How to Store Jonquil Bulbs

Jonquil is one common name for the flowering, bulb plants within the genus Narcissus. Jonquils express a wide range of traits, but most feature a pleasant fragrance, bicolored flowers, and a brief blooming period in early spring. Like all bulbs, jonquils die back soon after their blooming period. Many gardeners dig up and store the bulbs until autumn to use the garden bed for other purposes during the growing season. Storing jonquil bulbs is very simple and will not harm the bulbs in any way, as long as they are kept dry, cool, and out of direct light.

Pruning shears
Garden trowel
Mesh or paper bag

Instructions

- 1
  Wait to dig up jonquil bulbs until after all the foliage has died back for the year. Do not dig up jonquil bulbs before the foliage has died, because the bulbs require the foliage to gather nutrients that will be stored in the bulbs.
- 2
  Insert the blade of a garden trowel or the tines of a cultivating fork into the soil 2 to 3 inches away from the jonquil plants. Work the tool into the soil to a depth of at least 4 inches.
- 3
  Pry the soil upward to force the bulbs to emerge. Gather the bulbs. Brush off soil or debris clinging to them. Inspect the bulbs for signs of illness -- soft spots, visible worms or mold. Discard any compromised bulbs immediately.
- 4
  Pull off the remaining foliage from the tops. Set the bulbs on a flat surface under shade to dry out for an hour or two.
- 5
  Place the jonquil bulbs into a mesh or paper bag. Secure the top of the bag. Do not use plastic bags or airtight containers for storing bulbs, because the trapped moisture will cause them to rot.
- 6
  Place the bag of jonquil bulbs in a cool, dry place away from direct light, such as inside a closet or pantry.
- 7
  Plant the bulbs in mid autumn, a few weeks before the first frost.

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