How do I plant bulbs with frozen ground?

Ahilly
by Ahilly

Ive several packages of bulbs I didnt get planted before the ground froze. What can I do to still have them grow for this spring outside ?

  7 answers
  • Gk Gk on Dec 16, 2018

    Hello Ahilly. Here's an article with some good information. You can plant your bulbs in pots using potting soil and store them in the garage until the ground is workable according to this article: https://www.thespruce.com/when-should-i-plant-spring-blooming-bulbs-1402231

  • Ken Erickson Ken Erickson on Dec 16, 2018

    I would dig up a large section of ground with a shovel instead of trying to use the wimpy bulb planting tool. Plant, add your amendments, and re-cover.

    • Ahilly Ahilly on Dec 16, 2018

      The ground is frozen solid already...even a big shovel cant get the ground dug up. Nice thought tho ! Thanksanyway !

  • Joy30150932 Joy30150932 on Dec 16, 2018

    You can pot them up putting about 6 to a pot and keeping in a cool place for the winter. Set out in the Spring and then remove from the pots when they have finished blooming and plant them in the ground. When planting 5-6 inches deep, place some Bone Meal in the hole and then the bulb. This helps to deter the squirrels from digging them up.

    • Ahilly Ahilly on Dec 16, 2018

      Thanks for the tip about using bone meal to keep the squirrels away from the bulbs! They are why i have to keep trying to replant every year ! I’ll get potting soil and plant inside then keep them cold til Spring. Do you think if I planted them once the ground thaws, that they would continue growing and bloom...or should I keep them in the pots til done blooming like you’ve said? I really like to see them growing in my flower beds!

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Dec 16, 2018

    I would go with planting them in pots, you may not have good luck planting them in any way into frozen ground, as the roots will not be able to grow from the warmth of the soil and if the bulbs then freeze they may not come up at all.

  • Wilma Wilma on Dec 16, 2018

    I would wait for the ground to thaw next spring.

  • Wilma Wilma on Dec 16, 2018

    I would wait for spring thaw to plant.

  • Joy30150932 Joy30150932 on Dec 17, 2018

    Plant them after they have finished blooming for this Spring and then plant them in readiness for the following year's blooms. I would let them complete their cycle for this Spring.