Too late to plant bulbs?

January 28, 2021 6:09 AM

I ordered three types of bulbs in September, and never planted them. I assume it's too late, although some of them have little sprouts coming out of them. is there any way to save them?

I ordered early blooming crocus, snowdrop, and king of the striped crocus bulbs back in September. Due to a combination of things, they were never planted. They hung out in our house on the shelf at between 60-65 degrees for several months.

I assume it is probably too late to plant them now for blooms, but if I plant them, will they survive and bloom next year? Some of them have sprouts coming out of them.

Poor little plants. I had the best of intentions, but some elbow/arm pain and other factors kept me from planting them.

posted by needlegrrl to Home & Garden (3 answers total)

Best answer: They won't bloom this year, but you can throw them in the ground and they will likely be fine for next year. (Except snowdrop bulbs, which are picky bastards in ideal conditions. Better to buy these "in the green" meaning right after they've bloomed and transplant them.)
posted by jebs at 6:18 AM on January 28, 2021 [2 favorites]

Best answer: You could also plant them in pots indoors, let them do their thing and enjoy the blooms, then plant them properly in the fall. You don't even need a big pot.
posted by The otter lady at 8:23 AM on January 28, 2021 [3 favorites]

Best answer: If you're in Georgia, it will be okay to plant them out. My bulbs planted last year are starting to show green and I'm in coastal Carolina zone 8A. They may bloom or not, but they will not be hurt by the cold.

Your larger problem will be squirrels trying to dig them up (you can put some screen or chicken wire above them) or voles eating them.
posted by mightshould at 11:07 AM on January 28, 2021