Category: Factual & Arts TV
Date: 06.10.2005
Printable version
Gardeners' World is teaming up with 91Èȱ¬ Local Radio to offer viewers the opportunity to take part in a nationwide survey to help track spring's impact on gardens across the UK.
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Viewers of the popular 91Èȱ¬ TWO series can get their green fingers on free tulip bulbs from local radio stations across the country to plant in their gardens - and then monitor their progress.
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As gardeners across the country feedback as the tulips bloom, the Gardeners' World team will be able to provide a horticultural snapshot of the combined effects of climate and geography on the flowering of tulips.
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Tune in to Gardeners' World on Friday 7 October to find out how to get involved with Tulipwatch through your Local 91Èȱ¬ Radio Station; or log on to bbc.co.uk/gardening; or check Ceefax page 621.
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Bulbs will also be readily available to buy from garden centres.
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Monty Don, presenter, Gardeners' World, says: "This is an exciting project that everyone can get involved with, and we can discover where tulips bloom best!
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"They should be planted in November and will flower in April and May. I'm looking forward to hearing about the results."
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In the final programme of the current series on Friday 4 November, Monty will plant tulip bulbs in the Gardeners' World garden at Berryfields, giving viewers some top tips for success.
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Viewers are asked to plant their bulbs that weekend too.
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Those who are taking part will be able to contact the Gardeners' World team by visiting bbc.co.uk/gardening or by emailing tulipwatch@bbc.co.uk to reveal where and when the tulips start to flower.
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Gardeners' World is on every Friday at 8.00pm on 91Èȱ¬ TWO, and is presented by Monty Don with Joe Swift, Carol Klein and Sarah Raven.
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Notes to Editors
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Viewers/listeners can collect one pack containing three bulbs from their local radio stations, subject to availability and supply.
The bulbs are being supplied by the Bulb Council.
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Gardeners' World has a yearly trial for various plants and this year it is the turn of tulips. In previous years the programme has trialled sweet peas, sunflowers, dahlias and pumpkins.
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Royal Horticultural Society tips for top tulips
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Tulips are best planted in November.
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Most hardy bulbs prefer a warm, sunny site with good drainage.
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Soil conditions are important. Improve light or sandy soils with humus, incorporated below bulb depth; heavy soils with sharp grit or sand.
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Plant in groups. Excavate a hole to the required planting depth. Fork in some bonemeal then space them at least twice the bulb's own height and width apart. Carefully replace the soil and gently firm with the back of a rake.
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Plant to two or three times the bulb height i.e. the tip of a
5cm (2in) high bulb should be 10-15cm (4-6in) below soil level.
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Some tulips persist from year to year, particularly the smaller Tulipa Kaufmanniana and T. Greigii hybrids, which only need to be lifted when overcrowded.
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Where retained, deadhead after flowering and dig up as the foliage yellows. If lifted while green, allow the foliage to dry off naturally.
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Clean off soil, loose bulb coverings and foliage as it withers and discard any damaged or diseased bulbs. Dust with sulphur (Vitax Green or Vitax Yellow Sulphur Dust) and store in net bags or trays in a cool, airy place.
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Replant full-size bulbs in their flowering position in late autumn; line out smaller bulbs in a nursery bed, feeding with high potash fertiliser to grow on to flowering size.
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Did you know...? Tulip Facts
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Tulips were originally native to Turkey, Iran, Syria and parts of Asia.
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Tulips arrived in Holland around 1575, when the Dutch botanist Carolus Clusius planted some seedlings in the Hortus Botanicus gardens in Leiden and planted some seedlings.
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In Holland during Tulipmania in the 17th century, one tulip bulb, Semper Augustus, was quoted at a price of 13,000 florins, more than the cost of the most expensive houses on the canals in central Amsterdam!
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During this period, bulb merchants earned the equivalent of £30,000 a month by trading in futures. Bulbs changed hands for up to £400 - the equivalent of £4m today, while they were still in the ground and before the buyer had even seen them in flower!
