When to Plant Tulips in Georgia

Typical Time Period

• Your tulip bulbs prefer soil temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, you need to plant them between October and December in Georgia -- lingering summer heat makes September a poor planting time. This fall planting time allows the bulbs to establish a root system for healthy blossoming come late winter and spring. When you plant the bulbs 8 inches deep with the bulbous end pointing downward, water the area immediately after covering the bulbs with soil. This initial moisture coupled with mild soil temperatures provides a healthy growing environment for spring-flowering bulbs.

Cold Treatment

• Because Georgia's warm hardiness zones do not offer low winter temperatures, your tulip bulbs need to have a chilling period before planting them. For the best blooming results, in June or July place the bulbs in an open paper bag within your refrigerator -- the temperature should remain between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately three to four months. This cold stimulation causes the internal flower bud to begin development. After refrigeration, your normal planting time should resume. Roots should develop quickly for a prolific springtime bloom.

Location Consideration

• Although tulips commonly prefer a full sunlight location, Georgia climates can grow extremely warm, especially in the afternoon. Choose a location that has ample morning sunlight with afternoon shade, such as under a tree. When your tulips are in bloom, keep the surrounding soil moist to prolong the blossom; the soil needs to be well-drained to prevent bulb rot. With a proper location in Georgia's warmer climate, the blossoms should remain upright and healthy for several weeks.

After Bloom Care

• As spring subsides, do not be tempted to cut the tulip foliage away to clear room for summer-blossoming plants. Your tulips continue to photosynthesize as the leaves turn papery and yellow, usually up to eight weeks after blossoming. Although unsightly, the bulb stores this remaining energy for next year's growth. You can remove the bulb from the ground once the foliage completely dies back. For the best care, place the bulbs indoors in a cool and dry area, preferably around 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit until planting time arrives again.