Planting fall bulbs LATE (grape hyacinth and alliums)? Safe? or will they die?

Question

Sorry for the many questions:

I bought some bulbs on sale for real cheap. I have 15 alliums and 5 grape hyacinth. It is unseasonally warm here, and the bulbs I planted LAST year (tulip and regular hyacinth) are ALREADY starting to come up.

Is it safe to plant the bulbs I bought outside right now? or could they die if snows finally come? (IF SO, would I have to wait till next year to see them?)

If the bulbs begin coming up too early, and it snows, should I leave the snow on them, or brush the snow off (I am going to keep the mulch on, since it freezes at night).

What do you think? OH, one last question: VERY IMPORTANT:

***The graoe hyacinth bulbs I just bought. They are already showing little sprouts of green on them.... safe to plant outside? Should I refridgerate them for a bit first?***

Please help! I'm new to the bulb side of gardening

Answer 1

Yes, plant your bulbs now. (If you've been reading the other answers, you probably already have them in the ground.) What they need to bloom is several weeks of cold weather. And they need to develop roots, which they can only do before the ground freezes hard. But if the weather cooperates, they'll look beautiful in the spring. Also, snow is actually very good for the bulbs. A deep layer of snow will protect them from varying temperatures and will keep the ground from alternately freezing and thawing which could heave the bulbs or create air pockets around them. So, get those bulbs in the ground and think snow! Good luck.

Answer 2

The option is plant them late or plant them never because they won't be any good next spring. Get them into the ground as soon as possible. If snow threatens, mulch them 4-5 inches deep with straw or leaves (or any very light weight insulating mulch). Actually, you may as well do that when you plant, then clear it off when the threat of snow is past.

Answer 3

Adding to the others-- if the ground isn't frozen-- get them in-- and if you can, water them to remove air pockets-- I also put some bone meal in the bottom of the hole- a bit of dirt-- then the bulb.
Grape hyacinths will spread-- but they are pretty in the grass.
get them in the ground and enjoy them.
ps next time tell us where you live-- it helps a lot.
good luck

Answer 4

If the ground is still warm and it sounds like you are in that part of the country, its fine to plant the bulbs. You are more interested in keeping the roots alive. ..and warm ground allows them to establish themselves.

Answer 5

you do not tell the place you reside yet my rule of thumb is as long simply by fact the floor isn't frozen you may plant. right here in Kentucky I certainly have planted as previous due as early Jan and that they nevertheless bloomed, do not try this all the time yet have been given a stable purchase that i could not bypass up. bear in mind the guidelines of gardening arn't constantly written in stone.

Answer 6

i am forever late putting my bulbs in, and suprisingly they always come up. i have about 50 that are going in the ground tomorrow. (i'm in michigan)