daffodils in mid spring - Knowledgebase Question - Garden.org

chicago, il

Question by trigun9
April 11, 2007

Yesterday (April 10) I brought a pack of bulbs and I didn't know (this is my first year of planting anything) that daffodils had to be planted in November. We have been having unseasonly cold weather and it's even snowing. I was wondering if this cold snap will substitute for a chill period and will my bulbs blossom or even grow some time this year? Thank You -Ava

Answer from NGA
April 11, 2007

0	Bare daffodil bulbs should be planted in the fall when the soil temperature cools down, usually some time in October. In the fall they become rooted, and then grow up out of the ground and bloom the following spring. They must have several months of chilling in order to root and then to bloom, so planting now probably is just too late. But, the alternative is to throw them away so I would go ahead and plant them. They most likely will not bloom this year and may not bloom next year due to being so far off schedule. Or, maybe you could return them? It would be much better to buy freshly dug bulbs in the fall and plant them at the right time of year. There is also the chance that you bought "pre-chilled" bulbs. If this is the case, absolutely go ahead and plant them now and they should be fine.

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