Storing Bulbs for Winter

Gardeners all over Australia know just how quickly the seasons pass. Before you know it, it’s winter again and there are bags of bulbs that never made it into the ground this year. There’s no need to waste these bulbs, though, as with proper preparation and care over winter, you can preserve your bulbs and have them ready to plant next spring.

This isn’t just a great way to save unused bulbs from going to waste – you can also apply this advice to already-planted bulbs, enabling you to bring them to life year after year.

How to Safely Store Bulbs for Winter

To ensure your bulbs are healthy to replant next spring or summer, you’ll need to follow some simple preparation steps:

Timing

Timing is key when removing bulbs from the ground if you intend to replant them after winter. Wait until the current flower’s leaves are yellowing – probably around six weeks after their last flower – before you dig them up.

Get digging

If you’re digging up bulbs for winter, there are a few extra steps to take. Once the flower looks ready, get a small trowel and carefully dig a few inches around the perimeter of the plant. Leaving plenty of space means there’s less chance of accidentally damaging the bulb, so it’s best to leave more space than you think you’ll need.

Cleaning

Cleaning your bulbs will remove dirt and debris, as well as any insects that may have found their way in. If left here over winter, they can end up causing your bulb to rot, which can put the rest of your bulbs at risk, too.

Gently but thoroughly brush the bulbs to remove any lingering debris, being careful not to damage it in the process. Avoid washing your bulbs, as any excess water they hold can also cause them to rot.

Drying time

Before storing your bulbs for winter, it’s important to make sure they contain as little moisture as possible. If you have just removed them from the ground, there’s a good chance they’re too damp to store straight away, so set them up somewhere cool and dry for a couple of days.

Choosing a container

Once your bulbs are cleaned and dried, they’ll need to be stored away appropriately. They don’t need to go into a container, but if you would like to use one to keep everything neat and tidy, then opt for a cardboard box with plenty of room for the bulbs to breathe. Before placing the bulbs inside, be sure to remove any packaging from them. If you have lots of bulbs to store and want to layer them, place newspaper in between the layers to stop them from touching. Some gardeners also like to use sawdust underneath the bulbs to absorb any moisture that seeps in.

Storing

To ensure your bulbs are viable for next year, store them in a cool, dry, low-lit place like a garage or basement. Spring-blooming bulbs in particular need to be kept cold for six to eight weeks before they bloom to mimic the cold of the ground they would otherwise be in during the winter.

The job isn’t done once you’ve stored the bulbs away, as you’ll need to care for the bulbs through winter. Check on them every week or so, and remove any that have gone mushy and could negatively affect the others.

Get in Touch

To get expert help with your garden, or to find out more of our winter gardening tips, get in touch with Jim’s Mowing!