SHREVEPORT, La. – If tulips are on your spring wish list, now is the time to get them in the ground, provided they’ve had sufficient chill hours.
Unlike many other spring bulbs, tulips require a chill period to bloom properly. Jennifer McGimsey of Akin’s Nursery says bulbs should be chilled for six to eight weeks before planting to ensure even stem growth and healthy flowers.
So what does “chilling” mean? Not the freezer. Tulip bulbs should go in the refrigerator, ideally in the bottom crisper drawer, placed inside a brown paper bag. One important tip: keep them away from apples, which release gases that can interfere with the bulbs’ development.
Bloom time depends somewhat on the weather, but in our area tulips typically flower from late February into early March.
If you’re worried you’ve missed the window, don’t be. Akin’s has bulbs that have already been properly chilled and are ready to plant.
When your begin to plant, remember that depth matters. McGimsey recommends planting tulip bulbs about a bulb to a bulb-and-a-half deep, with the entire bulb fully underground so it can push up through the soil as it grows.
Bottom line: it’s not too late to enjoy tulips this spring. Just get them in the ground soon.
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