How and Why to Pre-Chill Bulbs Earlier than Planting in Fall


October 20, 2022 by Robin Plaskoff Horton

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After summer time’s scorching warmth, autumn’s cooler temps have arrived, signaling the time to plant spring-blooming bulbs. Fall-planted bulbs could not supply on the spot gratification however will present post-winter blooms well worth the wait. 

Relying on the place you backyard, you might must pre-chill your bulbs earlier than planting them within the fall. As a result of most spring-blooming bulbs, together with tulips, crocus, muscari, hyacinths, and alliums, originate from climates with chilly winters, they require a number of months of chilly temperatures to bloom correctly. Gardeners in zones 8-11 with delicate winters want to present bulbs a “substitute winter” to imitate the bulb’s native atmosphere by pre-chilling them in order that they’ll bloom accurately. With out chilling, the bulb could develop, however it might not flower. 

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In Northern areas with cooler fall temperatures, gardeners can plant bulbs straight within the floor with out pre-chilling them. The bottom will develop into chilly over the winter to supply the bulbs loads of the nippiness time they’ll must prepared themselves for a burst of spring blooms. 

In zones 8-10, bulbs corresponding to Dutch iris, freesia, and a few daffodils, native to related hotter climates, don’t want pre-chilling. Most different bulbs, nonetheless, want publicity to 6 to eight weeks of constantly chilly temperatures (beneath 45°F) to flower properly.

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Chilling fall bulbs within the fridge is a simple possibility. Place them in a ventilated bag to maintain them from drying out. Keep away from storing them close to ripening fruit, which off-gasses ethylene that can harm the bulbs.

Plan to start chilling your bulbs mid to late October, ideally at 35 to 45°F for 10 to fifteen weeks. Bulbs chilled within the fall must be able to plant in January or February. After the pre-chilling stage, plant them instantly. Most bulbs will start blooming 4 to 6 weeks after planting.

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