The Best Way to Propagate Tulips

Tulips are bulbous plants that add an array of cheerful blooms to the garden each spring. There are numerous colors available, as well as a variety of petal shapes. Propagation is best done by separating the bulbous roots once every three to five years. Plant the new bulbs in a suitable location and they soon will begin to flower and produce bulbs of their own. This method also prolongs the life of the original tulip bulbs and keeps them blooming reliably for years to come.

Spade
Garden fork
Organic compost
Phosphate fertilizer
Organic mulch

Instructions

- 1
  Dig up the tulip bulbs just after their foliage turns brown in late summer or early fall. Use a spade to gently loosen the soil around the bulbs until they can be lifted easily from the soil.
- 2
  Shake the bulbs gently to remove excess soil. Use your fingers to gently separate the bulbs at the natural divisions visible between them. Discard those that feel mushy, appear damaged or have an unpleasant odor.
- 3
  Prepare a new planting site by loosening the soil 12 to 18 inches deep with a garden fork.
- 4
  Mix a 3- to 4-inch layer of organic compost with the loose garden soil.
- 5
  Incorporate phosphate fertilizer with the soil in the amount indicated on package directions.
- 6
  Plant the newly separated tulip bulbs at a depth equal to double their length.
- 7
  Add water until the amended garden soil feels evenly moist.
- 8
  Spread 3 inches of organic mulch over the new plantings to protect the bulbs from harsh winter weather.

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