Tulip bulbs - should I lift them?

[TuttiFrutti]

I've never done this before but someone told me I should "lift" my tulip bulbs after they've flowered. Does this just mean dig them up? And when should I do it?

we don't, we've got some in tubs and some in boarders and they just pop up like magic every spring

Ah Furball, you must have better soil than me. Mine usually come up the second year but not after that.

Anyone else got any tips?

I've never lifted them, but I have very variable success. Some of them come back, others don't.

I think that it has something to do with whether you have well-drained soil. I seem to remember that as long as they are kept fairly dry, then they will be okay.

We are on chalk, and all of our neighbours bulbs seem to come back year after year.

ours return year after year - have never lifted them.