Can bulbs marked fall planting be planted in the spring in NY State?

Just received tulip, ,purple passion('lilac blooms accented by deep purple flames'), and heavenly bluebells . all are marked to be fall plantings. We presently have 4" frozen hard snow on the ground...what should I do?

Can bulbs marked fall planting be planted in the spring in NY State?
You can plant them but it's very unlikely that they'll bloom this year. They haven't been "chilled" underground like they would have if they had been planted in the fall. If you're very lucky they'll come up next year.


The Muse


P.S. You can try refrigerating them until you plant them outside. That may help simulate "winter".
Reply:Well, they "can". Will they come up? Who knows? Try it and find out. They likely won't last until fall.
Reply:The types of bulbs that you have should be fairly easyTulips benefit from a late planting, after say Daffodils etc, which benefit from rooting from September. So I normally plant my tulips in late November or December - when the ground isn't frozen. Bluebells are pretty tough, and should be fairly easy regardless.





You've got a couple of options - plant them in pots, and keep them somewhere cool but not frozen or just wait for the snow and freezes to disappear. Somewhere like a garage or shed that won't freeze would be ok. Ensure they're moist but not waterlogged. You could even prepare the soil, when the snow's gone, by warming it with a cloche, or other cover, ready to put them in the garden. You could leave them in the pots, rather than disturb them, when you plant them out.





Watch out for mice etc, as sometimes they'll eat bulbs - planted or not.





Good luck! Rob
Reply:Wait unti the ground thaws and then plant them. They may come up this year but may bloom very late if at all; however don't really expect anything until next year.





Alternatively, you can force them to bloom inside now and enjoy the blossoms and then plant them once the ground thaws (or store and plant in the fall).



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