Is it time to Winterize yard? Plant bulbs?

15 years ago

My yard didn't fare too well during this summer's drought, but I want to make sure I put down the fall/winter fertilizer...just in case we get some rain next spring/summer. So...is it too early to put it down, or do I need to wait until it gets cooler? Is there any kind that you don't have to wait until it rains or you water your lawn before (or after) applying?

Also, I gave my mother about 20 Amarylis bulbs four years ago and they have now multiplied to somewhere in the 100's. It's time for her to divide and I'm going to get some, but want to dig and plant at the right time. Should I wait until it gets cooler for this, as well?

Thanks!

Beverly

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Comments (18)

Iris GW
15 years ago
As for the grass, what kind do you have? Have you looked at Walter Reeve's calendar?

As for the bulbs, I think it is best to plant now to get some root growth going.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lawn Care Calendars
razorback33
15 years ago
I am planting Fall flowering bulbs as soon as received. (Fall Crocus, Sternbergia, Lycorus, Colchicum), but am waiting to plant the Spring blooming ones, Spring Crocus, Narcissus, Tulips, Hyacinth, Muscari, Iris retics, until the soil temperature cools down into the 50's. Probably late Nov-early Dec.
I grow only species Tulips and plant them along with the spring flowering bulbs.
Rb
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Well, you don't even wanna leave glads out in a pot over the winter, they won't make it. You may wanna try up on a shelf in one of your closets. Usually they are cooler areas. Just to see, you could take a thermometer today stick it in the closet on the shelf, and check it every 6 hrs or so..write down the temps every time you check. If it doesnt go over 65, it'll work out well. Check the temps now, while its still cold so you can get a general idea for next winter. What you will wanna do in the fall, after the first frost kills the leaves, cut the stalks down to about 6". Gently dig up the bulbs, now you have that 6" handle to gently pull the bulb out. If you want you can label the bulbs with a Sharpie/permanent marker, write right on them so you know what's what. Now you can cut off excess stem. You can divide them now if need be, or wait till spring. Go to the Dahlia forum for instructions on how to divide, it's a PIA. Dip your bulbs in bleach water. only 1 part bleach. Lay your bulbs out to dry for a couple days, make sure the squirrels dont get them, do not leave them in the hot afternoon sun either, as this will really dry them out. I feel the best thing to store them in a a mesh bag, like a laundry/lingerie bag. Put some pine shavings in there. What I do is a layer of shavings, throw in some bulbs, another layer shaving, another bulbs, etc. Keep them in that dark, cool place till spring. You may wanna check on them a few times over winter to see if any have gotten mushy or moldy..if any have, then throw them out, make sure no others are affected. You dont have to really divide glads, they just pull apart with your fingers basically. I never divide them, the babies don't usually bloom their first year so I leave them attached to the mother. But I also have mine inground, no need to dig them up in the fall if they are in the ground here. You may be better off just treating them as annuals if you can't find a cool enough spot. Just buy new bulbs every spring. They aren't expensive. Daniella
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I am probably in the exact same zone as you are, because I live right on the top of 8A or at the bottom of 7b. Though I don't live in the desert. Are you in the Southwest? Anyway, Here's the deal for our area. Tulips and hyacinths need more winter chill than you can ever give them. Put them into the refrigerator right now (but NOT in a drawer with fruit! Fruit gives off a gas that will kill the blooms) Mark your calendar for 6 to 8 weeks from when you put them in the refrigerator. At that time, regardless of the weather, take them out and plant them. You can plant daffodils, crocus, and iris NOW or as late as New Year's Day. Honest!!! They may come up if we start getting rain and it starts to get colder. But if they do, don't worry. They will stay green all winter until it's time to bloom on schedule. I often have bulbs in my yard coming up at Thanksgiving time, but they know it's too soon to bloom and they don't until it's time. Now, the time they bloom for us is going to be earlier than for folks who live up north. My first daffodils are usually blooming in early to mid February, but that is normal for our climate. You also need to know that your pre-chilled bulbs may very well come up and bloom almost immediately once you plant them outside, especially the tulips. This is a good thing and a bad thing. Good, because the blooms will last way longer in the cool of our winter. Bad, if you want them to bloom, say, at Easter. So, time your planting accordingly. Keep them in the refrigerator an extra month or so, if you want to. The amazing thing about bulbs is how versatile they are. Have fun! If you have some failures, you'll learn from them and do better next year. Finally you need to know that your tulips will not bloom again after this year. End of story. You are essentially forcing them to bloom and they will NOT like our climate. So, come spring, dig them up (the leaves will come back next year and make you feel like a failure when they don't bloom, but it's not your fault). They are cheap, so if you love them, get some new ones next year, put them in the fridge and proceed again. Daffodils should do well for you and return, even naturalize, if you choose the right kinds. You will need to do some internet and library research to find out which kinds those are. But, no matter what kind you have now, they should return at least a few years before they decline and die (or live and flourish). Crocus are the same way.
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Donna, That is great! I would be very interested in hearing what varieties didn't survive, which survived and flowered, and which survived and did not flower, if you have the information. I am mostly interested in knowing the ones that did not survive. Last year I planted extra seed from my crosses directly in the ground to see if any young seedlings could survive the winter. I did not mulch many of them. With the harsh winter, the ground sometimes froze at least to the depth of the little seedling bulbs, so I thought they would all be dead. But nearly all of them survived. They are now much smaller than their siblings that I kept under lights all winter, so they will probably take many years to bloom, but it gives an option to grow many more seedlings than I would otherwise be able! Bill
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Hi, I'm Mary Jane (and I'm addicted to these beauties!!!), I'm just south of Houston, TX near Galveston Bay, the weather is still very pleasant here--high 80's as of yesterday--cold front came in today. It is not time to bring in the plants yet, I am preparing them for winter adding epsom salts to my plants, this is supposed to help them be more 'cold tolerant'. My collection of 40 + plants range from a couple four year old plants, established one year old plants, transplanted rooted cuttings, to newly rooted cuttings started as late as July. Last year, the weather was so mild here, I never had to bring the plants in--it helps to have a tropical micro-climate around our pool in the back yard. :) So this year...my established plants will stay outside until I see a weather prediction of a nighttime low of 35 degrees. Then I will trim all leaves, leaving stem and partial leaf, and put those babies in the garage in their pots. I plan on putting the pots on a few 'cheap' flannel backed vinyl tablecloths that will be spread out on the garage floor. All first year newly rooted cuttings, will come inside the house when a minimum temp. of say 45 degrees is predicted at night. They will then be placed on a lage piece of plywood placed on top of our spa tub inside the master bath. The tub is right next to a 6 foot x 6 foot window that gets a great southernly sun exposure all winter long and hopefully the plants will benefit from the humidity from showers being taken. This is a good thing correct? I am going to try 'not' to mist them and keep them on the dry side w/a little drink maybe once or twice while they are inside. Rene'--are you going to feed them 'before' your plants 'wake up'? I believe you said the 1st of March---in order to feed them, don't they have to be watered first as to not 'burn them', but in order to water them, don't you need at least a few baby claws/leaves first? Just something to think about...especially being in Ohio. What do you think? I would like to get mine 'jump started' as early as possible---but I think there is a fine line between them being dormant and the right time to 'wake them up'! Because a step in the wrong direction---could lead to some 'mushy' plants. Anyone else have any ideas on this? I then plan on bringing everyone out the last week of March, gradually give them sun, little drink, and once growth is evident, starting a feeding regimen including epsom salts. I have my fingers crossed for some beauties in 2009!!!
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nwgatreasures
15 years ago
bevinga,
what part of NW ga do you live?
I was unable to contact you via email.

