Bulb storage

[Betfam]

[align=left]I* have to dig daffodils, tulips and lily-of-the-valley but cannot replant them until spring.* How can I store them over the winter here in Montana.* I have had some success in the past when we moved here bringing bulbs in paper bags but* where to store and do they need soil, etc.?..... [/align]

[Newt]

Hi Betfam,

You don't say what your hardiness zone is or where in Montana you are located, but Montana has hardiness zones 2 to 5.*
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/c...ps/MThardy.jpg

Lily of the valley is hardy to zone 3 and most daffodils and tulips are hardy to zones 3 through 5 depending on which ones you have.* I'm wondering why you need to store them out of the ground for the winter.* If your zone is too cold for them to be in the ground, it's my understanding that you would treat these plants as annuals.* I suppose you could try storing them in mesh bags in the refrigerator but you can't have any apples or pears in there as those fruits off-gas and will destroy your bulbs.

Newt

[Betfam]

[align=left]Sorry, this is my first time on a site like this, and you are right about the hardiness zone.* These are my daughters bulbs and she has to take them up as she was away and her husband let the beds become over run with thistles, grass, *and every other weed and the only way to get rid of them is to round up and till and etc.* She had no other place to put them and wants to be sure all aliens are gone and the soil restored before starting anew.** There is not enough time now to get it done, let the ground recover and replant before the snows fly.[/align]

[Newt]

Betfam, I would recommend that the bed be cleared of all weeds, 3" to 4" of compost added and mixed into the soil and the bulbs be replanted for the winter.* To smother any weeds or weed seeds left behind the soil can be covered with 6 layers of DAMPENED black printed newspaper and then a 3" layer of mulch applied.* Dampen the newspape so the first breeze doesn't have it blowing all over the yard.* Been there!**:shock:** Even if she is in hardiness zone 2 she has at least another month to six weeks before the ground freezes.* Bulbs can be planted until the ground freezes.

I'm not a fan of herbicides such as RoundUp and don't use it for weeds.* Not sure what you mean by letting the ground recover.* RoundUp can stay in the ground for a long time depending on the type of soil.* I would dig up the weeds, either after a rain or a deep watering so the ground is easier to work.* She could use horticultural vinegar to kill most of the weeds.* Thistle is very difficult to kill with herbicides and the vinegar will work if the plants are young and small.* The rest can be dug out.* Letting the soil stay uncovered
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2002/020515.htm
http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/pub..._no_115=131932

Newt