How to Store Bulbs Now So They Bloom Better Than Ever Next Spring

Many flowering bulbs—like dahlias, cannas, begonias, and more—fade by the first frost and aren’t hardy enough to survive the frigid temperatures of certain USDA zones. Rather than leaving them in the ground, certain bulbs need to be dug up and overwintered indoors until they are ready to be planted again the following spring. To keep your bulbs viable, we spoke to expert gardeners who shared their tips for storing bulbs over winter the right way, helping you save your beloved flowers for another season.

When to Store Bulbs

Hardy spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, and crocuses can remain planted in the ground during winter in most climates. "But tender bulbs, which can easily be damaged by frost, will need to be dug up and stored over winter," Morris Hankinson, garden expert and managing director of Hopes Grove Nurseries, explains.

According to Peggy Anne Montgomery, horticulturist at Flowerbulb.eu, tender bulbs are only hardy in the warmer climates of zones 8 to 10. "If you garden in colder zones, these bulbs won’t survive the winter outdoors and should be dug up and stored indoors," she says. Doing so allows you to keep the same bulbs year after year, and they’ll often grow larger and bloom better the next season.

Aim to dig up tender bulbs after the first frost, once the leaves become brown and dry. The first frost varies depending on your USDA hardiness zone. In some regions, it can occur as early as August and as late as December or January in others.

How to Dig Up Bulbs

Follow these simple instructions for safely removing bulbs from the ground.

1. Select the right gardening tool. Montgomery recommends using a digging fork to carefully lift the bulbs from the soil.
2. Using your digging fork, dig a hole where the bulbs are planted. "Dig carefully," she warns. "The bulbs have grown since you planted them."
3. Gently lift the bulbs from the soil. Brush or rinse off the remaining soil from the bulbs.
4. Let the bulbs dry. Do this by relocating the bulbs to a dark, warm, well-ventilated space between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit for about a week, or until the bulbs are completely dry.

How to Store Bulbs

After the bulbs are dry, it’s time to store them.

1. Place the bulbs in a breathable container, such as a bulb crate or cardboard box.
2. Layer the bulbs between dry materials, such as vermiculite, coir, cedar chips, or newspaper, that will absorb lingering moisture. The layers prevent individual bulbs from touching each other, which will thwart the spread of mold or rot.
3. Keep the bulbs in a cool, dark, and ventilated location, such as an unheated garage, over winter. Storing is about allowing the bulbs to remain dormant without getting wet, too hot, or frozen, says Hankinson.
4. Frequently check in on the bulbs every few weeks and remove any that show signs of rot or mold.

Where to Store

The best bulb storage spots maintain temperatures between 35 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. "This is cool but not freezing," Montgomery explains. Thus, an unheated basement or garage often works well. "The space should also be dark to prevent premature growth and have good air circulation to reduce mold and disease." If you live near a warm zone, you can sometimes overwinter potted bulbs in window wells, where temperatures stay just above freezing.

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Flowering Bulbs to Store in Winter

Keep these expert tips in mind when storing the following common tender bulbs.

• Dahlias: Dig these bulbs (called tubers) up after the first frost. Remove all the foliage and brush off any remaining soil and rotten material. Hankinson recommends hanging them upside down in a cool, dry place to allow them to dry before storing them in a crate of sand, sawdust, or vermiculite. “They will be ready to store after about a week when they are dry and firm,” he says. Store in a cool, dark place, such as a basement or a cool, dry closet. Check on them each month and remove any bulbs that look moldy or rotten.
• Gladiolus: In zones 3 to 7, remove these from the soil after the first light frost. In zones 8 to 10, it’s possible to leave this plant in the ground if the soil is free draining, says Hankinson. A light mulch can protect them in these zones. When the bulbs are ready to be moved, cut back the plant a few inches from the ground and gently lift it from the soil. Brush away any remaining soil on the plant and remove any dead, diseased, or damaged bulbs. "Start by laying them in a warm, dry place for about two weeks, and when they are dry, store them in paper bags in a cool, dark place," he adds. Check monthly and remove rotting or moldy bulbs.
• Begonias: Tuberous begonias must be removed after the first frost. Cut back the foliage to a few inches above the soil and gently lift the tubers. Brush off the soil, then dry them in a warm place for about a week, says Hankinson. Discard any unhealthy tubers and store them in paper bags or a cardboard box with sand or sawdust.
• Cannas: Dig these up after frost blackens the foliage and before the ground freezes over. Allow these bulbs to dry for about two or three days in a warm spot in the house, but not in direct sunlight, says Hankinson. Brush off the soil and remove any rotten or moldy spots before storing them in a crate, paper bag, or box with sawdust, sand, or vermiculite.
  

Common Mistakes

Avoid these mistakes when storing bulbs, and you can replant them again in spring.

• Not adding labels: Many bulbs look the same, especially after their foliage has been cut back. Consider labeling your bulbs before storing them, says Hankinson, so you can easily identify them when they are ready to be planted in spring.
• Storing too soon: If bulbs are stored before they have had time to dry out, moisture will build inside the bulbs, and they will likely rot. You always want to let them dry out first, says Montgomery. "Patience when storing will pay off next spring."
• Using airtight containers: Bulbs need ventilation. Airtight containers, such as plastic bags or sealed bins, will trap moisture and cause mold, leading to diseased bulbs that you'll have to discard.
• Storing in heat: Bulbs can get moldy if stored in a warm environment. This is why storing the bulbs in the right temperature range is vital.
• Forgetting to check on stored bulbs: It's easy to forget about your stored bulbs. "They may do well through winter, without being checked on, but you could also find a mushy mess in spring, so plan to keep an eye on them monthly," Hankinson says.