Tulips do need cool temps to bloom but in zone 6, they will get enough chilling from the weather to bloom in the spring. If you put them in containers, I don't know if you can leave the container out all winter, unless you bury it up to the rim in soil. I tried doing hyacinths in containers last winter, and left them on my patio. Not one came up. But those that I refrigerated all came up and did well. You could probably put the containers in a cool shed or garage, as long as it stays no warmer than 45-50 degrees.

They can be grown in containers indoors. They will need to be chilled for 3-4 months at around 40F. You can do this in a fridge, outdoors, or possibly an unheated area such as a garage so long as it doesn't warm up above 50F during the day. Big hybrids should be safe in a container outdoors in zone 6, but some of the species bulbs are more tender and might freeze.

You can buy bulbs that have been chilled. They will be clearly marked, described as treated for indoors, treated for forcing, etc.

Yeah, I think I do need to chill them artificially. There's no way it can be outdoors, don't have a garage or a basement or access to outdoor area. Just a crummy old apt. Its impossible to find space to keep a pot in my fridge. Do you think it would be okay to just chill the bulbs in the fridge for now?

I put them in a brown paper bag in the butter compartment on the side.

I don't eat fruits really so there's never any in the fridge. Just limes and lemons and herbs. Any of those harmful to the bulbs?

Would it be okay to keep the bulbs in the fridge till Jan to pot them? I'm going to be gone all December and don't want to pot them just a few days before I leave.

I actually did manage to find room for a small pot in the fridge so I've put em in there and covered with some plastic on top. Is that okay?

I got lemons and limes in the fridge. Are those harmful to the bulbs?

You didn't actually need the pot, you can just chill the bulbs in a paper bag.

The danger in the fridge is ethylene gas. Lemons and Limes only produce very low levels and shouldn't be a problem. Things to watch out for include apples, passion fruit, tomatoes, peaches, apricots, bananas, plums, melons (especially cantaloupe), pears, papaya, nectarine, and avocado.

oh no, tomatoes, i got tomatoes. gonna throw them out right now.

i only cook about once a week so will try to remember to buy fresh tomatoes whenever needed.

I'd suggest planting them in your garden, outside. It's not too late. Although forced bulbs provide a beautiful gift of flowers during the winter months, I still prefer having them come up in my yard in spring. I don't like winter very much and one of the things that gets me through is knowing my tulips, daffodils, etc etc will be greeting me at the end of winter. The ritual of planting them in the fall is more enjoyable, despite cold fingers, because it's 'insurance' that winter will pass! Either way, enjoy!