• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide

Growing Bulbs in Containers

I am a new gardener and filled my deck with pots of annuals. They were beautiful and now I would like to try growing bulbs in my deck planters. Can I simply remove the dead annuals and replace them with tulip, daffodil and hyacinth bulbs?

Unfortunately it is not that easy. The small volume of soil in your pots will plunge below freezing and kill the bulbs. I recommend you purchase pre-cooled bulbs or purchase bulbs now and provide the needed chill. Spring flowering bulbs need 12 to 15 weeks of 35 to 45 degree temperatures to initiate flowers. You can either pot the bulbs in smaller containers with drainage holes filled with well-drained potting mix or leave them in their original package. I often pack them in peat moss inside a perforated plastic bag to reduce risk of rot. Store in a frost free, like a spare refrigerator, area where temperatures remain between 35 to 45 degrees. Keep the bulbs separate from apples and other mature fruit. In spring plant the bulbs in fresh soil or sink the pots in the balcony pots and enjoy your spring blooms.

Related

Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars


Feb. 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Organic Insect Pest Management for Vegetable and Flower Gardens

Register here

Feb. 14-16, 2025
NARI Milwaukee Spring Home Improvement Show
West Allis, WI

Feb. 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Strategies for Managing Invasive Plants

Register here

Feb. 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Create a Beautiful Shade Garden

Register here

Feb. 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
How to Select Rain Garden Plants

Register here

March 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Grow Pollinator-friendly Spring and Summer Flowering Bulbs

Register here

March 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Register here


March 22, 23, 29, 30, 2025
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI

March 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Succession Planting & Crop Rotation

Register here

March 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Rain Garden Q & A

Register here

April 2, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Container Gardens for Sun & Shade
Register here


April 10, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Reinvigorate Your Rain Garden
Register here


May 7, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Vertical Gardening
Register here


May 15, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property

Register here

June 4, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Attracting Hummingbirds

Register here

WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Learn More

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Enter to Win 3 Collections of Longfield Gardens
Dahlia Bulbs

ENTER NOW