Did you get live plants for Valentines Day? Preserve those forced tulip, hyacinth, crocuses, and paperwhite bulbs, and plant in your garden now, for a return next year. Metro Atlanta temperatures allow us to plant those potted bulbs which may be losing their flourish, in the garden now. Key points to remember:
- Keep bulbs watered before planting, even if flowers are losing their luster.
- Find a full-sun location to transplant.
- Prepare good planting soil, with plenty of compost/organic matter.
- Do not disturb the potted soil. Try to maintain the soil surrounding the bulbs' roots as intact as possible.
- Mulch and water well.
Your transplanting success for next year will vary depending on many factors. The majority of available tulips these days have only two good blooming seasons. Only heirloom will continue to bloom year after year, so your return will be something less that 50%. Hyacinths, daffodils, paperwhites, crocuses, should fair better--In my experience, something on the order of 75 to 80%.
You'll also be able to do the same with your Easter flowers. Give it a shot, for at least a few seasons, the flowers and fragrance will help refresh your holiday memories.
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