When should you start planting?

I have a few big pots that I am dying to fill...

Re: When should you start planting?

I have heard not until after Mothers day but i guess that depends on what part of the country you are in!

Re: When should you start planting?

Posted by Lisa

I have heard not until after Mothers day but i guess that depends on what part of the country you are in!

Re: When should you start planting?

Spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips and daffodils should be planted in the fall or early winter in order to bloom in spring as they require a long period of cool temperatures to spark the biochemical process that causes them to flower. If you live in an area with freezing temperatures, your bulbs need to be planted in the ground before the ground freezes so that they can have time to develop strong roots.

If you forget to plant the bulbs in the fall, try chilling them in the refrigerator for use indoors as forced bulbs or somehow get them into the ground outside. Because bulbs are so tough and contain a full storehouse of food, your bulbs will try their best to bloom no matter how late it is in the season. Chances are you may still get some results, even if you plant them late.

Growing spring flowering bulbs in warm climates
It's possible to grow spring-flowering bulbs in climates as warm as Zone 10. However the blooming season in these zones is much earlier than in cooler zones. Growing bulbs in a warmer zone means that you need to pre-chill the bulbs, especially tulips and daffodils.

Pre-chill your flower bulbs
Pre-chill the bulbs for a minimum of six to eight weeks in a refrigerator at a temperature of around 40°F to 45°F (typical refrigerator temperature). They can remain chilling up to 16 weeks if necessary, until it is time to plant. Ideally the bulbs should be put in the ground in December or early January.

Where is the best spot to plant flower bulbs?
Bulbs like tulips, daffodils and crocuses will grow in shade as well as a sunny location. For bulbs that continue to thrive and multiply year after year however, they do need four to six hours of sunlight each day. Even if your garden is shady in summer though, there is usually more sun in a spring garden as many of the trees and shrubs haven't grown their summer leaves back yet.

Be sure to plant bulbs in an area that the soil drains well so that your bulbs aren't sitting in water which could cause them to rot, but do water newly planted bulbs to help those roots get going.

Spring is such a roller coaster season in many parts of the country, with cold and warm spells alternating unpredictably. It's hard to predict just the right time to purchase (or sell) plants for spring planting. Gardeners and plant sellers alike have to do their best to keep the plants in top condition and get them into the garden at the right time. With experience you will know better when it is safe to plant and when it is too late. For now, here is a guide. (If you are looking for additional beginning flower garden advice you may want to see Flower Garden Basics for information on many aspects of starting out with a new flower garden.)

Re: When should you start planting?

my parents own a garden center... and they tell people mothers day its totally safe to plant everything outside...
BUT... if you're dying to filll some pots and get some color now, you could get some pansies- they are cold hardy, and can even take snow, frost, etc.... they will die out in june usually when the weather starts getting really hot, but for color for now, it might be an idea

Message edited 3/25/2007 1:02:08 PM.

Re: When should you start planting?

Posted by ml110

my parents own a garden center... and they tell people mothers day its totally safe to plant everything outside...
BUT... if you're dying to filll some pots and get some color now, you could get some pansies- they are cold hardy, and can even take snow, frost, etc.... they will die out in june usually when the weather starts getting really hot, but for color for now, it might be an idea

Re: When should you start planting?

I was going to suggest going to the Hofstra flower show, which they usually hold in spring, but they moved it to September!

May 15 is the usual date, because that's supposed to be when the danger of frost is over. But like they said, pansies are hardy in cold, as are tulips, daffodils, hyacinth. I don't know where you live but I like Dee's nursery in Oceanside and Cipriano's in East Meadow.

Why not plan to plant some of them in the fall, that way this time next year, you won't need potted plants? My tulip and lily leaves have already broken ground, I should have some color in a few weeks!

Re: When should you start planting?

Around Mother's Day is pretty safe. We could still get some very cold weather over the next month or so, and you don't want your new plants to freeze.

You could try planting tulips or pansies (they like colder weather, though if it's freezing out, they may die).