Instructions for Growing Tulips

Timing

Plant out in autumn to allow the cool weeks required for healthy growth and flowering in spring.

Temperature

Tulips require anywhere between 12 and 19 weeks of soil temperatures below 45 degrees to grow successfully. They can handle frozen ground without issue as long as they are planted in time to root out a little bit before it gets cold enough for true dormancy.

Planting Out

Plant at least 3 times as deep as the height of the bulb (usually about 8” under the soil level). Some people use bone meal in the soil, and while this can help with certain calcium deficiencies, most tulips come with everything they need to grow stored in the bulbs. Spacing can be anywhere between 1” (if you are growing for cut flower harvest and plan to pull the bulb) and 3” - 6” if you will allow the plant to bloom in place in your garden.

Water & Fertilizer

Water is very important as the bulb is in dormancy and as it begins to grow and flower. Water will stimulate healthy root growth in the autumn which allows the bulb to survive heavier rainfall over winter without rotting. If you’re growing in pots that will be under cover, be sure to water them regularly over the winter months. There is a lot happening under the soil during this time, and water is critical. (but don’t overwater. damp, not soggy). Fertilizer is not necessary for tulips if they are grown in balanced soil.

Pest Management

The biggest pests for tulip bulbs are voles, squirrels, and deer. Physical barriers are the best option. If your challenge is voles and squirrels, you may need to plant your bulbs between two layers of chicken wire or hardware cloth. There are companies selling plastic netting and I’d caution against that option. Squirrels can chew through plastic if they are hungry enough. I think we can do better than burying more plastic in this day and age. Deer wait until the plant has poked through the ground and then enjoy a greenery and flower buffet. A deer fence is the only way to deter them. You can use bulk cayenne pepper as a deterrent for squirrels, digging cats, dogs, voles, raccoons. It won’t hurt them but it’s too spicy for them to handle so they move along. I buy mine online and get the highest capsaicin level available. Re-apply after it rains.

Harvest

Because the bloom and the leaves grow off of one stem, you’ll have to decide between harvesting for use in bouquets and vases and letting it bloom and regenerate in your garden. If you’re going to harvest, wait until the bloom is just starting to show color and pull the whole bulb out of the ground. Cut off the bulb and put it in your compost. Put the flower in clean water. No sugar, bleach, or preservative is necessary. Change the water every other day and you should be in good shape. Your tulip will continue to grow taller in your vase, so this is when I start to take photos every day at the same time to compare. Makes for a beautiful timelapse.