Art Knapp Articles
Why to Store Your Bulbs for Next Year
in Tips and TutorialsThere are many reasons why people store bulbs. In this article we are going to go over some of those reasons. In our part of the world, USDA gardening zones seven and eight, we store bulbs over the winter. But occasionally you may need to store them over the summer.
Why Store Bulbs
Here are some of the reasons why you may want to dig up and store bulbs (or corms, rhizomes, or tubers).
- Timing
If your plant should be planted in the fall like a tulip, and you acquired the bulbs in the spring, then you may want to store them until fall.
- Weather
Our weather may be too cold to leave some bulbs (or corms) in the ground over the winter (like dahlias). In that case, you would dig them up after they are completely finished flowering and the leaves have died back to store somewhere warmer than the ground and then plant them again in the spring or summer.
- Critters
If critters relentlessly dig up your bulbs and run away with them in the fall, then you may want to dig them up and over-winter them inside where you can protect them.
- Propagation
Digging up the bulb is an easy way to propagate the plant yet preserve the characteristics of the plant you have.
- Crowding
If the space you have allowed for your plant is too crowded, this may be unsightly, and it may also be damaging to the plant. The answer is to dig up some or all of the bulbs, corns, tubers, or rhizomes, and remove some. They can be stored, and replanted somewhere else in the yard the following spring.
Digging up bulbs, corms, rhizomes, and tubers is also your opportunity to propagate your plants and maybe trade some with your friends. Propagation before storage can also allow you to replant and cover more area in the garden with the same plant or flower which might currently be crowded in a small space.
Art Knapp has 15 locations across British Columbia and is well known as the go-to garden centre for everything garden-related. Art Knapp, himself, began the business in the 1940's, and now, 80 years later, you can find more than he ever dreamed of in our stores. Come and see us on King George Boulevard in Surrey.
If you have any questions about this article or want to talk to us about gardening, just give us a call at (604) 596-9201.