Expert: Kenneth Joergensen - 5/19/2005

Question
Hello!  I live in the 19111 zip code in Pennsylvania.  There are some bulbs - lily of the valley, hyacinths, and a few tulips - in the dirt in front of my house.  Someone was helping me pull weeds, and he pulled the bulbs out thinking they were dead (he didn't know they would come back every year).  I have had the bulbs sitting on top of the dirt behind a bush for a week since I haven't had time to replant them.  Are they still good?  Is there any general information I should know about planting bulbs?
Thank you!

Answer
I don't know if the bulbs are still good. Normally they need 6-8 weeks of growth after flowering with green foliage to recharge for next year's bloom. I suggest you replant the bulbs; in pots if necerssary; and water well to settle the soil around the roots. Leave the foliage on the bulbs and let the leaves die back naturally (turn yellow and wither). Once the leaves have died back, you can replant the bulbs in their permanent homes.

When planting bulbs, plant them in a hole 3 x the dept of the bulb, e.g. a 2" deep bulb is planted at the bottom of a 6" hole (e.g. covered with 4" of soil). Water deeply (long and slowly) to ensure the water penetrates to the dept of the planting.

Fertilize the area in fall, and twice in spring (as the bulbs poke their head above ground and again just before flowering).