As April draws to a close, the daffodils that once lit up our gardens are beginning to fade. But don’t be too quick to tidy them up—what you do next will decide whether they return bigger and better next year.
According to gardening guru Monty Don, one of the biggest mistakes you can make right now is cutting back daffodil leaves. It might look a bit scruffy, but those green stems are still working hard, absorbing energy and feeding the bulbs for next spring. Chop them off too early and you risk stunting next year’s show.
Instead, the best move is hands-off patience. Leave the leaves until at least June when they’ve fully yellowed and flopped. Only then is it safe to clear them away.
Other smart tips for a strong daffodil comeback:
- Deadhead spent flowers to stop the plant wasting energy on seed production.
- Feed with a balanced fertiliser to give the bulbs an extra boost.
- Mark the spot if you’re planning summer planting—easy to forget where they are!
- Divide clumps if they’re getting overcrowded (but again, wait until after June).
It might feel a little untidy for now, but a few weeks of patience will reward you with an even better golden display next spring. Think long-term: the scruffiness of today is the brilliance of tomorrow.
Happy gardening!