Monty Don says one gardening job needs to be done now - it's the 'most important'

Tulips Monty Don

Monty Don shared advice on what to do now

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Sarra Gray

By Sarra Gray


Published: 28/11/2023

- 15:17

Monty Don shared the most "important" outdoor task gardeners should be doing now

With winter just around the corner, Britons should think about preparing their gardens for the cold weather and for next year.

Monty Don has spoken on the gardening task that should be done at this time of year.


He said it is a good time to prepare for 2024 and shared what to plant.

In particular, gardeners should be thinking about planting tulips.

Tulips

Now is the "best" time to plant tulips

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"This is, to my mind, the most important and best job of the month," Monty explained in his blog.

"It is actually something that can be done at any time between now and Christmas although the earlier they get into the ground the earlier they will flower."

Tulips are often a welcome sign of spring and they usually bloom between March and April.

When planting these, Monty advised they should have "good drainage" and tulip bulbs should be planted "as deep as you can".

This will protect the plant from the cold weather and penetrating frost.

Tulips being planted in a container do not need to be as deep and can be planted in layers, Monty added.

Now is the best time to tend to the bulbs as tulips are dormant.

Gardeners should space bulbs "at least twice their width apart and at a depth of two to three times their height", according to RHS.

Tulips

Monty often shares his gardening advice

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It added bulbs should be put into the ground with the pointed end of the bulb uppermost.

In his blog, Monty said it is also a good time to plant garlic and shared tips on how to do so.

He added: "I start planting garlic bulbs in September but it can be done at any time before Christmas to have a good harvest next summer."

Garlic shoots start to show within four to eight weeks. This depends on the type of bulb.

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