A friend recently reached out to me with a great question: What’s the best thing to do with bulbs if you have missed the recommended planting season?
Certainly, it is always best to follow the planting and care guide that comes with your bulbs. Following the guide gives your bulbs the best opportunity to thrive.
However, all is not lost is if you find yourself outside the planting guide recommendations. Whether you have received bulbs as a gift, you pulled bulbs off the clearance shelf after planting season (this would be me!), or you simply forgot to plant them in the fall, you still have options.
Personally, I would go ahead and plant them (and I have many times) if:
- The bulbs look healthy – not mushy, mildewed, or dried up to the point they are dust.
- You have a healthy spot to plant them – good, well-drained soil.
A disclaimer is definitely needed here: You should be aware that if you plant bulbs outside the recommended “optimum” planting window, they may not survive.
Yet, my experience with late-planted bulbs is that there is a greater than 50 percent chance of survival. They will likely be “confused” during the first growing season and not produce blooms. However, after a full season cycle, they usually catch up.
For example, I planted these “clearance” Dutch iris bulbs out of season. They are now blooming/thriving after one season.
Another option is to plant the bulbs in pots and store them in a dark, cool place until their shoots appear. Then you can transplant them into your flower bed.
Want to know more? Check out the blog posts on dutchgrown.com. They have great information on a variety of bulbs and bulb care including this one on forgotten bulbs. https://www.dutchgrown.com/blogs/the-dutchgrown-blog/forgot-to-plant-flower-bulbs
Laurie's Leaves 