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Tulips are special – ask any gardener who grows the bright, beautiful blossoms. That’s why it’s no surprise that the care requirements for tulip bulbs are different than for other spring bulbs. There are over 150 different species of tulip, each with its own charms. Many are perennial, and the bulbs can be harvested every year. Digging up tulip bulbs means storing tulip bulbs until you replant them. If you want to learn about storing tulip bulbs and how to cure tulip bulbs, read on.
Tulips are one of the most beloved spring flowers, lighting up gardens with their cheerful blooms. Many gardeners treat them as annuals, planting fresh bulbs each fall. But did you know you can dig up and replant tulip bulbs for years of beauty?
Learning proper techniques for digging up and storing bulbs ensures you get the most out of these lovely flowers. With some basic care, tulips can rebloom for 5 years or more.
When to Dig Up Tulip Bulbs
Timing is critical when harvesting tulip bulbs. Follow these tips:
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Wait until all foliage has turned completely yellow before digging. This allows the leaves to nourish the bulb for next year’s bloom.
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Dig up bulbs by early to mid June at the latest. Later risks damaging them.
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In warmer climates, dig earlier by late May to prevent premature sprouting.
How to Dig Up Tulip Bulbs
Follow these steps for successfully digging up bulbs:
1. Loosen the Soil
Use a garden fork or shovel to gently loosen the soil around the tulips, at least 6 inches from the stems. Avoid slicing bulbs.
2. Lift Bulbs
Once soil is loose, carefully lift bulbs by hand, cradling them if soil is dry.
3. Remove Foliage
Trim off yellow leaves, leaving 2 inch stems. Don’t pull leaves to avoid damaging bulbs.
4. Clean Bulbs
Use a soft brush to remove soil. Avoid washing as excess moisture causes rot. Handle gently.
5. Cure Bulbs
Curing allows bulbs to dry for storage. Details below.
How to Cure Tulip Bulbs
Proper curing prepares bulbs for replanting:
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Spread bulbs in a single layer in a cool, dry, airy spot indoors or outdoors.
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Place on screens or racks for airflow underneath if possible
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Cure for 4-6 weeks Bulbs are cured when papery and outer shells loosen.
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Discard any damaged, diseased or mushy bulbs. Healthy bulbs will be firm.
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Store cured bulbs in mesh bags or open crates in a cool, dry spot.
When to Replant Tulip Bulbs
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In cold climates, replant fall bulbs late September to late November before ground freezes.
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In warm climates, delay planting until December or January for best flowers.
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Plant cured bulbs 4-6 inches deep and 6 inches apart in well-drained, enriched soil.
Tips for Continued Success
Follow these tips for tulip bulbs that thrive for years:
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Divide crowded clumps every 2-3 years to prevent overcrowding and reduced flowering.
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Add new bulbs to refresh displays since hybrids rarely persist. Species tulips are more persistent.
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Rotate planting sites to improve drainage and reduce disease.
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Remove spent flowers but leave foliage until yellow to nourish bulbs.
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Allow seed pod development for self-seeding.
With proper harvesting, curing, storage and replanting, your tulips will rebloom for many springs. It’s rewarding to see those flowers return annually after carefully digging up and caring for the bulbs each season.
FAQ About Digging Up Tulip Bulbs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about properly harvesting tulip bulbs:
How do you dig up tulip bulbs?
Use a hand trowel to dig an 8 inch deep trench around plants, then gently lift out bulbs by hand. Carefully remove any remaining soil and trim off foliage.
What happens if bulbs are dug up too early?
Digging bulbs before foliage fully yellows prevents them from replenishing nutrients for next year’s bloom. Wait until leaves yellow completely.
How do you get rid of old tulip bulbs?
Follow the same process as digging them up for replanting. Discard any bulbs that appear damaged or diseased during curing rather than storing them.
How do you store tulip bulbs after digging?
After digging up bulbs, allow them to cure for 4-6 weeks in a cool, dry spot. Then pack cured bulbs in mesh bags or open crates and store in a cool, dark place until autumn planting.
How long do stored tulip bulbs last?
With proper harvesting, curing and storage, tulip bulbs can be replanted and bloom successfully for 5 years or longer. Hybrid bulbs have shorter life spans than species.
Should tulip bulbs be divided?
It’s best to divide crowded clumps every 2-3 years to prevent overcrowding and encourage vigorous flowering. Also replace aging hybrid bulbs with new ones.
When is the best time to replant tulip bulbs?
Replant cured bulbs in late autumn before ground freezes, around late September to November in colder climates. Delay planting until December or January in warmer climates.
Following proper techniques for digging up and storing bulbs results in healthy tulips that return reliably for years. Pay close attention to timing and care when harvesting bulbs from the garden. With a little effort, you can enjoy tulip blooms spring after spring.
When to Dig Up Tulips?
When to dig up tulips is just as important as how to dig them up. Digging tulips prematurely can kill them. If you want to dig up tulip bulbs, don’t be in a hurry. Even though the plants lose visual appeal once the flowers start to fade, do not get out the shovel yet. Tulips flower in spring and, by early summer, their bright blooms are wilting. You can go ahead and deadhead the unsightly blooms, but wait until the foliage yellows to dig up bulbs. A tulip bulb contains not only the tiny plant but also all the nutrition that the plant needs to make it through the winter and bloom the following spring. Once tulips finish flowering, they use their leaves and roots to gather nutrients and fill up the storage containers with supplies. Digging the bulb up too early means that the bulbs will not have had a chance to replenish their nutrient supplies. Only dig out the bulbs when you see the leaves of the plants turning yellow and wilting.
Do You Have to Dig Up Tulip Bulbs?
No law requires gardeners to dig up tulip bulbs each year, or at all. In fact, most bulbs prefer to stay in the ground, and, left in place, rebloom the following year. Gardeners only dig up tulip bulbs when the plants seem less vigorous and offer fewer flowers, which can indicate overcrowding. If you feel that your tulips aren’t doing as well as they did last year, dig them up. But before you do, find out when to dig up tulips. It is better not to dig bulbs up at all than to dig them up at the wrong time.