Is it okay to plant tulips at the end of summer?

Question

We'd like to prepare our lawn with some nice tulips on the sides and Lowe's is selling them in large bags. Is it okay to plant these now or is it too late in the season?

Answer 1

This is from the link below:

Plant tulip bulbs in fall, 6 to 8 weeks before a hard frost is expected and when soils are below 60 degrees F. This is usually during September and October in the North, and October and November in the South. Prepare the garden bed by using a garden fork or tiller to loosen the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, then mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost. Dig a hole about 3 times as deep as the height of the bulb. Set the bulb in the hole, pointy end up, then cover with soil and press firmly. Space bulbs 4 to 6 inches apart. Water thoroughly after planting. If hungry voles or mice are a problem, plant bulbs in buried wire cages to protect them from getting eaten.

Answer 2

It is fine to plant them now or you can even wait til it is alittle cooler. Tulips need a cooling time before the will bloom. If you can then I would place then in a cool dry place and plant them alittle later when the weather is cooler and night time temps are starting to fall. If you buy the bags now make sure that you are buying bulbs that are firm with no black spots or growths on them. Avoid bulbs that are damaged or moldy and those that show the first signs of green shoots on them. They will not make for a good plant or will rot during the winter. I am not sure where you are located but if you do not have a cold winter then you might need to place the bulbs in the refrigerator for 8 to 10 weeks to "trick" them into resting so they will bloom in the spring. Plant the bulbs where they will receive sun or light shade. Also they like well drained soil. If your soil is waterlogged then dig in some manure, fine gravel or grit to help improve your Tulips drainage. If you want to leave the bulbs in the ground you would do best if you planted bulbs labeled for naturalizing. You should add a low nitrogen fertilizer in the fall. I always use bulb booster or bone meal in the hole and mix it in before I add the bulb to be covered, this will help to prevent the bulbs from rotting too. Most tulip bulbs should be planted 6-8 inches deep.
You can also plant your daffodils, oriental lilies, crocuses, grape hyacinths, dutch hyacinths, irises, ranunculus, triteleias, jack-in-the-pulpits, cowslips, & Turk's-cap lilies bulbs during the fall.
Most of your perennials can be planted in the fall also from seed into a well worked bed.
I usually use the cool area to get out there and add alot of new color to my flower beds and yard during the nicer cooler air. It is always great to see all those beautiful colors in the spring after enduring the winter months.
Good luck and Enjoy....hope this helped. Let me know if I can help with anything else.
Happy Gardening !!!
~smiles~

Answer 3

You have plenty of time to plant, because fall is the time to plant tulips.

In zone 3-7
Plant after the soil has cooled to 60 degrees F (or lower) at 6 inches deep--usually late fall.

Here's some more info on planting tulips:
http://www.dutchgardens.com/Learn-how-to-Grow-tulips/default/5307.page?SC=

Good luck!

Answer 4

Late September/early October is the usual time to plant any spring growing flowers.

Answer 5

If anything it is too early. Plant bulbs in mid to late fall. But go ahead and buy them now and put them away until then.

Answer 6

I believe you plant spring bulbs in the fall

Answer 7

Buy them now..keep them in a cool dark place and plant them in September.

Answer 8

you're supposed to plant the bulbs in the fall, and they will sprout and bloom in the spring. of course, it depends where you live because where i live there's a good deal of snow in the winter (although I blame global warming cause the snow's now coming later, and later...)