About Long Island Gardener Expertise Growing Tulips? Dahlias? Daffodils? Gladiolus? It doesn't get easier than bulbs and tubers. Once in a while, something goes wrong: The dreaded Narcissus Bulb Fly, which resembles a honeybee. Mosaic virus, which can ignite a field of tulips in a single season. Nematodes, lurking underground. Here on the North Shore of Long Island, the garden is full of surprises. If you live in the Northeast/Atlantic Coast, I can help you pick the right bulb for every season, indoors and out, and help you fertilize, bloom and harvest for home or work. How: I have degrees in related fields, but my best understanding is all learned from trial and error. For most of my 53 years I have been gardening somewhere. No matter what the problem, I've learned the best answers are always Organic -- Earth friendly, less expensive, healthier for people and pets, easier and cleaner than toxic liquids and powders that big chemical companies sell so smoothly.
Experience Besides degrees in related fields, and a few favorite horticultural societies, I work as a docent at our local botanical gardens -- but it's the years of work in the garden that's the real test.
Question I bought a bunch of bulbs (tulip, crocus, and daffodils) last year and didn't have a chance to plant them before winter. They sat in a cabinet in my garage for the past year and I am wondering if I would still be able to plant them this year. My zip code is 98629. Thanks so much!
Answer Such a polite and complete question -- you deserve a great answer, but unfortunately, I can only offer you hope.
It won't hurt to try.
Odds are, none of your Bulb bunch will survive. From time to time, however, one or more might get exactly the right conditions to give it a new lease on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and it will sprout, maybe even bloom, against all odds.
Get them in the ground and pray for rain. Who knows what the future holds? Like the man said, Yes we can.
