We are often asked,
“When is the best time to dig and replant our spring flowering bulbs”?
Why would you want to dig them?
Perhaps because they aren’t blooming well.
OR
Perhaps they were planted in the wrong location and they need to be moved.
It’s best to wait 8-10 weeks after the flowers die OR when the leaves begin to turn yellow and flop over. It’s also best to dig before all the leaves have turned completely brown because the bulbs will then be difficult to find. Some green color in the leaves will help you find your bulbs and may also help you get them out of the ground.
If you know where you want to replant the bulbs you want to move and you have easy access to that site, it’s best to have the soil ready for planting before you dig.
How we dig clumps of bulbs from our gardens:
Insert a spade or digging fork straight down into the soil about 6” away from the clump of bulbs you wish to dig. Pull back on the handle, which should begin to ‘lift’ the clump of bulbs. You may need to push the spade/fork a bit farther, pulling back again on the handle to loosen the clump even more.
After loosening the bulbs, with one hand under the clump of bulbs and the other hand on their leaves, gently lift the whole clump from out of the ground.
After your clumps of bulbs are out of the ground, gently shake the clump to loosen the soil from the bulbs. The smaller ‘daughter’ bulbs may separate naturally from the larger bulbs. If they don’t, leave them attached; they will detach themselves when it’s the right time to do so.
Cut the leaves about an inch or two from the bulbs. Whether you are planning to plant them back right away or whether you plan to store them until fall, removing the leaves will make both of those steps easier.
DO NOT WASH YOUR BULBS!!
Planting your recently dug bulbs:
- Plant each one 3 times their height deep (to the bottom of the hole); for most, that’s about 6”.
- Plant them about 3 times their width apart (for most, leave about 2” between them).
- Cover with soil; press down to fill the big air pockets.
- Mulch with pine bark or pine needles if possible.
If you need to store your bulbs until time to plant in the fall, DO NOT WASH THEM! Dry them as quickly as you can – we often use a fan to help dry them.
DO NOT PUT THEM IN THE REFRIGERATOR! The warm summertime temperatures help their buds to form deep within the bulbs.
Once planted in the fall when the soil temperature is between 50 – 60 degrees, their roots begin to form. With well-formed buds and a well-formed root system, you will hopefully have happy bulbs that will produce lovely flowers next spring! Put a note on your calendar on whatever your ‘first frost’ date is to remind you to plant your bulbs!
