Where are my daffodils?

I planted around 40 daffodil bulbs in three different beds and none of them have shown up here in zone 4. Neither have my crocus. However, the squill, allium, and grape hyacinth have all come up and some are blooming. What gives? The beds they are in are raised beds made of retaining wall blocks. The soil in them was put in last summer, and is comprised of equal part compost with garden soil. Then I added about 4 in of harwood mulch on top. They perennials I planted last year exploded, so what happened to my bulbs?

Dig up a few and see if the bulbs are still there, and are still intact. Some pests (gophers, voles) might eat some (but not daffodils) and some other pests (nematodes perhaps) might get to others. Some diseases (fungi) might get to some.

Other than that, many bulbs have a specific chilling requirement, but I would assume this had been met in your zone. I just hope it was not SO cold that it killed the ones that did not come up.

Daffodil's are normally as tough as old boots, so I agree with Diana and would lift some bulbs NOW to make sure they are either still there or IF rotted, you need to remove them as whatever has happened you need to remedy this before you find any diseases maybe lurking and can spread, Something has gone wrong for NO Daffodils to show any sign of life.
I dont think I would have used that type of mulch and NOT that thick/deep, but maybe someone else can tell you better than me.

Always good to get back with the results you find to alert any other new gardeners of the problem.
Hope it's NOT nasty.
Good luck.
Kind Regards.
WeeNel.

Alternate possibility, especially since it was ALL of certain species- misshandling before you bought them, over heated, or something.

Yeah, I only bough two different cultivars. I thought about digging them, but I planted them pretty deep, whatever the package said, around 8in if I remember correctly, and I just didn't want to do it. I guess I will be getting my hand dirty a little early this season. Thanks everyone!

Yes, it is very likely mis-handled bulbs, likely cooked in transit. This seems to happen very commonly, unfortunately. The depth you've planted them at is not a factor - they can survive just under the soil very well too.
I can't imagine any need to remove them, though simply attempting to dig one up, just for a look-see, may be useful.

As a rough guide for bulb planting for future ref, the bulbs should be planted 3 times deep as the size of bulbs, for instance, IF you Daffodil bulbs measured 2 inches from growing tip to root end, then you plant them around 6 inches deep.

There is always the exception to this, some lily bulbs like to be buried much deeper as I'm sure some other types do also, however I gave a guide.

The other thing is, when you said you put them around 8 inches under the ground, did this include the Hardwood mulch of 4 inches, if it did, then you have actually buried the bulbs a total of 12 inches so maybe they are still trying to reach the surface , maybe scrape some soil very gently around the planting areas to see IF the bulbs are still raising from the deep.

If buried 12 inches that's very deep BUT again, the type of Daffodil might be OK.
Hope the problem is resolve for you soonest and you do manage to enjoy the lovely show of flowering plants you took the trouble to plant.
Good luck.
Kind Regards.
WeeNel.

I don't remember exactly how far I planted them, it might have been 6in. I do know I planted them deeper than any of my other bulbs. I put on the mulch after that to help with the squirrels who kept trying to poke around and to add some winter protection, but I have since cleared most of it out of the way, so they should just have whatever I planted them at, plus maybe an inch of mulch to pop through.

If they don't come up I might just break down and buy some that are filling the stores with their cheery blooms. At least then I'll know those ones are viable.

Thanks again!

The bulbs that are in the store and in flower wont survive outside, they ahve been treated to flower indoors, however the good news Crayondoom is, after the flowers have stopped, remove the spent flowerheads, allow the foliage to die down (this helps feed the bulb and give it the energy required to form the next seasons flowering times.
If you have not thought about it, try to put a bit of garden cane where you have planted any bulbs, it makes it easy to know where you stem while tidying, and as you cant see the bulbs under the ground, then you could be standing on them or digging them up when doing other work in the same area, IF you damage the nice fleshy growing tip of the underground part of bulbs it may prevent flowering for the season.
All easy when you know how and everyone has there own little tips and knowhow to pass on, you will learn the best way to suit you BUT, the basic's are much the same.

Stop fretting about what has NOT happened and learn from what went wrong IF possible.Everyone starting out gets stuck and worry about something, believe me, after a couple of years you realise all you have lost is a few packets of seeds or a few dollars on bulbs, and some of your precious time, what you have gained is the fact something went wrong and you've asked for help to try fix it, you wont forget this first adventure into gardening but, as time passes and you keep at it, you end up with a lovely spot of garden.

take care and remember, folk are here to try help you out anytime.
Kindest regards.
WeeNel.

I've planted the ones that were blooming in the store and they did fine outdoors in our yard.