Question: I have tulips that are blooming at my grandmother house. We are selling the house. Can I take the bulbs now? And how do I do this?
Hardiness Zone: 6a
Lynette from Chelsea, Michigan
Answer: Lynnette,
The best time to harvest tulip bulbs is after the foliage dies back in the spring and the bulbs have gone dormant. However, as long as you can still identify where the bulbs are located in the ground, you can also dig them up in the summer. The main thing is to make sure you don't slice into the bulbs and damage them with your trowel while digging them out. You also to want try to disturb the roots as little as possible. As you dig them up, take note on how deeply they are planted. You'll want to return them to this depth when you're ready to replant them again in the fall.
After you dig them up, wash any excess dirt off the bulbs, and store them in a single layer in a cool, dry place with plenty of air circulation.
Most tulip bulbs only last a few years before they start to lose their productivity, so depending on how old the bulbs are now, you may want to assess whether or not transplanting them is worth it, or if replacing them with a similar variety is a better option.
Ellen
About The Author: Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at http://www.sustainable-media.com
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