Bulb Care

Planting Bulbs in Fall in Zone 5

lecmt added on November 10, 2016 | Answered

I purchased many bulbs for planting this Fall (tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, crocus, grape hyacinths...). I have not been able to plant them in the ground yet and have been storing them in my refrigerator since they arrived. I'm wondering if they could be kept in the refrigerator for spring planting instead, since it has turned cold very quickly already up here in zone 5, and snow has even been predicted. Thanks, Lillian.

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ANSWERS
Alisma
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Answered on November 10, 2016

For most of these bulbs, your plan of chilling them and planting them outdoors in spring will work. Hyacinths should be planted in fall so that they can establish a root system before the spring. If you plant them in spring, they probably won't bloom the first year.

Another option is to chill the hyacinth bulbs in the fridge, then start them growing indoors in soil during the late winter, then plant the bulbs (with foliage)in the spring.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/hyacinth/hyacinth-forcing-indoors.htm

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