I love ranunculus, it’s a great big blousy flower, and so I had to get these bargain bulbs. 

Following the packet instructions I popped the bulbs in water to soak.

They’re quirky little things, resembling bunches of tiny leathery fingers. They should be planted in sandy soil, but I hit a problem…

Frozen soil 
After a rummage round the garden I found some defrosted soil in a sheltered spot. The ranunculus was planted out into this.

The bulbs get a thick blanket of leaf mulch from under the pear tree, and a warm spot in the greenhouse. 

With a bit of luck these will come up in the next few weeks.