When to Plant Quail Daffodils

Season -- Outdoor

• Start outdoor Quail daffodils in fall, before the first frost. Daffodil bulbs need a cold stratification period to encourage root growth for spring flowering. Prepare your soil and plant when temperatures drop to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but before the ground freezes, to ease your workload.

Season -- Pots

• Plant your Quail daffodils in pots for indoor forcing at any time of year, but prepare the bulbs before you plant. Keep the bulbs in a bag and put them in the refrigerator for five to six weeks to encourage rooting and growth before planting them in pots. You may also plant the bulbs and put the entire pot in the refrigerator for the cold resting period.

Soil

• According to the University of Missouri, a daffodil's most important need is for loose, rich soil that drains efficiently. Work outdoor soil to a depth of 10 to 12 inches before planting, and mix 6 inches of organic compost into the soil. The compost increases nutrition and drainage in the soil, and adds moisture-retaining fiber to keep the bulbs healthy between waterings.

Site and Space

• Plant Quail daffodils only in sites that get good drainage and full sunshine all year. Daffodils require sun to grow and develop, and standing water leads to rot and failure. Give each Quail daffodil bulb 4 to 5 inches of space in the planting site for healthy growth.