The Best Time to Transplant Tulips

New Bulbs

• Transplanting new tulips bulbs occurs in fall when the bulbs are still dormant. It's best to get them in the ground six to eight weeks before the first expected fall frost. The tulips use the time leading up to frost to begin producing the roots necessary for overwintering and spring flowering. Tulip bulbs remain dormant until they experience an extended period of cold, which breaks the dormancy. New bulbs planted in spring don't experience the cold, so they remain dormant. Planting in fall ensures the bulbs are able to break dormancy and flower.

Divisions

• Tulip bulbs reproduce and become crowded, making it necessary to dig, divide and transplant the bulbs every three years. Though you can divide them at any time during summer and fall, the best time is right after the tulip reenters dormancy in late spring or early summer. Wait until after the foliage dies back on its own, about six weeks after the last flower wilts, before digging and transplanting the bulbs. Replant the bulbs in the garden at the correct spacing and transplant the extra bulbs to a new bed.

Potted Tulips

• Plants forced to bloom indoors in pots survive transplanting to the outdoor garden if it's done at the right time. Keep the plant watered and provide it with a sunny indoor location while the foliage is still green. The bulbs are ready to transplant once the leaves yellow and die back. Depending on when the bulb was forced, this could be late winter, spring or early summer. If it's still winter, keep the bulb in the pot until the soil warms enough to work. Transplant the bulb outside and care for it as you would any other outdoor tulip.

Transplanting Tips

• When digging up existing tulips to divide or move to another location, take care not to cut or pierce the bulbs with your trowel. Loosening the soil on either side of the bulb then lifting it out of the soil with your hands helps minimize damage. If you can't transplant existing tulips at the prime time in late spring or early summer, mark the location of the plants so you can find the dormant bulbs later in the year when you do transplant. Once planted, the newly transplanted bulbs require nothing more than a thorough watering because they are still dormant.