.
Lasagne method – this is how it’s done:
- The pot is prepared with expanded clay. To do this, the expanded clay is distributed in an approx. 2-5 cm thick layer at the bottom of the pot. The thickness of the layer depends on the size and height of the pot.
- Now a thin layer of earth follows.
- Then put the first layer of flower bulbs in the pot. The thickest bulbs are planted first. If a pattern is desired, the bulbs should be aligned according to the pattern.
- A layer of earth comes over this again.
- Now the next flower bulbs follow. However, they should not be placed directly on top of the other onions, but placed slightly offset.
- This is followed by another layer of earth and again slightly offset flower bulbs.
- Then put another layer of earth on top.
- Finally, the flower studs with the names of the flowers are put into the pot and your flower bulb lasagna is ready.
Lasagna planting is a way of planting flower bulbs, sometimes referred to as a tiered planting. This means that the different flower bulbs are planted in layers on top of each other, like a lasagna or the floors of a high-rise building.
Because the bulbs are planted in layers, early bloomers such as B. Crocuses, first. This is followed by the flower bulbs, which will start to bloom at a later point in time.
These successive flowering times ensure that you can enjoy your planting for a particularly long time – from January to May.
Ingredients
You will need a few ingredients for your bulb lasagna plant. First and foremost, a pot that is large and tall enough to plant at least three layers.
You will also need expanded clay, potting soil and, of course, various flower bulbs. As soon as the bulbs bloom in spring, you may have forgotten what exactly you planted. Therefore, prepare plant pegs on which you write down the names of the flower bulbs.
Plant layers step by step:
Step 1
Drill a few holes in the bottom of the pot to allow excess water to drain away
step 2
Sprinkle a layer of expanded clay on the ground and put a layer of potting soil on top.
step 3
The bulbs can now be planted in layers. Since certain bulbs bloom at different times, you have to pay attention to the exact flowering sequence.
You start with the bulbs that will bloom last, such as tulips. On top of this, plant a layer of bulbs that bloom a little earlier, like the daffodils. Lastly, plant bulbs that will bloom first, like crocuses. There must always be a layer of potting soil between the different flower bulbs.
Step 4
Cover the top layer of flower bulbs with potting soil. Put the plant pins with the names of the flower bulbs in the pot so you don’t forget them and the lasagna is ready!
Recipes’ for a lasagna plant
Don’t you know when bulbs will bloom and that’s why you find it difficult to determine the order of the layers?
No problem, we’ve put together two sample recipes so you can get to work yourself. But be careful, lasagna plants are contagious! Once the virus grabs you, there is no going back .
Recipe 1
Top layer: Crocus
Middle layer: Hyacinths (Hyacinthus)
Bottom layer: Tulips (Tulipa)
Recipe 2
Top layer: Snowdrop (Galanthus)
Middle layer: Daffodils (Narcissus)
Bottom layer: Tulips (Tulipa)
Spring flowers are cleverly layered
It is common knowledge that flower bulbs thrive in pots. That by layering species and varieties of different sizes you can put together ensembles that bloom profusely throughout spring, perhaps less.
This is prepared in no time at all.
Since different onion and bulbous plants also require different planting depths, loading a container in layers is ideal. At the bottom are the largest representatives of the selection. In very large vessels this can even be the imposing imperial crown.
Mostly, however, large-flowered tulips , hyacinths or daffodils are suitable as a basis for the layered story.
These are then covered with a layer of earth. This forms the basis on which the next layer of planting material is distributed – here come small-flowered daffodils , medium-sized Allium species, Bellevallia or Hyacinthoides to train.
Again earth is poured over it and the closest to the surface are the small crocuses , onion irises , anemones or grape hyacinths .
Flower bulbs in the pot
This principle can be played through in many different ways. All you have to take to heart is the correct planting depth of the bulbs and tubers – in most species it is at least twice the thickest part of the planting material.
Only the imperial crowns want to be three times as deep as their onion circumference in the ground.
So the limiting factors are only the vessel sizes. In the spring, they are the first to sprout many flat, small flower bulbs and bloom quickly. This is followed by the higher-growing, but lower-lying species and varieties.
Before spring it will be winter
Planters can be filled with most types of flower bulbs for a very long time – this is still possible even in Advent.
Place the vessels so that they are protected so that they are neither exposed to excessive temperature fluctuations, nor completely wet or even freeze completely.
All of this is detrimental to the growth of even the most hardy and robust species and varieties. Pouring is very cautious; The onions and tubers must not dry out, but they must not stand waterlogged either.
In severe frosts, the pots, bowls and boxes can easily be put in a cool place. Cellar or a frost-free garage or arbor for a few days or, if necessary, weeks. The onions will also readily form roots there – that’s exactly what counts.
As soon as the first shoot starts, all you have to do is watch it grow and bloom. The cooler the vessels are before and during the flowering period, the longer they will remain attractive.
Conclusion
Planting on top of your bulbs as a gardener can be achieved using the Lasagne method. This method of growing plants has been discussed in this article, taking all the main points into consideration.
