In many ways I am a novice gardener. I inherited a lot of plants from the previous owner of my home and am gradually learning how to care for them. Sometimes, I think I am working too hard and there must be an easier way to accomplish my gardening tasks.

Today, I decided to plant the daffys that I inherited and had moved to containers because they were located on the street level of my property and I was just driving by them and pulling into the garage and heading upstairs and never taking the time to enjoy them.

It seemed like it would be a simple task, but it took hours ! To get the bulbs out of the container, I finally just turned it upside down on a tarp and sifted through the soil that was in the container to find the bulbs. There were fewer bulbs than I had planted and lots and lots of roots with no bulbs attached. I did manage to find many bulbs with active root growth and those were the bulbs I planted.

I have several more containers of bulbs. Is there an easier way to address this task ?

Smiles,
Lyn

Not really. At least I don't know of one. Bulbs are labor intensive but very rewarding! You will be happy when you see them blossoming in the spring!

Labor intensive ? I must be missing something.

Smiles,
Lyn

I would dig a hole the size of the container where you want to transplant to, and slip the contained bulbs into it,cover with soil and wait for spring.
I am not positive of this but disturbed roots might not give much of a spring plant.It might take 2 seasons for them to reappear.
Even tho the roots might be all matted together they will find their way when put in a more open environment.Give the clumps of bulbs a bit of BulbTone.
Roots tend to duke - it - out for what they need.

ge1836 .....

That sounds like a great plan. Since I didn't purchase these plants, I can experiment with them without guilt.

I am fairly certain that the "lost bulbs" in the container was due to my neglect while I worked at bringing the soil to life. The ones that are still growing, must be the toughest ones.

I'll abandon my idea of just tucking them in here and there. Besides, digging in glacier slurry is an incredible challenge and I have other fall chores that have to be complete.

At least you've given me a direction. Thank you.

Smiles,
Lyn

I dont know how big the containers are but they should look like naturalized clumps next spring.
Cross fingers

They are BIG ... I planted two layers of bulbs in one container.

Since these bulbs had naturalized down on the street level, I think once they are in the ground, they will do their thing and naturalize again. It's just that I haven't been able to get to them and they had a lower priority. Now, I have a bit more time to add things that have been on the waiting list.

Smiles,
Lyn