Tulip bulbs are usually planted in the fall and spend the whole winter tucked away underground. For most varieties, the soil acts like a cozy blanket, protecting them from the cold until they’re ready to poke their heads out in the spring. However, some tulips are a bit more high-maintenance than others. Here’s the scoop on how to get your bulbs through the winter successfully.
How to Overwinter Hardy Tulip Bulbs
If you have hardy tulip varieties, you have a choice: you can either dig them up after they bloom or just leave them in the ground. If you leave them, the key is patience! Wait until the foliage has completely turned brown and withered. This is super important because the bulb is busy soaking up all those nutrients to store as energy for next year’s flowers. Once the leaves are totally dry, you can trim them back to just above the soil line. If you’re expecting a really brutal cold snap, it’s a good idea to toss a little straw or some evergreen branches over the planting spot for extra insulation.
Handling Non-Hardy Tulip Varieties
Some tulip varieties just can’t handle the freezing cold. For these guys, you’ll want to dig them up after they bloom and store them indoors. Here’s my step-by-step guide for doing it right:
- Let all the leaves and stems dry out completely first.
- Use a garden fork to loosen the soil, then carefully lift the bulbs out with a hand trowel.
- Shake off any loose dirt.
- Let the bulbs dry out in the sun for a few days if possible.
- Give them a final cleaning with a soft brush.
- Check for any rotten or nibbled-on bulbs and toss those out.
- Wrap each individual bulb in newspaper or a paper towel and place them in a wooden crate.
- Make sure the bulbs aren’t touching each other.
- Store the crate in a dark, cool, and dry spot.
This keeps them safe and sound until it’s time to plant them again!
Overwintering Tulips in Pots or Window Boxes
If you’re growing tulips in small pots or window boxes, keep in mind that those thin walls don’t offer much protection against the frost. If you can, move your containers to a dark, cool, frost-free area like a basement or garage. You can bring them back out to their usual spot once the weather warms up and the risk of frost has passed.
Another pro tip for potted tulips: you can actually “bury” the entire pot in your garden soil for the winter! Just dig a hole and set the pot inside. If you’re worried about heavy rain causing the bulbs to rot, you can cover the area with some plastic sheeting. Once the ground thaws and the frost is gone, just pop the pots out of the ground and set them wherever you want them to bloom.
