Weather Description Temp. Wind Average Gusts Rain RH Pressure; 1 AM: Partly cloudy : 63Â°
Sometimes, though, circumstances delay planting and the ground freezes in the winter. Plant the tulip bulbs as soon as the ground thaws in the spring, even if new growth has already started. Dig the soil up to a depth of 12 inches. Remove weeds and rocks. Break up soil clumps and loosen the soil. Spread 1 inch of peat moss on top of the planting area. Work this into the soil to the depth of 12 inches.
You need to refrigerate the bulbs for at least 6 weeks before planting. Place the bulbs in a brown paper bag and then into the refrigerator. You can dig the bulbs after the tulips have bloomed and the leaves have turned brown. Dry the bulbs in a spot with good air circulation and then store them in a cool, dark area. Plant tulip bulbs in the fall, 6 to 8 weeks before a hard frost is expected and when soils are below 60 degrees F. (See our frost charts.) This timing ranges from early autumn (Zone 4) to late autumn (warmer zones).