Thank you very much for replying back to me on this Pam. I was very
frustrated when I realized that I had not gotten the bulbs back in the
ground last fall. And it is definitely a beautiful day today to be working
in the yard.

--
Misty T.

"Pam - gardengal" wrote in message
newsrtZb.24224$Xp.104220@attbi_s54...

"mtostenrude" wrote in message
...

Hello, I have been looking for some information on Tulip planting. Last
summer, we pulled up all of our gardens for re-landscaping-I wasn't
happy
with what the builder had had done and we changed it all to be very
lovely.
I had fully intended to replant the tulip bulbs in the fall and then got
very ill and was unable to do so. By the time I was on my feet again it
was
December and a little too cold up here in Washington-not to mention the
rain. Anyways, my question is, can I start the bulbs inside, or plant
them
and have them still bloom this year? If not, then I will plant
something
different for this year so that I at least have my color in my garden, I
just really love my tulips, seeing them pop up always tells me that
Spring
has arrived.

--
Misty T.

Hello Misty

I live pretty close to you and understand our growing situation, which
tends
to be not very similar to most of the rest of the country. You have a
couple
of options, but first let me say that you are ahead of the game by storing
your bulbs in a cool, even cold, dry location. They have experienced a
sufficient winter chill period and should be ready to go. However, they
need
time in the ground or soil to develop roots from the bulbs, sprout and
bloom. You can plant them in pots or containers now and set them out into
the garden OR you can plant them in the soil directly.

At this late date, it is very likely you will not get the same volume of
flowers that you would had they been planted in the fall, but you will
most
probably get some, but late flowers. And hybrid tulips tend not to be
reliable perennializers - they weaken in time and eventually disappear so
reusing existing bulbs will never result in the same full flush of flowers
you get from planting new bulbs each season.

You have nothing to lose by planting now and could still get some very
satisfactory results. I'd certainly include some bulb fertilizer in the
planting area or container, but don't overdo and mix it into the soil
well -
direct contact with straight fertilizer, even organic ones like bone meal,
can burn tender roots.

pam - gardengal
Shoreline