Digging up Tulips too early

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aspenjocop Northeast, MO(Zone 5b) May 13, 2009

Hey, All!

I am just getting into the outdoor gardening thing so I need layman terms lol. My neighbor doesn't want His tulips anymore. He wants me to dig them up now instead of fall. Will that hurt the bulb for next year? The blooms are starting to fall off of them now. Same thing with His rhubarb and a peony. I was always told these could not be moved until fall. How can I move these properly and do they need to be stored or can they go right back into the ground? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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trioadastra Woodbury, MN(Zone 4a) May 15, 2009

I'd try to dig them up without disturbing the roots, if possible. Try to lift a whole clump of dirt, then you can rinse the dirt off and give it back to neighbor, or transplant the whole glob. I've had pretty good success moving bulbs early. I can't speak for the rhubarb, but you can move the peony now too. Keep as much dirt around the roots as possible undisturbed, and replant them at the same depth. Don't expect blooms this year, or next, while they re-establish.

Post #6550382
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aspenjocop Northeast, MO(Zone 5b) May 15, 2009

Thank you so much for helping me, trioadastra! I was hoping I could do that and I needed someone experienced like you to confirm it. These are old senimental tulips and peony which I can't replace.

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