Hi @laislabonita
Thanks for your question about those forgotten spring bulbs. Don't panic, all is not lost! Whilst they might sulk a bit this year, you can absolutely still get them planted and most of them should recover for future seasons.
The honest answer about flowering
Bulbs that have been stored since early summer and are only being planted now in mid January have missed their ideal planting window by several months. Some probably have gone past their best but some may still survive.
Spring bulbs really want to be in the ground by late autumn (October to November ideally) so they can establish a good root system during winter before flowering in spring. Your bulbs have essentially been sitting dormant when they should have been developing roots.
https://youtu.be/4MQ55XVhFZQ
The upshot is that they probably won't flower this year, or if they do, it'll be a rather lacklustre show compared to what they're capable of. The bulbs will have used up a lot of their stored energy just sitting in storage, and they won't have had enough time to build up the root structure needed to support proper flowering. But here's the good news: if you get them planted now, they can still establish themselves and should flower beautifully next year.
Get them planted anyway
Even though you've missed the flowering boat for this spring, it's absolutely worth planting them out now rather than leaving them languishing in storage any longer. Every week they sit there, they're losing more energy and vigour. Pop them into pots or beds as soon as you can, even if the ground is cold. They'll start putting down roots and rebuilding their strength for next season.
https://youtu.be/xUaj1GFaGFU
When you plant them, give them a decent depth (roughly three times the height of the bulb) and make sure the pointy end faces upwards. If you're putting them in pots, use peat-free multipurpose compost with some added grit for drainage. For beds, just make sure the soil isn't waterlogged, as soggy conditions are the enemy of stored bulbs.
Check their condition first
Before you plant anything, give each bulb a quick inspection. Squeeze them gently, they should feel firm and relatively solid. If any are mushy, mouldy, or have completely dried out to papery husks, then I'm afraid those ones are goners and should go in the bin rather than the ground. Any that still feel reasonably firm are worth planting, even if they look a bit sorry for themselves.
Learn from this for next year
The silver lining here is that you'll remember this experience next time! Spring bulbs really don't enjoy extended storage. If you're lifting them from pots and beds (which is perfectly fine to do, especially with tulips to prevent disease), the trick is to store them somewhere cool, dark, and dry over summer, then get them back in the ground by October or November at the latest. Some gardeners set calendar reminders, others just make it part of their autumn planting routine alongside new bulb purchases.
Helpful bulb guides
For future reference and to help you plan what to do with these bulbs once they're established, have a look through my bulb guides and articles. You'll find loads of information on different bulb varieties, planting techniques, and how to create stunning seasonal displays. My spring bulbs by colour guide is particularly useful for planning colour schemes if you're combining different bulb types.
Final thoughts
So in summary: yes, you're late, and no, they probably won't flower much this spring. But get them planted anyway, give them some TLC with a feed once they start showing green growth, and they should reward you with a proper display next year. Nature is remarkably forgiving, and bulbs are tougher than you might think.
Let us know how you get on, and don't beat yourself up about it. We've all got a box of something forgotten at the back of the shed!
Happy planting!
Lee Garden Ninja
Hi @laislabonita
Thanks for your question about those forgotten spring bulbs. Don't panic, all is not lost! Whilst they might sulk a bit this year, you can absolutely still get them planted and most of them should recover for future seasons.
The honest answer about flowering
Bulbs that have been stored since early summer and are only being planted now in mid January have missed their ideal planting window by several months. Some probably have gone past their best but some may still survive.
Spring bulbs really want to be in the ground by late autumn (October to November ideally) so they can establish a good root system during winter before flowering in spring. Your bulbs have essentially been sitting dormant when they should have been developing roots.
The upshot is that they probably won't flower this year, or if they do, it'll be a rather lacklustre show compared to what they're capable of. The bulbs will have used up a lot of their stored energy just sitting in storage, and they won't have had enough time to build up the root structure needed to support proper flowering. But here's the good news: if you get them planted now, they can still establish themselves and should flower beautifully next year.
Get them planted anyway
Even though you've missed the flowering boat for this spring, it's absolutely worth planting them out now rather than leaving them languishing in storage any longer. Every week they sit there, they're losing more energy and vigour. Pop them into pots or beds as soon as you can, even if the ground is cold. They'll start putting down roots and rebuilding their strength for next season.
When you plant them, give them a decent depth (roughly three times the height of the bulb) and make sure the pointy end faces upwards. If you're putting them in pots, use peat-free multipurpose compost with some added grit for drainage. For beds, just make sure the soil isn't waterlogged, as soggy conditions are the enemy of stored bulbs.
Check their condition first
Before you plant anything, give each bulb a quick inspection. Squeeze them gently, they should feel firm and relatively solid. If any are mushy, mouldy, or have completely dried out to papery husks, then I'm afraid those ones are goners and should go in the bin rather than the ground. Any that still feel reasonably firm are worth planting, even if they look a bit sorry for themselves.
Learn from this for next year
The silver lining here is that you'll remember this experience next time! Spring bulbs really don't enjoy extended storage. If you're lifting them from pots and beds (which is perfectly fine to do, especially with tulips to prevent disease), the trick is to store them somewhere cool, dark, and dry over summer, then get them back in the ground by October or November at the latest. Some gardeners set calendar reminders, others just make it part of their autumn planting routine alongside new bulb purchases.
Helpful bulb guides
For future reference and to help you plan what to do with these bulbs once they're established, have a look through my bulb guides and articles. You'll find loads of information on different bulb varieties, planting techniques, and how to create stunning seasonal displays. My spring bulbs by colour guide is particularly useful for planning colour schemes if you're combining different bulb types.
Final thoughts
So in summary: yes, you're late, and no, they probably won't flower much this spring. But get them planted anyway, give them some TLC with a feed once they start showing green growth, and they should reward you with a proper display next year. Nature is remarkably forgiving, and bulbs are tougher than you might think.
Let us know how you get on, and don't beat yourself up about it. We've all got a box of something forgotten at the back of the shed!
Happy planting!
Lee Garden Ninja
Lee Burkhill: Award Winning Designer & BBC 1's Garden Rescue Presenters Official Blog
