I need help growing tulips for the first time?

Question

Hi, my boyfriend just bought me tulips for the first time, however I have never grown tulips before the directions say blooming Febuary-April Heigh 24in. spacing 6in. Depth 6in. but my question is right now were in November is it too soon to start planting and growing? In our back yard we have a fly infestation going on we have 2 dogs and we keep it very very clean however over the other side of our fence our next door neighbors also have two dogs and they dont clean up after them and they just pile a bunch of junck back there and i'm afraid the bugs will eat my tulips will any of this become a problem? or can I grow my tulips inside my house and I know they need sunlight can I grow them under a regular lamp in the light? Will that work? Thank you so much for your time and if theres anything else you can tell me about tulips it will be a big help.

Answer 1

You have until the ground freezes to plant your tulip bulbs. Bugs won't eat your tulips, but squirrels will. You can either wrap each bulb loosely in chicken wire or you can place chicken wire just under the soil before you completely fill in the trenches or holes. You can grown tulips inside, but they will need to be kept in a dark refrigerator for about 16 week or they won't flower. Tulips need the cold and dark in order to produce blooms. Oh, plant them pointed side up. Other than that there is nothing to it.
Good Luck

Answer 2

If you live anywhere but in the deep south then you need to plant them now. Tulips require a period of time in a cool atmosphere and your directions are correct. I do not think the flies will be a problem but I would put some screening over the spot where you plant the bulbs if the dogs are the digging sort.

I would be more worried about ground squirrels digging them up then the dogs. You can purchase tulip cages and place them in the ground to prevent anything from digging up the bulbs but a piece of fencing or screening with wide spaces so the tulips can come up through it in the spring will work just as well.

Also buy or yourself some bone meal to put in with your tulips to assist in their growth in the spring Just follow the directions on the package. This can be purchased at a local garden shop.

Now if you live the deep south you will have to put them in the refrigerator to imitate the cold found in the north for at least 12 weeks. I hope this helps you.

Answer 3

Now is the perfect time. It's usually recommended that you plant tulips in September, October, or November, but it can be later, as long as they get a good hard freeze before the growing season. They're very hardy, but you have to be careful--squirrels love them. I've not heard of insects bothering them, and what's on top of the soil won't affect them until it comes time for them to bloom. You can grow them indoors before setting them out in the spring (it's called "forcing").

I personally love tulips--I have at least 100 bulbs in the yard, and they'll grow anywhere, sun or shade. They're a good perennial bulb--you don't have to dig them up like glads, but they don't multiply like daffodils do.

Answer 4

You can grow them outside, or in flower pots. You should put them into the bottom drawer of the refrigerator for one month before you plant them in either the ground, or in flower pots. That way they will think they have gone into the dormant season. They need the cold in order to grow. If you are putting them into flower pots, make sure you get a deep one. Then after you put them in, keep the potting mix moist,they don't like being dried up. Set them out side in the sunshine every day,or you could get a grow light bulb. Regular light bulbs don't work. Either way you go, add some Bulb Booster to the soil before you plant them. And don't worry about the bugs until the problem arises,then deal with it. Have fun, byee.

Answer 5

Everyone is giving you good advice, I just want to add one thing--your directions tell you to plant them six inches deep--that is from the TOP of the bulb. You need to cover them with six inches of soil, so your hole should be about 8 " deep

And I have never had bugs eat any of my tulips.

Growing them indoors is not really an option, and besides once you force bulbs indoors, they use up most of their energy and even if you plant them outside afterwards, they might not bloom again for years.

Go ahead and plant them, this is the perfect time.

Answer 6

NO! do no longer freeze them. they want chilling, sure. yet no freezing. placed them interior the refrigerator without clean fruit or vegetables around (in a separate bin) and go away them for 12 weeks. Then plant.

Answer 7

So that you will have more than one answer.....I am in full agreement with the other poster.