Naturalising is a term used to describe the planting of bulbs in grass, allowing them to increase and spread themselves, producing an informal look and feel to the garden. Any grass with bulbs planted in should not be mowed until at least 4-5 weeks after flowering, or until the foliage has turned yellow.

Planting Bulbs in Groups

It is often quicker and easier to plant large numbers of very small bulbs, such as crocuses, by lifting a section of turf and planting a whole group of bulbs in the soil beneath rather than planting each bulb individually.

Method

1. Using a spade or half-moon edger, cut an 'H' shape in the turf. Make sure your cuts are deep enough to penetrate the soil below.
2. Undercut the turf and fold back the pieces to expose the area of bare soil beneath, taking care to avoid tearing or cracking the turf.
3. Loosen the soil beneath the turf with a hand fork to a depth of at least 7 cm (3 in).
4. Fork in some balanced fertilizer or bone meal.
5. Position the bulbs randomly, at least their own width apart, taking care not to damage the growing points.
6. Score the underside of the turf with a hand fork so that the bulbs will be able to penetrate the turf easily.
7. Carefully replace the turf, taking care not to damage it or to dislodge the bulbs.
8. Firm down the turf, by hand, particularly along the joins. Alternatively, tamp it down gently with the back of a rake.

Planting Bulbs Singly

Method

1. Cut the grass as short as possible.
2. Clean the bulbs and remove any old roots and loose outer coatings.
3. Take a handful of bulbs and scatter them over the planting area. They should look natural or random, but you should also make sure they are at least a bulb's width apart.
4. Make an individual hole for each bulb. Lift each bulb in one hand and with your other hand, use a trowel or bulb planter to remove a small circular core of turf and soil to a depth of about 10-15 cm (4-6 in).
5. Sprinkle a small amount of bonemeal into each hole, mixed with a little of the soil from the core. Place the bulb in on top of this, with its growing point uppermost.
6. Take the underside of the small core of earth and break some of it up roughly so that it is completely covers the bulb.
7. Replace the top part of the core with the turf topping and firm it back into the ground, taking care not to damage the growing point of the bulb.
8. Fill in any gaps in the turf with loose soil.
9. Label your bulbs with their type and variety, so you can identify them before and after they flower.

Using a Fork to Plant Small Bulbs

Method

1. Use a broad-tined garden fork to make a series of holes in the turf. The tines should be inserted to three times the depth of the bulb.
2. Rock it back and forth in the ground to expand the holes slightly so that they easily hold the bulbs.
3. Repeat at random over the rest of the planting area, so that the final arrangement of hole gives a natural effect.
4. Thoroughly mix a little bonemeal with some garden soil, and place a little of this mixture into the bottom of each hole, using a small spoon or a widger.
5. Place a single bulb in each hole, growing point uppermost.
6. Cover all the planted bulbs with soil.