Store tulip bulbs in the vegetable crisper of the refrigerator. Place them in a plastic bag with holes punched in it for air circulation, which is usually how they are sold. This should be done in early September.
Choose a location in your yard where the tulips will receive full sun during bloom season. They require well-drained, fertile and loose soil. Add peat moss to loosen the soil.
Plant tulip bulbs in the ground five to six weeks before the first frost when the ground is below 60 degrees. Place the tulip bulbs with the pointy side up, 6 to 8 inches deep and spacing each bulb 6 inches apart. Cover firmly with soil and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch to keep the bulbs warm during the winter.