Expert: Laura Walker - 3/13/2005

Question
Hi Laura,

Thank you for taking the time to answer people's questions!

I have a question similar to previous questions, but still I am not exactly sure about my options.  

Just bought some daffodil bulbs, and was assured that they could be planted now.  However, it is March 11, and I live in Maryland just outside of Washington DC.  I see daffodils already appearing in my area.

I am wondering what I might do: (1) plant the bulbs now (following directions you gave in an earlier response, copied below), (2) plant the bulbs outside right now anyway, and hope for the best, (3) store them until the Fall, and then plant, (4) all of the above are possibilities, or (5) none of the above, and try something all together different!

Thanks again,
Don

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I hold my bulbs over ina cool dark space until about the end of February (late winter for us)and then at or about the first week of March(very early spring for us), plant the bulbs(Tulips,Daffodils.Hyacinths,etc.) in fresh potting soil that contains a plant food additive,in a pot or container (window boxes, terra cotta, plastic, stoneware, etc.  Water well.  Keep them in the dark cool room for a few days and as the weather warms,bring them in the house for a few days with a bit of natural window light.  Then move them outdoors when you begin to see some growth on the bulbs.This should then be about first week of April and they should start to bloom at the normal time as the ground bulbs if you're lucky.
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Answer
Don,
It's too late to start them indoors.They of course may statrt coming up showing new green,but by the time they are ready to plant outdoors,it will be close to summer.And daffodils and all spring blooming bulbs do not do well in hot weather.That is why you don't see them blooming in JMay,June or July.
The best thing to do is to hold them over in a cool dry place(Daffodils and Tulips) in a paper box or bag.Do not let them get any moisture,they will rot.
Come fall(Oct or Nov in your area)plant them.They are dormant,storing their energy in the winter months,then will emerge sometime around Feb or March(Tulips a bit later) and will be in full bloom towards the middle or end of March,depending on the variety of Daffodil you plant. Tulips will emerge shortly after and be in full bloom by end of May.
Hope this is helpful to you.
Use precaution on the tulip bulbs though.Moles love the bulbs,but not the Daffodil bulbs.So I usually plant tulips in a cluster and surround them by Daffodil bulbs,hoping to thwart those pesky moles.Also as an added precaution use some mole pellets around each planting.Stick them under the soli surface around the cluster ogf planted bulbs.
Good luck in fall.You will have a lovely spring delay if you follow these instructions!