Fall bulb planting: tulips, lillies allium - Ask Extension
Hello Im wondering the best time to plant fall bulbs. Guidance says -after first frost/freeze... Given we haven't had much of either and the long ra...
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Fall bulb planting: tulips, lillies allium #888335
Asked October 20, 2024, 1:53 PM EDT
Hello Im wondering the best time to plant fall bulbs. Guidance says -after first frost/freeze... Given we haven't had much of either and the long range forecast is for no frost till late November? - Do I wait? I have small species tulips, Alliums, Lillies, to plant. Thanks so much
Dave
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
Bulbs germinate in the soil. The proper soil temps for planting bulbs is 40-50 at about 5 inches. In St Paul, it is now 54. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/climate/climate_monitor/climate_observatory.html
The nights have to stay cool for about another month to sufficiently cool the soil.
Warmer temps (climate change) are making it harder to grow bulbs that require a cold fall and spring. Therefore, keep bulbs in a ventilated bag in the refrigerator (not freezer) to prepare them for planting. The average date of first soil freeze (for now) is 12/8 +/- 1 month in St. Paul. Planting is usually a month before that or between 11/8 to late November.
This is a very challenging time for gardening. I have 800 bulbs from previous years and am waiting to plant another hundred.
The nights have to stay cool for about another month to sufficiently cool the soil.
Warmer temps (climate change) are making it harder to grow bulbs that require a cold fall and spring. Therefore, keep bulbs in a ventilated bag in the refrigerator (not freezer) to prepare them for planting. The average date of first soil freeze (for now) is 12/8 +/- 1 month in St. Paul. Planting is usually a month before that or between 11/8 to late November.
This is a very challenging time for gardening. I have 800 bulbs from previous years and am waiting to plant another hundred.
