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Gardeners’ Forum: “Bulbs”

• Bulbs

  Posted by Stephanie on Tuesday, April 10, 2001 9:38 pm ADT

  I live in Northern Michigan and last fall I ordered a ton of daffodil, tulip, and various other bulbs. By the time I received them we had our first snow and then I was unable to plant. Now it is spring and I am not quite sure what I should do. Is it O.K. to plant bulbs in the spring? If not are there some other options to hold them until Fall, or to keep them from going bad?

  • re: Bulbs

    Posted by Barb on Thursday, April 12, 2001 8:17 pm ADT

    If the bulbs were stored over the winter in a very cool, dry place, then they should still be firm and will bloom for you this spring. In fact they might even be showing a bit of green tips already if they were stored above freezing but at very cool temperature. They need a long cold period or they won't bloom. If you kept them stored at room temperature just check to see they haven't gone mushy or soft. You won't get bloom this year, but plant them anyway...they will just grow leaves which will give the bulbs nutrition for the following year when they should bloom for you.

  • re: Bulbs

    Posted by lmarion on Saturday, October 27, 2001 7:30 pm ADT

    I do not let snow deter me if I haven't gotten all my bulbs in, one can plant up until the ground is frozen. One snowfall usually is not enough the freeze the ground. I usually try to have all the spots predug if I know I will be late putting in the bulbs. I've almost gotten frostbite (it felt like it) one year because I honestly had to have the bulbs in. They bloomed very well come spring. I did not even mulch that year but after I put in my oriental lilies, believe me I started to mulch and have not looked back since. Just remember to water well after planting the bulbs even if it is cold. You want to try to avoid heaving if the ground warms up.