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Should I dig up my spring-flowering bulbs?

Bulbs like tulips, hyacinths, and crocus don't naturalize here. We don't have enough days of cold for them to flower again next year. They may grow back but they likely won't produce flowers. These bulbs require 8-12 weeks of cold, and sometimes even 16 weeks of cold in order to flower.

So, we usually treat these bulbs as annuals. We leave them in the ground and re-plant next fall. If you do leave them in the ground, they may re-flower for you next year. It just depends on what kind of cold weather we get.

You can also dig them up and store them. That can be a problem since we don't have basements or other cool storage areas. If you have an air conditioned spot for them, that's fine. 

You'll need to clean them and allow them to dry out. Dust them with a powdery fungicide such as copper or something like Captan. But be very cautious with those fungicides and take protective measures. And do this outside!

Add peat moss to a paper or plastic bag and add the bulbs. If you keep them too wet, they will rot, but if kept too dry, they will use up all their stored energy.

Next fall, chill them in the refrigerator at least 8 weeks before planting in late November or early December.

Sounds like a lot of work! 

So, consider planting bulbs that naturalize for us.

So, we usually treat these bulbs as annuals. We leave them in the ground and re-plant next fall. If you do leave them in the ground, they may re-flower for you next year. It just depends on what kind of cold weather we get. You can also dig them up and store them. That can be a problem since we don't have basements or other cool storage areas. If you have an air conditioned spot for them, that's fine. You'll need to clean them and allow them to dry out. Dust them with a powdery fungicide such as copper or something like Captan. But be very cautious with those fungicides and take protective measures. And do this outside! Add peat moss to a paper or plastic bag and add the bulbs. If you keep them too wet, they will rot, but if kept too dry, they will use up all their stored energy. Next fall, chill them in the refrigerator at least 8 weeks before planting in late November or early December. Sounds like a lot of work! So, consider planting bulbs that naturalize for us.

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