Planting bulbs through 6 " of snow ?

I bought a lot of allium bulbs of several different varieties on sale at 70% off. I just got them all in the ground planting through about 6 inches of snow. It is sunny now and 40 degrees outside. I am in zone 5 in Michigan by Lake Huron. Will the bulbs be OK? I planted daffodils a couple weeks ago and grape hyacynths last weekend. This is a new raised bed bordered with cement cottage blocks about 20 inches high off the ground. It is filled with new soil that was still loose and workable through the snow. I have never planted bulbs this late. The alliums are all late blooming varities. Will they be OK do you think?

Brenda

I bet they will be fine as long as they are in well-drained soil, etc.etc.

I just read on one of the other threads that one gardener (I think in Michigan) customarily plants her bulbs the first two weeks in December to avoid squirrel raiders earlier in the fall. She uses an auger if the soil is a little frozen...

I still have a lot of allium, muscari and chinodoxia to plant, too, so I guess we will both find out come spring!

I planted daffs on New Year's Day one year, digging 2 feet of snow off to get to the dirt. They were fine and are still out there blooming every spring. The whole thing about bulbs is not how cold they get, although they must get cold in order to bloom, but whether or not they sit in water. In other words, rotting is the concern, not freezing.

Thank you so much for your replies tabasco and Kathleen! I have been so worried about those bulbs I was even dreaming about them. :) I paid over $60 for them and at 70% off you can imagine how much they would have been without the discount. One allium was marked $10.99! I would never have paid that much for a bulb but with the 70% off it was 'doable'. I would hate to lose them after all the money and effort planting.

They are in a raised bed and the soil here tends to be on the sandy side anyway.......until you get about 3 or 4 feet down then you hit clay in spots. I tried to pick bulbs that the deer don't care for. This is my first time gardening in the country with deer and other critters. It is encouraging to know others have had good results planting late. I found this cute little jingle while surfing the net and would like to share with you all. This is to be read with the song Jingle Bells in mind.

Happy Gardening!
Brenda

Dashing through the yard, 'cause my wife wants me to plant,
She's even standing guard, laughing as I rant.
Plant these tulips here, daffodils go there,
She thinks it's fun to plant right now, but snow is in the air!

Planting bulbs, planting bulbs, planting all the bulbs!
O what fun it is to plant in the freezing winter air!
Planting bulbs, planting bulbs, planting all the bulbs!
O what fun it is to plant in the freezing winter air!

The garden is my friend, or so my wife does say,
But I think it's a plot, our soil is just clay!
I've got so much to do, preparing all the beds,
There's Iris, Crocus, Lilies too - and more in the shed!

Planting bulbs, planting bulbs, planting all the bulbs!
O what fun it is to plant in the freezing winter air!
Planting bulbs, planting bulbs, planting all the bulbs!
O what fun it is to plant in the freezing winter air!

I see the deer nearby, I know they're watching me,
They want my bulb supply, to eat with merry glee.
The squirrels wander near, discussing their next meal,
These little critters have no fear, they truly are unreal!

Planting bulbs, planting bulbs, planting all the bulbs!
O what fun it is to plant in the freezing winter air!
Planting bulbs, planting bulbs, planting all the bulbs!
O what fun it is to plant in the freezing winter air!

Chilled right to the bone, Hands and toes are numb,
Planting all alone, I think I might be done!
The winter may be near, but so the story goes,
Planting time is always here - and yes! my garden grows!

Planting bulbs, planting bulbs, planting all the bulbs!
O what fun it is to plant in the freezing winter air!
Planting bulbs, planting bulbs, planting all the bulbs!
O what fun it is to plant in the freezing winter!

Your rhyme is hilarious. I would show my family but it hits a little too close to home for them, especially the 'laughing-rant' lines!

When I buy my bulbs on end of season sale I love them even more--especially the (expensive) giant alliums--that's why I run late on planting too.

The deer hate them (the allium) , though, and the neighbors love them, so they're worth it!

Enjoy the weekend. t.

Loon:
This is just to funny! I bought so many bulbs this year that I need help from hubby to plant because my back was so sore. I can still see him ranting that I cut into his tree planting time to dig holes for my bulbs. lol
Thanks for sharing. It made my morning.

And now that tabasco posted that sale on the forum, I am sure we'll have some ranting again. Just hum that tune for me today and tomorrow.

Mary

This message was edited Nov 27, 2004 10:42 AM

very cute LOON!
im sure your bulbs are fine,but why didnt you wait a day or two? Our snow is about gone! its michigan and you know what they say-just wait 5 min the weather will change! lol

im going to stick the mums in the ground today! HO HO HO!

love your rhyme got to copy that for DH

notmartha,

My snow is all gone too. I'm not far from you in Au Gres. It did rain all day. I guess if I had a choice I'd rather plant through snow in the sunshine then plant in mud in the rain. :) At least the bulbs are getting a nice drink now before the ground freezes.

I just remember I won an auction on Ebay for three trees that haven't been delivered yet. Oh dear. I guess I should go ahead and dig the holes ahead of time so when they come I can drop them in with some bagged soil and mulch for the winter.


Brenda

Love your bulb song.LOL.Jody

Brenda-glad to meet you! I go through Augres all the time-MIL has rv at the rvpark in tawas by the peir,Deann lives really close to you off tonken rd!

Yes its yuck n muddy here! cant wait for spring!
mums still unplanted!

I planted one pot of mums today. Deann and I know each other. She's very nice. I went to Tawas garden club meeting with her. She is from my hometown Garden City. We live in GC and weekend in AuGres but it will be our retirement home in a few years. I hope to meet you someday.

Brenda

I guess I don't feel so bad that I don't have all my bulbs in the ground now that I see others are moving snow to plant them! Hoping to get mine done next week, but next week never comes!! LOL!

Yeh, I've got 50 bulbs to get planted yet and I will probably end up potting them unless I get going and get them inthe ground! Glad to know there are others still behind!

I still need to plant. Is it too late for daffs muscari and the allium?

Tobasco:
I have planted this late in the year. As long as the ground isn't frozen, I believe that you can still plant. Mulch....and protect from the critters.
And thanks to you tip about the bulb sale, we are planting again. My spot is all warmed up for them. The bed is ready and covered with a tarp.
Happy planting!
Mary

I have planted blubs on Christmas before,, as long as ground is not frozen I'm out there,, just have to remember where everything is in the spring !!! lol

Loon! I *love* your song! (and the story that goes with it! :-D)

~julie~