When should lift and divide daffodils?

Our place came with drifts and drifts of daffs, which are so wonderful in February here. I'd like to dig and move some, but have never done it. The leaves are mostly down and brown now. If I dig now, can bulbs be held for replanting until fall? Or can I just wait until fall to dig and replant? Will the moved ones bloom next year?

What is the best way to proceed?

Thank you for the information!
Laura

Laura,
I move mine almost anytime. I believe it is safe to move them now as the foliage is browning. Don't know about storing them though.

Thank you, berrygirl.

When the foliage is completely dead, then lift them, let them dry for a day (not in the sun) and then store them as cool and dry as possible, where they can get plenty of air. Storing them in one of those bulb crates would be ideal.

You did fertilize them right after flowering, right?

Fertilize them?
uhmmmm....no.

Bulbs are just like humans.....they do not like wet feet all the time.....they do not like to be in the hot sun all the time......they like a cover when it is cold......they like to be in groups......they like to eat twice a year - right when they come up in the Spring and right after flowering - and you will be able to tell the difference, since they will be larger and thus have more umph for next year......they like to be talked to - nicely or else.......and I am sure that other D.G. 'ers can come up with some more similarities.

Hmmm...so it's too late to feed them their breakfast?

yes, specially if you are going to lift them. They still will be OK for this one time, but next time.....

:-)

I have never fertilized daffodils, not that it wouldn't be good to do if you live in a soil impoverished city yard. Mine do just fine, especially if I move them when they get overcrowded. You can keep them after digging just like you would tulip bulbs, when they are totally dry they can be put into brown paper lunch bags and kept indoors till planting time.

I have incredible soil, with loads of long, fat worms! So maybe they'll be good without the fertilizer, after all.