How to transplante daffodils??

Lillie
by Lillie

I found a huge patch of daffodils in the woods an would like to transplant them .do i dig them up an put them where i want them or do I dig them up an dry the bulbs an plant them in the fall. they are in full bloom now.If I have to dry them first how do i do that


  10 answers
  • Michelle Leslie Michelle Leslie on May 10, 2020

    Hi Lillie, you'll need to wait for then to become dormant before transplanting.. Then you can just dig them up and gently pull apart to separate. Plant in a hole that is three times as deep as the bulb is wide, add a little compost and drop the bulb in with the end where the leaves were pointing up

  • Gk Gk on May 10, 2020

    I would wait until the daffodils have finished flowering and the leaves are dying back. You can store the bulbs until fall and then plant them where you want them. You could mark them with a construction flag (plastic flag on wire) so you can find them in the woods once they die back.

    https://homeguides.sfgate.com/can-move-daffodils-after-flower-72110.html

  • When the flowers and leaves die-bake you can dig them up and store them in the basement until fall. That's the best time to plant them.

  • CJ CJ on May 10, 2020

    Hi Lillie,

    I recommend that you don't dig up the bulbs while they are blooming. Just mark the area the bulbs are in so you don't lose them throughout the summer. The bulbs need to finish blooming then store their energy for next year's blooms from the leaves into the bulbs... to help your bulbs store the most energy you should remove the blossoms and the seed pod after the flowers fade. The seed pod is an enlarged spot under the blossom and leave all of the straight stem.

    Once the leaves have turned brown and are easy to lift away, later in summer or fall, you can dig them up and place then in your prepared bed. I suggest you leave some in the spot you found them, as well. If it's a large area of daffodils and they've been there for years the bulbs will probably be in a crowded, tightly packed bunch with many bulbs that didn't bloom. Digging a large area will be a lot of work and if it is a large area just start on one side and work in or around. Digging and separating the bulbs will give them room to grow and bloom.

    Daffodils reproduce bulbs, smaller bulbs may not bloom until they've had another year or two to mature enough to bloom. They can also reproduce by seed but it seems to me to take several years to reach maturation for blooming. Also, seeds may produce a flower different than the flower from which it came.

  • Cindy Cindy on May 10, 2020

    Hi Lillie. Let the daffodils stay where they are until they die back. Then take a pointed shovel back to dig them up. Have their new holes ready for them. Good luck Lillie. Stay healthy and well.

  • Deb K Deb K on May 10, 2020

    Hi Lillie, you will want to wait until autumn to do this now, they are likely already starting,

    First, make sure that the daffodils are dormant before you move them. Wait until the foliage turns yellow. Dig the bulbs up and gently pull apart to separate them. Dig a hole that is three times as deep as the bulb is wide, add some compost and drop in the bulb with the foliage end pointing up.

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on May 10, 2020

    Dig them up and put were you want now

  • William William on May 11, 2020

    We are told the best time to transplant daffodils is in the fall and that is true. The bulbs are dormant. You have better temperatures and, usually, better moisture levels in the ground.


    The problem is you can’t remember where the bulbs were. The foliage is long gone. You might mark the location of the bulbs in the spring with a flag or some rocks. However, that isn’t always practical.


    With a little patience, you can transplant them sooner. Wait for the flowers and foliage to fade. When the foliage lays down, you can make your move. Sink your shovel about 6 inches from the base of the foliage. You don’t want to cut into the bulbs. Make these initial cuts into the ground all around the clump.


    Then, you can try to lift the clump. Don’t be surprised if you have to go deep. Over time, daffodils can be buried ever deeper by decaying leaves, soil over-wash by rains or repeated additions of mulch.


    Once the clump is out of the ground, you can break it up. Remember, clumps of 3, 5 or greater are always more appealing. Cut back the foliage. Don’t worry about feeding the bulbs. They are dormant. You will need to mark your calendar to remember to feed the bulbs in fall.


    Reset your bulbs in a sunny spot that is well drained. Planting spring bulbs amongst perennials is always nice. You would like something that will hide the fading foliage, if possible. Groundcovers are perfect as are deciduous shrubs. Once you’re done, you are ready to move on to that next gardening chore.