My Husband And I Just Bought A New House, But…
Stephanie Asked
My husband and I just bought a new house, but I already planted my bulbs for spring. We are moving before Dec. 15, but have already had a hard frost. Is it okay for me to dig up my bulbs and replant them at our new home? If so, is there a process of what I should do? I really don’t want to leave them behind, for both my flower love and my hate of wasted money.
The Gardener’s Answer
Hi, Stephanie: Congratulations on your new home! I understand about not wanting to leave your bulbs behind especially since you have not been able to enjoy them. December is a bit late to get your bulbs in the ground but as long as the ground is not frozen you should have a pretty high success rate. Luckily you know where they are planted so go ahead and dig up the bulbs but be very careful not to injure them in the process. This is going to be the tricky part; gingerly start off digging with your hand trowel and then use your hands to dig the rest of the way, lifting the bulbs from the soil. It should be easy to work since you just planted them. Allow the bulbs to dry out for a day or two before you store them. This will prevent any rot problems. You will want to store them in a cool, dry space with good air circulation until you can get them back in the ground. I know you will have a lot to do when you move but make sure that getting the bulbs back in the ground is on the top of your to-do list. You may even talk to your realtor to see if planting them before you close on the house would be an option.
