How to Relocate Lily Bulbs

The lily produces large, showy blooms in early to midsummer, creating an explosion of bright color in the garden. These hardy plants reproduce via underground bulbs. Common varieties range in color from pale yellow to brilliant shades of orange and pink. Blooms appear in clusters atop long, slender stems. Short, spiky foliage lines the stalks. As cut flowers, lilies retain their color and beauty for a week or longer.

Garden tiller
Compost
Well-rotted manure
Knife
Spade or garden fork

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare a new bed for your lilies in the fall. Till the soil to a depth of 8 to 12 inches in a sunny location. Add a 2- to 3-inch layer of compost or well-rotted manure, and work it into the soil. Lilies prefer well-draining soil rich in organic matter.
- 2
  Water your lilies thoroughly the day before you intend to move or divide them. This prevents damage from moisture loss and softens the soil, making digging and moving them easier.
- 3
  Cut the lily foliage back to 4 inches from the soil for ease of handling. This also prevents the plants from wasting energy on old foliage and channels energy into root formation.
- 4
  Use a garden fork or spade to dig around the base of the lily plant, 4 to 6 inches from the main stalk. Slide the blade of the spade under the clump of lilies, and lift them free from the soil.
- 5
  Divide the bulbs by gently pulling them apart with your hands.
- 6
  Plant large lily bulbs to a depth of 6 to 8 inches, and small bulbs to a depth of 4 inches.
- 7
  Firm the soil with your hands to remove air pockets.
- 8
  Water thoroughly to moisten the soil to the depth of the bulbs. Water once or twice a week to keep the soil moist and encourage root formation.

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