Planting Forgotten Spring Bulbs in Mid-April: Worth a Try

A gardener found unplanted tulip and daffodil bulbs in mid-April. Plant now or store until fall?

Plant Now—It's the Better Gamble

Bulbs require a cold period (12–16 weeks at 35–45°F) to bloom. If they've been stored cool (garage, basement), they may have partial chilling. Planting now gives them a chance; storing through summer risks rot, desiccation, or premature sprouting.

Planting Protocol

1. Inspect: Discard mushy, moldy, or desiccated (lightweight) bulbs. Firm, heavy bulbs are viable.
2. Plant 6" deep in well-drained, sunny spot. Add bone meal or bulb fertilizer.
3. Water once to settle soil.
4. Mulch 2".

Outcomes

• Best case: Some bloom this spring (especially early varieties).
• Likely: Foliage emerges, no flowers this year. Bulbs rebuild energy for next spring.
• Worst case: Bulbs rot or fail to emerge. But this also happens in storage.

Do Not Refrigerate

Fridge storage risks ethylene gas from fruit (causes flower abortion) and mold. Planting in ground is more natural.

Plant them this week. You have nothing to lose and potentially a surprise bloom.