Growing & Care

Questions & Answers...

"How many bulbs do I plant and how far apart do I plant them?"

The number of bulbs to use in each area or bed is determined by the gardener and the requirements of the particular bulb species. Some people like to plant them thicker, whereas other prefer to spread them out. The following numbers are given as a guideline:

As a rule, planting bulbs in clusters is more effective and striking than planting in uniform rows. Try alternating plantings with different blooming times so that the garden continues to provide color over a longer season.

"How are the display gardens planted for the Tulip show?"

After working the soil, we will apply our bulb fertilizer on the soil surface. Then we place out bulbs 2 inches apart on the fertilized soil. Approximately 50 bulbs per variety in each display bed. Finally we cover the bulbs with six inches of medium fine barkdust. Due to how close together we plant the bulbs we dig them every year.

"What do I do with my bulbs when they stop blooming?"

After your tulips finish blooming, the seed pods need to be snapped off. This allows all the nutrients in the stem and leaves to flow to the bulb. Do not bend the stems or tie with a band. Let the stems die naturally. Perennials and annuals can be planted over the top of your bulbs to give color through the rest of spring and summer as the bulbs rejuvenate for next year.

"Do you dig your tulips fields every year?"

After the spring show in April, our crew will remove all the flower heads. This prevents the petals form dropping and creating disease in the fields as well as it promotes a larger bulb. We let the stems die naturally and then harvest in June. We dig our fields every June and plant the tulips into a different field every October. We rotate the fields to prevent disease and to avoid the volunteer tulips. We recommend you dig the tulips in your landscape every 3 years.

"When is the best time to lift (dig up) tulip bulbs?"

June is a good time to lift tulips. Once the foliage on the plant has turned brown and dried, the bulbs are ready to be dug. Use a garden fork rather than a shovel to help minimize the risk of digging through any bulbs.

"When should I plant my tulip bulbs?"

You will want to plant your bulbs in the fall, ususally September through October, before the ground freezes. Tulip bulbs will not last out of the ground, so it is important to plant them when you recieve them. Be sure to to plant in well-drained soil in partial to full sun.

"What should one do with the bulbs after they are lifted from the ground?"

Clean off the old roots, they should separate easily from the cluster of bulbs. Separate all the bulbs, there may be different sizes and numbers under each plant. Different varieties of tulips produce bulbs in different amounts and sizes. Of course, some years the weather may also affect your production. Store the bulbs for the summer in mesh bags, for plenty of air circulation, hung up in a cool place. An open box of wood or cardboard can be used also, but mice may more easily invade an open box. Remember the bulbs are alive and will suffer damage if stored in plastic or in boxes filled more than five inches in depth with bulbs. Keep the temperature below 90 F for best flowers in the spring.

"To dig or not to dig."

Tulips in cooler locations (hardiness zones 8 and under) do not have to be dug every year. To keep tulips healthy and productive, dig most tulips every three years. Tulips do not like to be crowded, that is the more bulbs in a hole the smaller the bulbs become each year, the fewer flowers produced. Small bulbs produce only leaves, but if replanted and cared for, the small bulbs grow into larger bulbs that produce flowers the following year.