Friday, January 27, 2012

When do I plant daffodils and tulips? Tending tips?

I live in California and plant my bulbs in November. Right now, I have a yard full of daffodils and tulips. Before I plant tulips, I put them in the refrigerator for 6 weeks, as our winters aren't cold enough for the tulips.

After blooming, leave the leaves, but cut the stem off, to conserve the energy that goes into the bulb. I leave mine out all year, but that will depend upon where you live for tulips. If you do leave the tulips out, you may have to replace them after a few years. Daffodils will multiply and they look lovely in the spring. DON'T get impatient and cut the leaves off; they need that to give you lovely flowers each year. I plant them in the garden, and in containers, to move them where I want them, such as BBQ's and outdoor parties.

Enjoy. Bulbs are the most wonderful thing for any garden, large or small.

When do I plant daffodils and tulips? Tending tips?
you plant them in the fall before the first frost (however i planted mine late this year and they're fine). but typically if you want them to have a higher chance of living, you plant them in the late summer and early fall. they're pretty simple to tend to. just make sure you plant them deep enough if you get harsh winters. you can also put some extra manure, compost, or good ol' dirt on top of where you planted them to give them some extra "insullation".
Reply:You plant them in the fall. Tulips are a bit harder to keep happy year to year. They both love full sun, but daffs can take a bit of shade. When you plant them, use super-phosphate down in the hole. Some people use bone-meal, but in my garden thats asking for varmit trouble. Super-phosphate does the same thing for a phosphorus source but doesn't attract critters. After the bulbs have flowered, but still have nice green foliage, I fertilize with a chemical granular fertilizer. I use 10-10-10, but you could use any organic fertilizer that has somewhat equal numbers of N-P-K. Don't cut the ugly foliage off until after it's died back on its own. I like to plant perennials right over my bulbs to hide the yucky foliage until it dies back on its own.
Reply:You plant them in the fall usually so they go thru the dormant period over winter and then come up and bloom in the spring. But, if you are just buying some, I would buy them in bloom and then plant them after they are finished. Do not take any of the leaves off until they turn brown. It is a process in feeding themselves and getting ready to go dormant again. Hope this doesn't discourage you from buying any. I could separate mine soon because they have multiplied over and over already. But it depends on the soil, keep it loose.


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