Should I put bulbs in the fridge before planting?
If you’re desperate to try growing cold-climate bulbs like Tulips, put them in the fridge (not freezer! However, these bulbs are seldom successful for a second year in warm climates, so treat them as an annual. Prepare your spring-flowering bulbs by placing them in the fridge. They’ll need to chill at around 4 degrees for about 10 to 15 weeks. Spring-flowering bulbs need a period of cold to flower properly, and keeping them chilled simulates a period of ‘winter’.Northern gardeners can leave their bulbs in the ground year round. Southern gardeners may need to purchase pre-cooled bulbs if their winter temperatures don’t provide the chill many bulbs need to bloom. Start planting your bulbs in fall when the night temperatures stay between 40 and 50 degrees.You can plant Crocus bulbs in February if the ground isn’t frozen, though it’s later than ideal. Bulbs planted at this time may produce smaller or fewer blooms in their first season, as they have less time to establish roots.
What bulbs flower in February?
Other winter flowering bulbs like early daffodils and Cyclamen coum are ideal for naturalising in grass. Discover our pick of the top five February flowering bulbs, below. Snowdrops (galanthus) are one of the earliest bulbs to flower, and look particularly spectacular when planted in drifts. It should be noted that weather conditions have a huge influence on the flowering season of Snowdrops. The same Galanthus species can bloom considerably earlier or later from one year to the next, depending on how cold or warm the weather is.Daffodils (Narcissus) and snowdrops (Galanthus) are among the most common naturalizing bulbs, valued for their early spring blooms. They multiply by producing offsets, or baby bulbs, around the main bulb. These can be left to grow into new plants or can be separated and replanted elsewhere in the garden.Snowdrop bulbs are very prone to drying out, so if sourcing bulbs from a nursery or garden centre is the only option, buy them as soon as they are available and plant immediately. Plant snowdrops in a partly-shaded position in a moist, but well-drained soil with leafmould or garden compost incorporated.
Is it okay to plant tulip bulbs in February?
Tulips should ideally be planted in November to December, once the weather has turned cold. This will avoid early growth and subsequent damage to the roots from frost, as well as fungus and disease which breed in warmer conditions. However, tulips can be planted as late as January or February. Plant daffodil bulbs in early autumn, ideally September, and potted bulbs in spring before they come into flower. You can also plant ‘forced’ bulbs indoors in September – such as the fragrant paper-white daffodil (Narcissus papyraceus) – for flowering at Christmas or New Year.You can plant tulip bulbs and daffodil bulbs together in the same pot for color all spring. The daffodils will bloom first in early spring. The tulips will make their appearance in late spring.If you missed planting your bulbs during autumn/early winter and you’ve got a pack of tulips or daffodils laying around in January or February, go ahead and plant them. Planting bulbs like tulips late can also stop them from developing tulip fire, a fungal disease that causes withered and spotted leaves or petals.Planting your daffodils in February is especially recommended if you have some bulbs left over since these won’t last until the next planting season in autumn as the commonly recommended window for planting is between September and November.
Is it too early to plant bulbs now?
As a rule of thumb, you should plant spring-flowering bulbs from early autumn. This gives them plenty of time to produce new roots before the ground freezes with the onset of winter. As a general rule, aim to plant bulbs 6 to 8 weeks before the first hard frost in your area. Planting your bulbs too early can cause them to then sprout too early. Also, keep in mind that most bulbs should be planted three times their height in depth. For example, if the bulb you are planting is approximately 2″ tall, then the top of this bulb should be covered with approximately 6″ of soil.