Lifting and storing bulbs to protect them from cold . . .

. . and fight disease is an important part of gardening with bulbs.  It is important to  give your bulbs the  tender care that can lead to years of healthy, fabulous blooms. You'll find this Basic Guide most helpful and easy to follow.

 Lifting And Storing Bulbs -- Basic Guide

© Marcelle Snyder

Tender bulbs often cannot survive cold winter weather in the ground. Other bulbs, including those that are crowded, not producing flowers, or faring poorly in wet summer, can also benefit from being dug up, dried, and stored.

Lifting and storing bulbs eliminates the possibility of loosing them to diseases or pests and gives more planting space in the garden.

When to Lift and Store Gardening Bulbs:

After the bulbs have finished blooming, continue watering and fertilizing until the foliage fades, for the bulbs are storing energy for future growth.  Dig up the bulbs only when foliage has died back completely   OR.. .

To create more space in the garden, dig a bulb trench in an out-of-the-way place to serve as a temporary holding site while the foliage dies.  Move bulbs into trenches after they flower but while foliage is still green. See below.

As a rule of thumb, spring-blooming bulbs are dug up in early summer for storage until fall planting.  Tender and summer-blooming bulbs are dug up in the fall for winter protection.

Procedure for Lifting and Storing Bulbs

Items needed: a hose, a garden fork, a cardboard tray, bulb fungicide and a powder insecticide, and a mesh bag.

1.  After the bulb foliage yellows and dies back, moisten soil implanting area and use a garden fork deep under the clump to lift out the bulbs.

2.  Brush the soil from the bulbs.  Inspect for damage and signs of rot or disease. Dry the bulbs in a cardboard tray in a shady airy spot for several days.

3.  When dry, place bulbs in a paper bag with a fungicide to prevent disease and rot. Shake the bag to coat bulbs with the powder. To avoid problems from insect damage during storage, you can also lightly dust your bulbs with an appropriate insecticide.  Always wear gloves while dusting bulbs and always apply according to package directions.

4.  Transfer the treated bulbs to mesh or paper bags and store them in a cool, dark, protected spot. Leave undisturbed until planting time.

Procedure for Lifting and Trenching Bulbs

Items needed:  a shovel, a wire mesh or screen, a hose, and a garden fork.

1.  Dig a shallow trench in an out-of-the-way place.  Place a wire mesh or screen across the bottom of the trench.

 2.  Dig bulbs after they have flowered but while foliage is still green.  Place these bulbs with foliage onthe screen and lightly cover the bulb part with soil.  Water well.

3.  Water this trench regularly to keep moist.  When the foliage is dead, lift bulbs and store as suggested above.

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Summer Lifting and Storing Bulbs

Store spring-blooming bulbs in a cool, dark place such as a garage cabinet where summer heat will not dry them out. Check any tender bulbs stored in medium for withering.

Fall Planting and Lifting

Plant any stored spring-blooming bulbs for a repeat show the following spring.  Dig up and store tender summer-blooming bulbs that will not withstand extremely cold winter temperatures. Follow the above directions for lifting and storing tender bulbs.

Winter Checking

Check on stored bulbs periodically for disturbances from pests, including rodents, and for rot or other damage.  discard any bulbs that show signs of damage or disease.

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About the author:
Marcelle grew up on a farm in New Brunswick where the norm was to plant and grow large gardens, and she continued with backyard gardening after she moved to Ontario. You will find other gardening articles at http://SuperOrganicGardeningTips.com,  http://PlantsAndGardeningTips.com,  and http://PestControlOptions.com