Expert: Long Island Gardener - 1/30/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi there!  I am in Burlington, NC, zone 7, I believe, and I have a question about daffodil bulbs.  Breck's sent them to me on time, and I just never got around to planting them, and now it's January!!!

What should I do? Should I put them in the ground anyway, and expect that they will take another year to adjust?  Or keep them in the garage?  Or do I have to throw them out because of my laziness?

Thanks for any advice!
Mom of a 2yr old; seven months pregnant, if that's any excuse :)


ANSWER: Better late than never, Monica.  Get them potted asap and keep them in the basement (sub-45 degrees F is necessary for root formation) or the Garage.

Avoid chemicals with any Warnings on them while doing any gardening -- you don't want to risk any side effects they downplayed in the ads.  That includes Lawn care treatments for Grubs and Fungi.

You are not the only one who has ever run into this scheduling problem, Monica.  I don't know a single Bulb-loving gardener who has not sat down with Spring Bulbs that were not yet planted in February, and wondered where the time went.  Including me.

If you have a lot of them (unlikely with Brecks), get a non-pregnant member of the family to fill a new garbage can with soil and moist sand, and throw them in there to develop roots; then remove, pot and grow.  Tricky, but it works; desperate times call for desperate measures.  Fortunately, Toddlers usually love to help with these tasks.

Good luck and thanks for writing; your followups welcome.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much for your answer!!

If the ground is not yet frozen, should I try to put them there?

Answer
Capital idea -- but for best results, cover the plot with leaves, maybe a garbage pail or other protection to keep it warm enough for Roots to grow.  And be careful you don't overwater.  Moist ground does not need it.  Toss in a handful of Bonemeal to build up long term slow release Phosphorus levels.