Tulip bulbs - plant BEFORE or AFTER the first frost?

[AntiqueBooks]

Hello

I'm seeing conflicting info re this.

After the first frost to minimise Tulip Fire or before the first frost to give them enough time to put roots down before the hard part of winter?

Where do you stand on this debate?!

Thanks

I didn't do my research properly and planted mine when they arrived at the beginning of October 😬😬😬😬 fingers crossed.

I said on another thread after the first frost, but I'm in Scotland and that for us is probably going to be in the next week or so.

Just to muddy the waters, I'm keeping half my bulbs in an old fridge I have to plant out in February as I lost loads to the squirrels last year.

I'd say

• for a pot - plant now. Less chance of tulip blight in fresh compost I think but protect from squirrels
• in the ground - wait

@JamMakingWannaBe I too am in Scotland - Edinburgh, 1 mile from the coast.

I'm planting in a pot.

I expect my cat to keep the squirrels away for me! He needs to earn his keep!

@AntiqueBooks
Hi to another Edinburgh resident 👋
We'll have to compare tulip displays in the Spring!

I’m in East Lothian so not far - planted mine in pots a couple of days ago so fingers crossed the drop in temps this week keeps the tulip fire away. Will post the results next spring!

Another member of the Edinburgh bulb club signing in! I'm going to plant my tulips in pots at the weekend. 🤞

We need some sort of secret signal so we can spot one another at garden centres!

Not in Edinburgh! Traditionally, tulips were planted later than other spring flowering bulbs but I think that as 'lasagne planting' has become more popular, they are being planted together.

I know that tulip fire was a problem for speculators in the days of tulip mania but I'm happy to take a chance.

I bought too many bulbs this autumn (none in garden) and now I am regretting it as the need to plant them gets more urgent!

Very much not in Edinburgh here!
How close to each other do you actually plant your tulips? Do you follow the guidelines or squidge them in together? In my bulb lasagnes, they’re tightly packed but the ones I have planted in the actual border are scattered. I want a national trust style display so am tempted to go back and infill with more.

You are all making me feel much better about not having got around to planting my bulbs out yet! I can pretend it was a deliberate ploy🤣

When is the best time for in ground in London please?

Me too!
I got all excited in the garden centre a while ago and now they are just still in the bags!
Now its raining im waiting for a dry window when I can get them in the ground!

The Edinburgh Bulb Club - is that a new novel by Alexander McCall Smith? 😂

I took the risk of planting all my bulbs at the same time this year. Alliums, Daffs, Tulips - all over one weekend in October. My cats have done nothing to deter the squirrels from merrily making off with my tulips. I’m not holding my hopes up for a great display next year.

Believe it or not, he taught me criminal law at edinburgh uni 20yrs ago!

Aaaah! So perhaps you are already in one of his books. The EBC is the next installment….

We have a resident squirrel in the garden: hovering, waiting… little blighter has already knocked my bird feeder off the wall by swinging on it 🤣

Hahaha! I'm afraid there was about 200 of us and I doubt he would recognise my name or face! He also did lectures in Medical Jurisprudence. He is one talented chap!

I actually work in Property now and have sold a property at Scotland St.

So it is a very small world!

Haven't had any frost yet here in Edinburgh but it's defo not going to get warm again so planted mine today! Have put in shed to make it harder for squirrels and also Monty Don says is good to give them shelter from heavy rain.

I planted the rest of mine this weekend. They were beginning to sprout so I think they were better in the ground.

Another EBC member here! It’s definitely cold here now and will plant mine tomorrow. Saved bulbs when they finished flowering this year which was a good year for spring bulbs as it wasn’t as wet as the year before. Fingers crossed for a good showing next year!

I especially liked this potted combination of a Farmer Gracy collection.

Are you me? I did this too. And it's snowing

Another Edinburgh resident here! We've had our frost now. Glas you got them in!