Tulip & Bulb Care

Choosing Bulbs

• Buy tulip bulbs in early to mid-fall to avoid long storage periods. Choose bulbs that are large and firm. If you feel any "softness" to the bulb, throw it away. Plant as close to the first frost as possible.

Soil and Planting

• Tulips will thrive best in full sun. Light soil amended with sand and peat moss (especially if you have clay soil) will promote growth. Dig holes 8 to 10 inches deep, add 1 tsp. of bone meal, and plant the bulb with the tip up.

Cutting Back

• As blooms fade, cut the seed head from stems to help bulbs retain nutrients. Cut back leaves only after they have completely dried, as tulip bulbs draw nutrients for next year's growth from their leaves.

Protecting Bulbs from Rodents

• If chipmunks or other yard pests are stealing tulip bulbs, try surrounding bulbs with chicken wire, or plant them with bulbs that pests don't like, such as daffodils.

Dividing and Storage

• To increase future flowering, dig up tulip bulbs in early summer. Divide small bulbs from larger ones, clean off all dirt, trim off roots and any dead leaves, and store in mesh bags in a cool area.