Jealousy is not a nice trait. Nobody likes the green eyed monster. What is she talking about now?

Bulb envy of course!

Next spring when your neighbour's garden is awash with dazzling daffodils and tremendous tulips avoid looking on enviously and get some in the ground now to reap the rewards of bulb glory!

Spring flowering bulbs such as daffodils, crocus and hyacinths and your hardy summer-flowering bulbs such as alliums, crocosmia and lilies can all go in now until end of October.

You have until November for tulips so a bit longer to ponder over your selection.

For bulbs in the border:

When planting group at least six bulbs together for a better effect or 25 to 50 for a really impressive display.

Use three times the bulb size as a guide to how deep you need to plant, leaving twice the bulb width between them.

Cover with soil and firm but avoid treading on the soil or you could damage the bulbs. Dark crimson red tulips are still some of my favourites try ‘Black Parrot’ teamed with a vivid orange ‘Cairo’ for the perfect pairing.

Bulbs to brighten your back door:

There’s nothing quite like a cheery daffodil to greet you home on a dark and cold March evening.

Bulbs do well in containers and you can really go to town with them layering them up in a kind of bulb lasagne with the largest/latest flowering bulbs at the bottom.

Try ‘Flaming Spring Green’ tulip which has flashes of red across green and ivory petals…then another layer of compost and the smaller, early flowering bulbs on top like crocus or Muscari (grape hyacinth).

Top dressing with grit will keep the pot looking good all winter.

Bulbs in the lawn:

Great for areas that you may not be able to normally grow much as it is too dry or shady, naturalizing bulbs under deciduous trees and in lawns is a great way to brighten a dull area.

Daffodils and crocus work well in the lawn try Crocus biflorus ‘Blue Pearl’ AGM and Narcissus assoanus for short grass, Narcissus poeticus ‘Plenus’ for taller grass.

Scatter randomly over chosen area and plant where they fall for the best naturallising effect.

A bulb planter is best for this or for smaller bulbs you can lift or roll back a section of turf, lightly fork over the soil, place bulbs and firm turf back in place. Remember you will not be able to mow the area for at least six weeks after flowering so bear this in mind when choosing your planting area.