On 30 May 2003 09:13:21 -0700, (KR) wrote:

When is the best time to dig up the daffy's? After they die back?
Can I also store them in a cool place until September?


(Frogleg) wrote

I have very few tulips that return at all, much less multiply. If
yours are doing well, I'd leave 'em alone. Daffodils, OTOH, will have
fewer blooms as they multiply in place, and are invigorated by being
dug up, divided, and replanted. However, this is clearly visible in
the spring when you have a fine crop of dense foliage and 1 or 2
blooms.

IMHO, the best time to dig, divide, and transplant is in the fall. You
want to leave the daffs alone while their foliage is gathering
strength for the next season. Any time after would seem to be OK for
digging, but why dig and store when you can dig and plant directly? I
expect if you dug refrigerated some bulbs in late spring/summer, you
could retrieve for forced indoor bulbs in late fall, having fooled
them about seasons. I've never tried it.

The problem I have is remembering where the critters are planted
*after* the foliage is gone. A few markers or a rough garden map is
recommended. :-) Plants in appropriate climates are pretty tough. If
you have the time and energy to dig in late spring and plant in fall,
they'll probably be OK. In fact, I don't see any particular reason not
to relocate at any time the foliage isn't showing and the ground isn't
too frozen to dig.