One method you can do is to plant them in pots and put them in unheated garage. Then they must be exposed to cool temperatures for 8-10 weeks before they will bloom. I have an under house garage that isn't heated and the temperatures are around 32-40 degrees during Dec - Feb/Mar. I've had much luck forcing bulbs this way. I usually let them stay the full 10 weeks. I think you could also use a cellar bulk head or window well. If you just put the pots directly outside, it will be too cold and they will freeze solid. For this to work you'd have to plant them up immediately to get the full 10 weeks of cold before spring time. I wouldn't recommend saving them until next fall as all I've read this won't work.

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to some bulbs I've forced in past years...

About your question of when to plant up normally for forcing: Usually due to fall clean up activites I never get to it until Dec 1-15th. This has worked for me in the past to get the full 10 weeks of cold the bulbs require. I try to do in December so that I can bring out the pots starting in Feb - taking one pot out each week or two. I think as long as the bulbs are in good condition (not moldy, mushy, etc.) starting late won't be a problem as long as you can get the cool period. Also I do water them initially and once at about 5 weeks if they need it.

Give it a try since you got them for free! Good luck!

Thanks much!

Looks like I have something to keep little hands occupied while we're cooped up inside for the cold snap!

Fgirl that sounds like fun! And thanks for the info Sedum. Loved your pictures! Especially the amaryllis'Apple Blossom' and tulip 'Peach Blossom'. I am a sucker for light pink. I've got an amaryllis 'Splash' sending up buds now, it is red and white. Not my favorite, but it was an xmas present.

I got the urge to force Paperwhites this winter because it's so nice to have fragrant bulbs in the winter. Just yesterday a friend brought over 6 "forcing jars" or vases - whatever you call them. They kind of look like little hurricane lamps. I'm not sure what to do with these jar and don't have any bulbs anyway. Is there any place to get bulbs this late in the season?

If Fgirl starts now with her bulbs, 10 weeks brings us into late March. Hmmm I was hoping for earlier than that. Next year maybe.

Terrene thanks for looking at my photos. I have done some forcing using the vases you describe. I may have some photos in there as well.

Paperwhites as you probably know don't require any cold period. So just pot them up or put in a shallow container with marbles/stones/water and you will have some nice blooms soon.

When I did the vase with water forcing I was able to have good luck with hyacinths. One year I bought some precooled hyacinths. I think I got them at Russells garden center and one year at Lake st garden center in Salem NH. They weren't much money to do it. One year I also tried precooling my own tulips/daffodils and using these vases. I had less luck with these as the flowers were misshappen and smaller than they should have been.

If you have an extra refridgerator you could precool your own or if you have a garage that is cool in range 32 - 40 degrees you could do it there. One year I did this and put the water just barely touching the white roots of the hyacinth and then put the vase, hyacinth in my cool garage for the required time period. You have to be careful that using these vases that the water doesn't come in direct contact witht bulb bottom or it will rot. The one problem with these vases and hyacinths is that you must lean them against a wall or give them support as the hyacinths are prone to topple. I put the vase,bulb on my kitchen counter and leaned it there.

Have fun!