Planting bulbs for spring

[WorkerBeeeee]

Hello

Why is it that we plant bulbs in autumn for spring? Don't they just freeze during the winter?!

Anyway, I don't have a garden but I'd like to grow something inside - can I do this? I'd especially like something that will grow again rather than a one-time only thing. Will those hyacinths in a pot that Tesco sell in spring grow year after year? Should I wait and buy those or should I just buy my own bulbs online now and plant them?

What about daffodils and crocuses? Or snowdrops?

Many thanks
The clueless indoor gardener

Because they need to grow roots first. Otherwise they would fall over. Many plants have natural de-icer in their make up to stop them from freezing, it is why parsnips are sweeter after a frost.

Growing bulbs inside...possible but I'd suggest they would come up early because it would be too warm for them. Why bulbs specifically?

Do you have a windowsill, could you have to have a window box? I think they have to get cold in order to sprout and flower in spring.

Thanks guys. I see the importance of keeping them cool. My flat is quite warm as I get the heat from those under me. I have cactii indoors but I thought the colour from bulbs might be a nice chance. Yes I have a windowsill but not sure about a windowbox. Would be afraid of it falling on someone's head!

I do have shared use of a shed so would this be a plan?:
Buy bulbs, pot them and leave in shed so they stay cool until March and then bring them into the house to flower? Then return them to shed once they have died off and see if they regrow the following year?

I suppose that must be what a "potting shed" is? Would I just go in and water my bulbs during the year when they are not inside?
As you can tell, I have never even watched Gardner's world!

Bulbs give me absolute joy.
I planted about 100 last week, and the anticipation for them breaking through the elements in spring truly makes me happy

Some narcissi can grow indoors. It’s best to leave outside for now but then bring in when wanted dec/jan and they will flower on a sunny window, you force them really with warmer, sunny environment. lift then leave in a dark cool place and plant out. Amaryllis work but are big.

I planted tulips today and a few more daffodils. Can’t wait to see them peeking through in January before flowering in early spring.

Amaryllis You could grow an amaryllis or some daffodils for forcing. Paperwhite are nice. The hyacinths are lovely. But they won’t come back next year. Growing them indoors uses up all their energy. It’s different if they are outdoor and going through a more natural lifecycle.

amarylis will come back again.

Bulbs have cycles of dormancy and growth. If they don’t get chilled they won’t grow flowers when it gets warmer. You can buy pre-chilled bulbs that are designed to be grown indoors and flower early. Basically they’ve been fooled into thinking it’s already been winter and now your lovely warm house is spring. Have a look for some paperwhite daffodils, they grow well indoors.

The indoor bulbs in a pot I've had before you had to keep them in the fridge for a bit, presumably to replicate them being outside in the cold. Then had to keep them in the dark for ages. I don't think indoor ones do very well to come again.

The bulbs need a period of cold and frost to "wake up". Then they flower at the right time.

The best indoor bulb we grow is an Amaryllis. It's gorgeous and comes back year after year. We keep it in the porch, so although it's technically indoors it's also exposed to the elements. Hopefully the pic uploads....

For indoors you should go for exotic or tropical type bulbs rather than snow drops etc. Snow drops do actually need the cold.

This is all extremely helpful, thank you so much! Off to google and make a few purchases! Will probably try a few different things and see what works out best!

There are lots of bulbs that can be grown inside once then planted in the garden later. Each year I grow iris reticulata, a range of daffodils and narcissi, tulips, hyacinths, and many other bulbs. Once in their pots and watered, they need to be in the dark to allow them to grow until the flower is showing. They can then be brought inside.

‘Prepared’ hyacinths grow quickly the first year then revert to a normal cycle in the garden.

It’s now quite late for bulb planting but you can pick up sale bargains easily. The great thing about bulbs is that the flower is already formed in the bulb so, given the right conditions, it will grow. Tulips can be planted up until December.

Good luck!

taking notes
Thank you! I'm nearly 40 so 'tis time I had a wholesome hobby like this!