How to ward off Squirrels eating bulbs

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This question was asked by
– C. Bromhead Jones

How to prevent squirrels from eating your bulbs?

Hi there,

Squirrels are a nuisance for your bulbs. Here’s some helpful tips to help prevent Squirrels from eating your bulbs:

    • Use netting or chicken wire: Cover your planting zone with chicken wire, hardware cloth, or netting. A planting basket protected by chicken wire and embedded in the soil can also be effective.
    • Apply a repellent: Opt for rodent or deer repellents that have strong odours to repel squirrels. Natural alternatives such as vinegar or Irish Spring soap may also work.
    • Mulch using gravel: Squirrels often struggle to dig through gravel, making it a viable deterrent.
    • Combine different bulb types: Planting your bulbs alongside others that squirrels find unappealing, or those with a potent aroma that can disguise the scent of the less favoured bulbs, can be beneficial. For instance, the robust scent of crown imperials (Fritillaria imperialis) can effectively mask other odours. Fritillaria

 

The Hart Family

When do you send out Lily bulbs

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This question was asked by
– Angela S

I would like to buy some Lilly bulbs from you and wondered when they will be available to grow in pots please? I am particularly interested in Casablanca, Regale and maybe some other ones.

Hi there,
All Lily bulb orders are dispatched in February/March when they need planting. You can pre-order them now to guarantee the varieties you would like.

Casa Blanca

Lily Casa Blanca

Lily Regale

The Hart Family

When will I receive my lilies?

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This question was asked by
– Samantha

When will I receive my Lily bulbs I have ordered in October?

Hi there,

Thank you for your pre-order for Lilies.
All lily bulb orders are dispatched in February/March when they need planting. We will endeavour to get them to you as soon as possible so please look out for your tracking email in the Spring which you will receive once your parcel has left the nursery.

The Hart Family

Advice regarding overwintering of dahlia plants

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This question was asked by
– Fliss T

Hello

Please could you advise me as to whether it would be best for me to remove the dahlia tubers and store them over the winter or to leave them in the ground.
As well as enjoying the beautiful dahlia flowers which has given me and my friends and family so much please.

Dahlia Thomas A. Edison

Dahlia Thomas A. Edison

Hi there,

Please see below on how to care for your dahlias once they have finished flowering and how to overwinter them:

How to care for Dahlias

Aftercare/Overwintering

    • Once your dahlias have finished flowering and the first frosts have blackened the foliage, cut the plants back to the ground.
    • In well-drained soils, leave the tubers in the ground and mulch over to protect against frosts.
    • In colder climates or heavier soils, lift and store your tubers over winter.
    • If lifting and storing over winter, cut back foliage and carefully lift the tubers out of the soil. Allow the tubers to dry off naturally and then clean away any soil. Trim the stems back and cut off any fine roots. Make sure the tubers are completely dry before storing them into open trays or boxes. Pack with dry sand. Leave the crowns exposed.
    • Replant the following spring.
    • Must be kept frost free.
    • Once the risk of frosts have passed and you start to see signs of growth again, the mulch can be removed.
    • Water regularly during active growth periods.

Care:

    • Support Dahlias with canes on planting and tie in as growth develops.
    • When your Dahlias reach about 40cm in height, pinch out the growing tips with your thumb and forefinger or use a sharp knife. This will encourage branching.
    • Water once a week with a good amount not just a little sprinkle.
    • Deadhead flowers as they fade.

Overwintering:

    • Once the first frosts have blackened the foliage, cut the plants back to the ground.
    • If panted in the garden, in well-drained soils, leave the tubers in the ground and cover with a generous layer of bark chips or compost to protect them from frost.
    • In colder climates or heavier soils, lift and store your tubers over winter.
    • If planted in pots, cut back the entire plant to 4 – 6 inches. Keep the dahlias in their pot over winter. Keep the pot in a cool, dry, dark place that doesn’t freeze like a garage, shed or greenhouse.
    • Don’t water your tubers, just let them stay dry.

Lifting and Storing over winter:

    • Cut back foliage and carefully lift the tubers out of the soil.
    • Allow the tubers to dry off naturally and then clean away any soil.
    • Trim the stems back to 15-20cm and cut off any fine roots.
    • Make sure the tubers are completely dry before storing them into open trays or boxes. Pack with peat-free compost or dry sand. Leave the crowns exposed.
    • Replant the following spring.

 

The Hart Family

Dahlia tubers

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This question was asked by
– J. Miller

Hello. I’ve registered to be sent when dahlias are available. I’m just planning ahead: when do you think tubers may be available ? Regards

John

Hi John

All our dahlias are now in stock for pre-ordering for delivery in the Spring.

You can find them all here: Dahlias

The Hart Family

Information on P&P

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This question was asked by
– Clifton

Good morning.
I would like to order some bulbs from your nursery and would like to ask what the average weight of the bulbs are. For postal reasons.
I have about 81 bulbs from across your range. Two being roots.

Hi Clifton

Each product varies in weight so it would depend on what you are ordering. We don’t charge any extra for the heavier items. We have one standard fee for P&P of £4.99 but if you spend over £60, then P&P is free.


The Hart Family

Pre-order

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This question was asked by
– Alexander Hart – 

Hello, I was just wondering if it was possible to preorder bulbs that are out of season? Many thanks

Hello there,

Which bulbs are you referring to? We’ve put our lilies back in stock and we will shortly be adding the rest of our Spring Planted Bulbs to our website including our popular Dahlias.

Dahlia Wine Eyed Jill

The Hart Family