Dora
bevinga
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the advice, esh and Razorback...I'm so ready to plant these!

Dora, I live in the Cartersville area.

Blessings,
Beverly
nwgatreasures
15 years ago
Beverly,
will you email me?
I'm in Rome.

Dora
bevinga
Original Author
15 years ago
Hi Dora,
For the life of me, I can't find your email address! Is there a particular place I should look?

Thanks,
Beverly
nwgatreasures
15 years ago
click on my username (nwgatreasures) at the top of this post.

A new page will appear and to the right side of the page there will be a link that says "email me". click on that.

there ya go :)

PS. I will be out of town until Monday so don't think I'm ignoring you if you don't hear from me immediately.

Dora
Iris GW
15 years ago
Actually, for you Dora, you have to click on "See My Journal" from your member page. From there, there is an email link.

There can be some variation in the way pages are set up, I have seen the email link be more obvious before.
mayland
15 years ago
Rb, do you pre-chill your Species Tulip bulbs?

I ordered some online (i think it was from Scheepers) and called to ask about pre-chilling and they said its not necessary for our zone. But I'm wondering if I should ask them to pre-chill anyway -- do you think it helps?

Do your species tulips come back well every year or do you treat them as annuals, as I've read for other tulips here?

Thanks
bevinga
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks esh, for the information on finding email addresses!

Beverly
nwgatreasures
15 years ago
I put Tulip bulbs down in Dec. 05 and they came up spring of 06, 07, and 08.
I didn't notice any difference in the amount of blooms.
I left them in the ground the whole time, fertilized them as suggested and left them to themselves.

I live in NW Ga (Rome) and they've been fine without messing with them. I have no idea if they were chilled before being sent to me.

