Newbies - for those who don't have a garage

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Hi,

I thought I would share for those who plant pots of bulbs and then want to know where to keep them until Spring. We get that question every so often. The usual answer is to put in an unheated garage or shed. I don't have those (I wish!).

Here is my leaf pile - it had 7 pots during the winter - can't tell, right? I mulch the whole garden with leaves so it just looks like an especially leafy corner.

Let me pull off a few inches of branches and leaves - Here we are! Buried quite far down into the leaf pile and surrounded by packed leaves on all sides. Several inches of leaves stuffed in between the pots and all around.

They are just starting to sprout. I've saved the pine branches to place on top for cold nights.

This is my second year doing this - last year was extremely cold with several nights in the single digits and several large snowfalls including the three foot storm. Last year's pots sprouted far earlier as the bulbs are already established. These are the new ones just planted last Fall (thanks HD 1/2 off sale!) and are far behind. I'm good with that - extends the season.

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katob Z6ish, NE Pa

6 years ago

anything planted yet?

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Comments (11)

posierosie_zone7a
Original Author
6 years ago
Bump....hope this helps. Planning on burying quite a lot of pots under the leaf pile this year.
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posierosie_zone7a
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Oh yes! Three gallon pots and new this year a long trough that is going to be a major pain to move around, but might be awesome along my walkway.

I ruthlessly/gleefully packed in the bulbs with three layers and added pushinka (sp?) to the top layer along with crocus and tiny Iris. The pushinka are new this year inspired by a random internet photo. Looked so cute!

Not much in the ground yet - just got my major order and it's too cold. :/

Anything for you?
katob Z6ish, NE Pa
6 years ago
Not yet. A few snowdrops but no plans for a big order this year.... but there are always those clearance sales!
posierosie_zone7a thanked katob Z6ish, NE Pa
posierosie_zone7a
Original Author
6 years ago
Good for you and keep that $$! I know you are excited about those snowdrops - are they in the ground yet or will you grow them under lights?
katob Z6ish, NE Pa
6 years ago
I really should put them in the ground, but things get so boring in February when the garden is covered but the fever is kicking in, so I'm sure a few will get potted up.
posierosie_zone7a thanked katob Z6ish, NE Pa
posierosie_zone7a
Original Author
6 years ago
Right, make certain you get your fix in February! I have orchids that are just now starting to send up spikes and should be flowering next month until March/April. I have a plethora of sweet potatoes to harvest and will be starting slips again indoors. All that generally helps with the blahs - February is the worst. :/
User
6 years ago
Noob here.

So plant the pots and cover with leaves etc. Or keep them in an unheated garage or shed until spring.

They bloom. Yay!

Then what? Keep the pots somewhere until fall? Then cover again rinse repeat?

Do you just keep doing this cycle?
posierosie_zone7a thanked User
posierosie_zone7a
Original Author
6 years ago
Well, in my experience, I found the second year bloom was not as robust. I might have had a different response if I tilted them to their sides to limit water intake after they go dormant. I'm planning on doing a test next year to see if tilting might create a better return on flowering the second year.

Right now, I purchase mixes on discount. After the bulbs bloom, I dismantle the pots and plant the ones I like out in the garden. I give away the other bulbs. I don't really like the large trumpet daffodils or all yellow daffodils - just personal preference.

There is someone here - Floral? - who does lovely window boxes and to my understanding uses the same bulbs yearly. I would be interested in hearing her process in more detail.

Have you created any pots this year? Are you using the leaf pile method?
User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Hey thanks. This will be my third spring in the PNW. The first year I planted some bulbs in a bed by the house, and tried to naturalize daffodils by the drive. I think critters got the daffodils. But the bed by the house worked pretty fine. It is bone dry from about June to October.

Anyway I noticed people planting bulbs in containers. I've seen the containers around in the spring so I thought next time I see them I would buy some and see how they work.

I can let them dry out, probably without tilting. And leaves for cover in the fall is doable.

When I was in school we lived in Holland. The bulbs were pulled up ever year and boxed up in wooden crates and stored in the garage.

Thanks again for the reply. I'm getting motivated!
posierosie_zone7a thanked User
posierosie_zone7a
Original Author
6 years ago
Containers are a lot of fun because they wake up a bit earlier. I cheat and if there's some green showing, I put them in the sun during the Spring and then inside if it freezes overnight. Wakes them up a bit earlier.

Plant some of the tiny early blooming bulbs on top if you can find them. I sat next to these on my front steps with my coffee - so cute!