Grow hardy bulbs now

Thu., Feb. 9, 2006

The Washington Post

Hardy bulbs grown for indoor winter flowering – such as miniature yellow daffodils, grape hyacinth, crocus and hyacinth – can be planted outdoors in garden beds in early March.

Amaryllis: Cut off the faded flower. The stalk will continue to feed the bulb and can be left until it shrivels. Don’t remove any leaves. Leave the pot in a bright room or under fluorescent lights, water as needed and feed regularly, preferably with a slow-release bulb fertilizer low in nitrogen.

The pot can be set outdoors in a protected spot after frost danger has passed. Hardy bulbs: Remove faded flowers and continue growing indoors. Unpot them in March and plant them in good soil in a sunny, well-drained garden bed. Flowering may be weak the first spring but should build each year.

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