Container gardening with bulbs?

I want to plant some bulbs in a container so I have some pretty flowers in the spring to put on my balcony. I know I have to plant them soon, but I'm pretty clueless about actually getting things to grow. I have grape hyacinths, hyacinths, tulips, and daffodils. I live in Maryland, just outside DC. Balcony faces north. I know I'll have to bring the container in once winter arrives. How often, if at all, do I water and fertilize while it's inside? How much sun, water, and fertilizer should it get while it's sitting on my balcony looking like a pot of dirt? How cold can it get before I move it in? How warm does it have to be before I take it back out? What kind of potting medium?



HELP!

Container gardening with bulbs?
If you get a large container, and perhaps surround it with styrofoam there is no need to bring it inside. In the DC area you might not even need styrofoam. (Unless it stays below 0 for a more than a day or two.) Make sure there are drainage holes in the bottom, preferably with a saucer to catch them.



Just plant with a potting mix, most already contain fertilizer so no need to add more. Water lightly, and unless there is no exposure to the rain don't worry about further watering. In winter, you might add evergreen boughs to the top to dress it up.
Reply:All of the answers are good. I was taught a trick with bulbs .Right before blooming season, put them in a brown paper bag, in the bottom of the fridge for 2 weeks,take them out and plant. The cold fools them into blooming. It does work.
Reply:Don't forget the bone meal when you plant them! A tablespoon or two in with the bulb should do you. This helps to promote a healthy root system.
Reply:keep the soil moist. not wet. let the soil dry out a little. about once a week. it really doesnt matter if you leave them in or out. if you want bring them in now.
Reply:you can buy a bulb mix but if not a good premium potting mix will do.because the setting on of winter keep bulbs a little on the drier side.if you take your pointer finger and dig to a depth of the first knuckle notice if it is still damp.if it is dont water.if it is dry .water.being a cold climate bulb they should not get hit by the frosts.if it snows bring it inside for the sheer fact you wont see it.you can feed them with a water soluble fertiliser once flowering.if you fertise before hand youll get lots of leaf.slow release fertilisers wont do that crash hot in the cooler months as they rely on temperature as well as moisture.
Reply:Perenniel bulb such as daffodiles %26amp; tulips will be the first to bloom in spring. Plant in potting soil (about 4-6" deep) %26amp; leave outside (they hibernate/rest in the winter). Don't water. Plant now, put outside %26amp; forget them until spring.