Dora
razorback33
15 years ago
mayland....
I don't prechill any bulbs and it isn't necessary for species Tulips, but it won't harm them if you do. May even force them to bloom a bit earlier.
Species Tulips, unlike the Dutch hybrids, are perennials and return to bloom each year and multiply by offsets.
They are not as showy as the hybrids, nor as tall, but a grouping of them will provide a nice color spot in the garden, rockgarden or even as potted plants.
Rb
mayland
15 years ago
Rb, thanks so much for the info. I tried Dutch hybrid tulips a few years ago and the second year they were just dismal (Dora, maybe your fertilizer did the trick? I did not fertlize mine).

I'm looking forward to the species tulips, there are some really fun-looking colors, I struggled to choose. I have Lilac Wonder and Little Beauty (red with blue center) coming, and a couple of spots in mind where a low-growing flash of color will be great. I'm pleased to hear they will multiply!

I got a bit carried away when I ordered my bulbs (in August), and have about 300 coming. They don't bill me until they ship them, and we have recently decided (given the state of things) that the plant budget has to be cut :( Oh well, I'll look on it as my last splurge of the season!

Does anyone here grow Allium, Camassia, Ipheion or Puschkinia? I ordered some of each of these along with Daffodils and Crocus (i did say I got carried away!). I read that the Alliums might not come back very well as our winters are not cold enough, but what about the rest - do they do well here?

My parents are visiting us from England in Dec...maybe I'll chill the 300 bulbs until they come. Nothing like a family gardening day :)
nwgatreasures
15 years ago
Mayland,
I may be interested in sharing the price of some of those bulbs you have coming, depending on your location and how we can work it out. I'd be interested in any of them.

Where are you?

Dora
mayland
15 years ago
Hi Dora,
I didn't mean to sound alarmist in my post above! We are doing fine so far, just thinking that we should be cautious given the economy at the moment. We have renovated our house inside and out over the last 12-18 months, and we've spent a lot on shrubs (and landscaping materials) lately. With all the scary news, we decided to put on hold any non-essential purchases/renov, at least for a while. I'm OK with my bulb treat, I just have to avoid visiting my favorite nurseries :) Thanks for offering though!
nwgatreasures
15 years ago
No offense taken. Many of my gardening friends and I swap and share orders sometimes. My offer was in case you were having second thoughts about the quantity that is coming and where you are going to put them.

I understand about the remodeling. We are on the 5 year landscape plan because we had to put about $50K into the interior. I inherited about 300 feet of garden beds that had been neglected for over 5 years as our home sat empty before we purchased it and remodeled. What a bitter sweet situation to discover all of the many prized and unique things that are there - some of which have died because of neglect during that time. The late owner of the home was the garden club president for over 15 years.

The first year here - I touched absolutely nothing and took pictures of different sections about every 5 days. I kept a journal to help me remember because there was so much "stuff" in the beds.

The second year, I cleaned out and watched and may have added a few things.

This year - I'm making it my own. I know though, that I am on the 5 year plan due to limited funds as well as limited time. I am not in a hurry because I would rather do with out than have it done wrong or half way or something that I regret. When I know the plant I want there - I'll get it.

For me, it's all about the journey - because there never is a final garden destination except when we die.

Dora
mayland
15 years ago
Dora, you must have had some real gems hiding under the 5 years of neglect! How exciting to watch everything come up and see what was there. Would love to see some pics of what you started with and what you have done :)

Our house had also been neglected, but there was very little hiding under the knee-deep ivy. A few overgrown shrubs, mainly eleaganus and privet, unfortunately. Two beautiful camellias that are the biggest I think I've ever seen (they must be over 20ft each).

Once we had cleared all the ivy, we were left with a huge expanse of nothing (our lot is about 3/4 acre), so I've bought and planted a lot of shrubs this year. I'm looking forward to watching things fill out next year and to slowing down and enjoying adding more gradually to what will hopefully be a good base.
nwgatreasures
15 years ago
I'll see what I can do about the pictures. I have them, but they are on disk and I'll have to go find them and upload them to post here (unless someone has a better idea). Ideally, they would work well in a slideshow type setting.

One thing I can tell you is that we have given away over 500 double bearded iris rizomes since we moved in. At the height of the collection the first year, we documented over 15 different colors and gave away over 250 just that year. Every year, we try to weed out some more and share the love/color/beauty with friends. They keep coming back and spreading more.

My favorite things that we discovered are the peonies. There were 7 of them and the first year, they were so huge, I couldn't get my hands around the blooms. Each passing year they bloomed less and less and I think it's because they weren't getting enough sun. A few weeks ago, I dug up the roots, split some and put them more in the sun...not full sun but more sun from morning to mid day. I hope that will help. If anyone would like to add their experience/opinion on them - please do so.

We just removed this past week a Camellia tree over 19 feet. We know that it was there at least 31 years based on what someone who knew the woman told us.

There is no plant on this entire planet that I hate more than ivy. Absolutely I detest this plant. I do not know why God made it.

Dora

Is it time to Winterize yard? Plant bulbs?

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