How about some info from a gal? My concern is  what is going to happen with them? Will I get blooms in spring? Yes, they will bloom in the spring just fine. I have mulch. Should I get some down right away? Cuz now that I think of it, I calculated the planting depth (as instructed on a tulip site) by including the 2" of mulch IÂd planned on using. Maybe thatÂs what caused this? Too close to the surface? Some folks count the mulch in the planting depth, and others don't. I think that really depends upon the plant or bulb, and the type of mulch. I would think that in your zone no more than 1" would really be needed to keep weed seed germination down and for 'looks'. I use shredded bark mulch and figure 2" equals about 1" of soil. And you say they need more cover. Does that mean normally they'd still be doing this growing under the ground? Yes And if so, does that mean they'd still have sprouted in a few weeks anyway? Yes possibly. They would however emerged somewhat later, if they they had more soil/mulch that they had to grow up through. I thought that they spent the winter setting root and then, prior to early, mid, or late spring (depending on the bulb type) THAT was when they started sending up shoots. Had the bulbs been planted earlier, they would have probably rooted in before starting to send up shoots. I have bulbs that have not yet been planted, so they have no roots, but several different cultivars have sent up green shoots from the top of the bulbs. I guess I just thought that since tulips only bloom once that this was the beginning of that growth. And if they freeze then they won't grow a 2nd time. The botanical tulips you planted are good ones for perennializing, unlike so many others. You say early sprouting bulbs is no big deal. So what happens next? Do they continue to grow until they die off from a freeze? And if so, that won't affect them blooming next year? The bloom bud is tucked safely inside of the bulb and will emerge at the right time. Trust me when I say that bulbs survive being planted in soil that freezes, and still continue to bloom just fine. In many area the soil freezes a lot deeper than one plants bulbs. Now a bulb just thrown into a freezer won't survive though. I didn't want the mulch holding in water when my ground is already mud. So long as the planting area has fairly good drainage, the bulbs should be fine. It should not hurt them to be in moist soil, with or without mulch. Often when the fall rains set in here in my area, the soil is very wet for a very long time, like maybe until it freezes for the winter. You don't sound like a dummy. You sound like an individual who invested in and planted some wonderful spring blooming bulbs. It is common for one to be concerned that they will be all right. I can tell you will enjoy your new spring blooms so much that chances are you will be adding to them in the years to come. Sue

Why did you put the lime down? Per soil test and what was your Ph? The way I read your starter fertilizer is that it was intended for new seeding so I'll rule out the herbicide. But, if I read the label correct on the website it was only 10-15-10. What was the fertilizer rate? Can you inject fertilizer through your irrigation system? I suspect there may be some N starvation with the light green color. Can you still see seeds in the lawn? Spring seedings can be difficult. I think you are at the plateau where you aren't seeing a lot of top growth, but there is lots happening below the surface. I'm a little concerned that at a seeding rate of 6.5#'s/1000 you are saying it is thin. If you can still see seeds, then continue to keep the soil moist - not soaking, but moist for another week or 10 days. If you get another 1" of growth in that time I'd recommend a 1/2# of nitrogen and then start to reduce your watering to only a couple times a week for longer periods. After your first couple of mowings I'd add another 1/2# of nitrogen. Cut high and water as needed. I would not reseed again now - save it for the fall.

for a pot.. i would use a pro blend of peat/perlite/vermiculite .. with 1/3 mini bark chunks ... store bone dry in a garbage can for 100 years .... for the ground .. stay natural ... compost/manure.. etc ... improve your soil.. rather than a given hole .... if bad clay soil.. see above re: pots ... if maple.. see above re: pots ... lol ==>> in potting culture.. i would rely on a PROFESSIONAL potting media.. souped up with added drainage thru the bark ... i am of the position.. that mother earth does NOT belong in pots.. and compost is just an unprocessed form of mother earth.. and so is manure ... 'engineering' potting media.. is all about achieving a PREDICTABLE basis of water management ... and there is nothing predictable with cow poop.. or leaf poop .. or any other poop ... [gold star for most use of poop in one paragraph.. thank you all for this award ...] but of course.. its all great stuff as a soil amendment ... now.. that was my opinion ... if you have used it enough .. in pots.. and feel secure with use.. you just go do whatever you want .. but do consider the course additive of bark ... worst that could come of it all is that you have to come back and tell me i was right .. or you came back and tell us.. it worked your way ... good luck ken Here is a link that might be useful:

We've just moved into our new home, (it sat abandoned for well over a year prior to us moving in) and I'm so happy to see tulips popping up! While I can not for the life of me figure out why they are in the center of the yard, I'm excited anyways! Sounds like your garden is doing great!