Many flower bulb varieties are hardy, but unfortunately not all. So those with an exotic origin tolerate no frost at all. But since they are perennial, they should not be sacrificed to the cold. Dig them up, overwinter them, and enjoy their blooms again.
Non-hardy bulbs such as gladioli should be dug up before winter
need for hibernation
Summer bloomers would freeze to death outside in sub-zero temperatures. They must therefore overwinter in a frost-free room. But the tubers have to be dug up for this. These include the following popular flower bulb varieties:
- royal crowns
- gladioli
- dahlias
- and lilies
Spring bloomers are hardy and ready to winter on the spot. But they can also be dug up for the winter. They are safe in one room, especially in rough areas. But there is also a risk that they will dry out in it or that fungi will spread.
When to dig
Even summer bloomers survive the first short frosts. But that's about it. They must be dug up before the onset of winter. Otherwise they will become mushy and rot. The current weather conditions determine the exact date. This can be different from year to year.
Required tool
The garden trade offers special tools that make it easy to dig up flower bulbs without damaging them. If you have a lot of flower bulbs in the garden, the purchase will certainly be worthwhile.
A small shovel and digging fork are also good for this activity. They are usually available in every garden shed and do not have to be bought separately.
tips
Digging out is particularly easy if the bulbs were planted with pots or special baskets that protect them from voles.
You have to pay attention to that
The flower bulbs must not be damaged when they are dug up and must survive the winter storage unscathed. Therefore, pay attention to the following points:
- Shorten the flower stalks of the summer bloomers to 10 cm
- Dig out carefully, loosen the earth around it
- Remove dirt from the onions
- discard damaged specimens
- Sort onions by variety
- Leave the flower bulbs to dry for a few days
Store the flower bulbs separately by variety and labeled if necessary. They must not be stacked on top of each other. The ideal storage room is dark, airy and with temperatures between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius.