How to Gather Flower Bulbs

Mark the place where the bulbs you plan to dig up are located in the garden with a garden stake. Write the name of the bulb on the stake with a permanent marker if you have many different varieties planted in close proximity to one another.

Wait until the foliage, or part of the bulb plant growing above ground, has completely died back. When the bulbs are ready to dig up, the foliage will be brown, dried or nonexistent.

Push the blade of a shovel all the way into the soil at least 6 inches from where the bulbs are located. Push the handle of the shovel down. Pushing the shovel handle down will force the soil at the end of the shovel blade to rise above the existing soil level. You should see bulbs in the soil. If not, push the shovel blade into the soil closer to where the bulbs are located and push the handle down again. Continue this action until bulbs begin to appear in the soil. Be very careful not to cut into the bulbs with the shovel blade.

Don a pair of garden gloves and pick up the bulbs from the loosened soil. Place them in a wooden crate or other well-ventilated container that allows them to dry before storage. Continue digging and gathering the bulbs until you cannot find any more in that location. Clip off any remaining foliage with a pair of hand-held garden shears. Cut the foliage just above the papery bulb collar where the foliage grows from the bulb. Do not cut off the bulb collar. It is designed to shrink and seal off the bulb so the bulb does not dry out.

Spread the bulbs on a sheet of dry newspaper on a table located in a dry location at 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 3 days. The location should be well-ventilated. This will allow the bulbs to dry before long-term storage.