Question about tulips in pots

The ground froze as my final bulb order of the season was en route. As a result, I had to plant my tulips in pots.

At what point can I remove the tulips from the pots and plant them in the ground? I'm going to let them bloom in their pots in the spring. Can I plant them right after the foliage dies back, or should I keep them in their pots until ready to plant in the fall?

McGlory,

I'd imagine if you're very careful you can plant the entire soil block from the pot into the ground at any time your ground is workable, even if they haven't sprouted yet. Some of the online growers sell in the springtime those "prepared" tulip bulbs that are already cold-rooting in soil for direct planting in the garden. As long as the root mass is undisturbed you should be fine. From what I've read, tulips require fall rooting and, as long as they have that, followed by the required cold dormancy period, they'll be fine.