How to Plant Tulips

Springtime brings budding leaves, warm sun and, in the yards of those who had the foresight last fall in planting tulips, the colorful sight of tulips gently nodding in the fresh breezes.

Planting tulips can bring years of enjoyment and beautiful colors to your flower garden, or even indoors if the flowers are kept in pots.  They make lovely additions to flower arrangements or as cut flowers displayed in a vase on their own.  Since they are available in a great variety of colors and shapes, they are often used in wedding bouquets.  A great idea when planting tulips is to plant several varieties of different bloom times to extend the flowering season.  There are early bloomers, mid-season bloomers and late bloomers that can bring you bright delights from March to May.

Late fall is the best time for planting tulips outside.  The first step is to prepare the bed in a sunny area.  Rake the soil first to remove any rocks, weeds and debris.  The area chosen should be one that receives good drainage; tulips do not enjoy getting their “feet” wet.  Dig a hole two times two times deeper than the size of the tulip bulb, insert the bulb and cover with soil.  Some people like to plant the bulbs in groups, providing a great show of color when they bloom in the spring, being sure to plant like types in groups. 

If planting tulips inside in pots is preferred, follow the same process as for planting outside, but make sure that there is at least ½ inch of soil below the bulb.  One advantage to planting tulips inside is that they can be forced to bloom outside their normal season.  After planting, place the containers in a cool area until the growth is about 1 inch above the soil level, and then put the containers in a dark room indoors where temperatures average around 60°.  Leave them for about 3 or 4 weeks to allow the stems to gain strength, and then gradually introduce them back into a lighted area with warmer temperatures.  After the blooms have faded, remove the dying flower and allow the plant to die away.  Store the pot in a cool, dark room until the next season.

In the spring, when the tulips have bloomed and the flowers begin to fade away, it is time for the bulbs to go into dormancy.  Remove the flowers as they fade, but leave the green stems and leaves to die away on their own.  This process is needed for the tulip to regenerate its energy back into the bulb; enabling it to bloom again next season. 

Planting tulips this year will be sure to reap a huge harvest of smiles, scents and visual appeal next season.  Whether in your flower garden or in a pot indoors, tulips are a beautiful addition that embraces springtime.