SHREVEPORT, La. – Fall is the perfect time to shop for flower bulbs, but gardening experts say patience is key before putting them in the ground.
Jennifer McGimsey, owner of Akin’s Nursery, explained that tulips, one of the most popular spring flowers, need special care in warmer climates.
“In the fall we purchase our bulbs that are going to bloom in the spring,” McGimsey said. “But tulips require a chilling period to perform properly. To get strong, even stems, you need to chill them for about eight weeks.”
Unlike in northern states, where colder winters provide that naturally, gardeners in the South need to give tulips a little extra help. McGimsey recommends storing bulbs in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer, sealed in a brown paper bag and kept away from apples, which release gases that can harm them.
The bulbs should stay chilled for six to ten weeks before planting.
Timing, McGimsey added, is everything. “You could plant them in November or December, but if the weather stays too warm, the bulbs may rot before they bloom,” she said. “For me, I plant my tulips in January.”
With proper chilling and careful planting, tulips can thrive in Southern gardens, rewarding patient gardeners with a burst of color.
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