Various potting media are available. The ideal forcing medium is well drained, yet able to hold enough moisture for adequate root production and to support the flowering bulbs. I use soil, sand and compost in equal parts.

Next, think ahead and decide when you want your flowers to bloom. If that’s early February to mid-March, plant your bulbs from early October to mid-November to give them the 13 to 15 weeks of cold treatment hardy bulbs require to bloom. Plant them with their noses (tips) just above the soil level in the pot, or to about two-thirds their length. Tulip bulbs have a curved side and a flat side—not to be confused with the basal plate where the roots will emerge. Plant your tulip bulbs so that the flat side faces the outside of the pot. This assures that the plant will unfurl its first leaf toward the perimeter of the pot, and will have a fuller look. Cover crocus and grape hyacinth with no more than an inch of soil.

After planting, all bulbs need to be thoroughly watered. Remember to label each pot with the name of the cultivar you plant, the planting date and the date it should come into the house.

Out in the Cold

Now place the bulbs where they will get a minimum of 13 to 15 weeks of 35 to 48 degrees F cold. Some tulip and narcissus cultivars require an average of 17 weeks, but don’t keep any bulbs in cold treatment for more than two weeks longer than maximum recommended cold time, as you will end up with flowers of poor quality. You’re also likely to get low-quality flowers if you don’t give bulbs the minimum cold treatment.

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