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Blooming tulips are a sign that spring has sprung and its time to get working on your gardens and lawn again. They are better indicators than any calendar that the ground is ready to be worked. Before you can enjoy this natural springtime event however, you must plant your tulip bulbs properly.
When to plant tulips outdoors, most experts agree, is in the fall. Bulbs that flower in springtime need the cold dormant winter period to acclimatize so that they will flower properly in springtime. Plant your bulbs in mid fall approximately two weeks before the first frost. If you don’t hit that time period exactly, don’t worry. As long as the bulbs are in the ground and well mulched before a heavy frost hits, they should be fine.
If you forget or get too busy and miss the fall planting season, you can still plant your tulip bulbs. They will need a little extra care, but can still be planted in spring. You should pack you tulip bulbs in lightly moistened sawdust or sphagnum moss and put in the refrigerator or other cool spot. Do not freeze! Check the moisture level occasionally and make sure that your tulip bulbs stay firm and plump and don’t dry out. They will need approximately 12 weeks in cold storage to complete the biochemical process needed to grow and flower. Early spring is when to plant tulips that have been in cold storage over winter. They should go in the ground as soon as you can get a shovel in the dirt. This allows the bulb to slowly and naturally thaw and sprout just as if it had been in the ground all winter.
Whether planting in fall or spring, weather conditions play an important part of when to plant tulips. Any time you plant bulbs, you want to avoid extreme weather conditions. Pick a day when temperatures are cool and the soil is moist, but not saturated. Always add a layer of mulch over planted bulbs to help retain moisture and prohibit weed growth that will steal nourishment away from the bulbs.
Everyone should have at least one bed of tulips in their gardens. They are a springtime classic and a symbol of the end of winter. Fall is generally when to plant tulips. Fall plantings are the easiest and lowest maintenance method for tulip bulbs. But, with a little extra time and effort, you can plant springtime tulips in time for late spring blooming. You’ll be rewarded for your efforts with a classic springtime display in bold, bright colors.
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about When to Plant Tulips and gardening articles at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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