Can Daffodils Be Moved and Planted?

Timing

• Daffodils flower in early to mid-spring. After flowering the foliage remains for another six to eight weeks, collecting energy for the bulbs. Dig the daffodils and move them after the foliage dies back naturally in early summer to ensure the bulbs have replenished themselves completely. Alternatively, you can mark the location of the bulbs and move them in fall six to eight weeks before the first expected frost. Do not move bulbs in winter or during the spring flowering and growth period since this can weaken and kill the daffodils.

Site Preparation

• The new planting location must provide full sunlight in spring. Daffodils also require well-drained soil and can't tolerate areas that collect standing water after rain or during snow melt. Prepare the bed prior to moving the daffodil bulbs. Work 1 or 2 inches of compost into the top 12 inches of soil to improve drainage and prevent soil compacting in the bed. Daffodils benefit from light fertilization. An application of 2 lbs. of complete fertilizer per 100 square feet of bed is sufficient. Work the fertilizer into the top 8 inches of soil so the bulbs can access the nutrients when they begin sending out new roots.

Digging and Dividing

• Bulbs go dormant during the summer so there are no roots or signs of growth emerging from the bulbs. Loosen the soil in the daffodil bed carefully with a garden fork or trowel, taking care not to pierce the dormant bulbs. Lift the bulbs from the loosened soil for inspection. Only replant healthy bulbs that have no damage or signs of rot. Dispose of shriveled bulbs or those with soft spots. Some bulbs may have smaller bulbs forming on their sides. Twist these apart and plant both bulbs as they will both develop into new daffodil plants.

Replanting Care

• Plant daffodil bulbs as soon after digging as possible since these flowers don't store well. Set the bulbs in the new bed with the flat side down and the top of the bulb sitting about 4 inches beneath the soil surface. Spacing 8 inches apart in clusters of five or seven bulbs provides a fuller look to your garden in spring. Leave a 12-inch space between each cluster to prevent overcrowding later. The daffodils require winter frost to break dormancy properly, but a layer of mulch prevents damage from repeated freeze and thaw cycles that can otherwise push the bulbs out of the soil.