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Broadback[_2_] · 02-04-2009, 03:31 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening

rjbl wrote:
Charlie Pridham wrote:
In article ,
says...
Anyone got any useful tips for speeding up ripening of spring / early
summer flowering bulbs planted in grass land? (native daffs, bluebells etc)
The challenge is that the grass gets too long whilst we are waiting for
the the bulbs to show the obvious signs of having ripened-off and when
tis eventually cut it is not a pretty sight. We have been doing the
first cut of the embulbed areas in about June. How can we bring the cut
forward for about 4 weeks without comprising the spreading and
naturalisation of the bulbs?

Anyone got any useful ideas?

rjbl

Take the grass down in two or even three stages in June setting the
blades as high as possible the first time, it also helps to give the
whole area a couple of close cuts in the winter/early spring before the
leaves get in the way. but what ever you do it will still not look as
good as areas without bulbs until July

Charlie

Thanks, I appreciate your advice. Will do as you recommend.

rjbl

Personally I keep an eye on Council verges where there are established
bulbs. When they cut I consider I can, often before I normally would,
worked ok to press.