I'm getting into full garden clean-up mode, but I'm not quite ready to dump my containers. I've been replacing some of the tired out plants that have been working hard all summer with cool pansies, petunias and some perennials I got on sale this fall. I was looking over this piece from the New York Botanical Garden on potting up fall containers, and I was reminded about the tip to underplant them with spring bulbs. If you're still doing your fall planting, check out the rest of their tips.
Photo: © Marie Iannotti
Comments
I live in zone 4 (Wisconsin) Can I plant tulip bulbs in containers and leave outside? It does get to -20 in winter ( burr – I hate to even think about it)
Diane, I answered you on facebook, but I’ll post it here, too.
You won’t be able to leave the pots out without some protection. If the whole pot freeze, as it probably will in Zone 4, the bulbs will be killed. A container has too small an amount of soil to offer any insulation.
If you could move the pot somewhere sheltered, like a garage or a cold basement, you would stand a better chance. Otherwise I would try prechilling them in the fridge and planting them in the spring.
Here’s how long to prechill different bulbs.