Care

What should be done for the spring bulbs after they finish blooming?

The most important thing is to leave the foliage on until it turns yellow. The leaves help the bulbs build up its strength for next years bloom. The flower stem should be removed as soon as the flower falls apart.

Should the bulbs be fertilized?

Yes, fertilize the bed as soon as the plants poke through the ground in the spring and again a month later. Apply a fertilizer especially formulated for bulbs or use 2 lbs of 5-10-5 garden fertilizer for 100 square feet of bed. Don't just sprinkle the fertilizer on the plants and leave it. Water to dissolve the fertilizer and move it down to the plant roots.

How often should the bulbs be dug and moved?

Usually for tulips, daffodils and hyacinths every 3 years is often enough to move them. Smaller bulbs can stay in one spot for a longer time. When the number and size of flowers decline it may mean that it's time to dig and replant bulbs.

Digging

When should spring bulbs be dug for replanting?

Mid summer is an ideal time for digging overcrowded spring bulbs because the foliage is yellowing and dying back and we can still find their exact location. Larger bulbs such as tulips, hyacinths and daffodils should be dug and replanted every 2-3 years because of overcrowding.

What should be done with the bulbs after they are dug?

Sort them according to size, dry well in a shady location and store the bulbs in shallow boxes in a cool dry location. Save only the healthy bulbs.

When should the bulbs be replanted?

Tulips and the smaller bulbs are best reset in late September - early October. Daffodil and Hyacinth bulbs should be planted in late September. They require at least 6 weeks to become well rooted before winter. All bulbs prefer a well drained soil and at least partial sun.

Is there anything else to keep in mind when replanting tulips and other large bulbs?

Yes, they generally provide a better show of color if planted in a group of 6-12 and should all be planted at the same depth for uniform flowering.

Planting

When should bulbs be planted?

Bulbs can be planted anytime from September until frost makes planting impossible, but should have at least 4 weeks in the soil before a really deep frost in order to develop a good root system.  Daffodils and Hyacinths should be planted in late September because they take more time to get rooted.

What kind of a location is best?

Bulbs prefer a light well drained soil but will do well in our area if good drainage is provided. Should have at least a half a day of sun to allow the bulbs to rebuild after spring flowering.

How would you go about planting tulip, daffodil and hyacinth bulbs?

Spade the bed area well before planting. If bulbs are small, plant 4 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart. For larger bulbs, plant 6 inches deep and 6-9 inches apart.

This page was last updated August 2002

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