Tulip time in Worcestershire

Derek knows his tulips

* Remember there are early, mid and late tulip varieties. Careful planning will ensure continuous blooming in spring.

* Tulips will bloom in any sunny spot. The only place where growing them will be a problem is in very wet soil, as the bulbs can rot.

* Prepare the soil thoroughly before planting by digging it over and adding fertiliser and a bit of compost. It is best to plant winter bedding and bulbs in mid-October so that they get good growth before the hard frosts set in.

* Dig the ground to a depth of 30cm (1ft) before planting. If your soil is heavy or sandy, dig in plenty of compost and well-rotted manure. A handful of and blood, fish and bone will help.

Tulipa 'Spring Green'

* I put down a general compost of fish, blood and bone three times a year – in May, at the end of June and in October.

* The key with tulips is to lift them with their tops on, getting the fork right under the whole bulb so you don't damage it. When the top foliage dies down, it breaks off more easily and keeps the bulb intact. Then, keep the bulbs in a dry, airy place until you plant them the following autumn. Lift them from May when they have developed seedpods.

* Replant new bulbs every two to three years. October or November is the ideal time for planting tulip beds, but any time before the ground freezes hard will do.

* If flowers are not cut for indoor decoration, be sure to cut them as soon as they fade. Formation of seed pods takes food that otherwise will go to the bulb for flower growth the following year.