Can I still plant my daffodil bulbs?

alibongo42

The bulb packet says the latest I can plant my daffodils is December. Like lots of other things recently, I just didn't get around to doing it!

It seems a shame to waste these bulbs and I wondered if I planted them now is there any chance whatsoever that they might be ok?

Maxjessdru

I have not planted daffs late but planted tulips v.late one year (later than this) and they grew and flowered, just a little later than they should. Go for it!

annie123

Better in the ground than in the packet.

Worse case they come up blind, and great flowers next year, best case they flower.
Providing the grounds not frozen get planting.

Peartree

Last winter, my mum realised she's forgotten her bulbs in the previous autumn. She stuck them in pots in Jan/Feb and got one of the best displays she'd ever had. She is extraordinarily greenfingered though!

It might not work in the garden but it is always cheeful to have a couple of pots of spring pots outside the kitche door. Give it a go. Unless you've got a special variety, it's not as thought they cost much. If it doesn't work you cna always stick them in the garden next autumn.

spikypixie

It's so mild this year, everything is confused in the garden in any case. I have roses still in bloom alongside autumn flowering cherries (still flowering) and sprouting daffodils, so they'll be in good company!

youngie

yes plant them I planted late last year best daffs Ive ever had

littlebighorse

I grow outdoor daffodils professionally and can say without question that they will be fine. Don't hesitate to get them in the ground.
We have bought tonnes of bulbs cheaply late in the season and planted them.In an ideal world they would be planted early in September (or even late August) but planting as late as January is far from unheard of.
They may be a little backward (not growing as vigourously and throwing fewer/less powerful flowers) in the first couple of years - some varieties are affected worse than others - but in the longer term they should be nice.

alibongo42

Thanks everyone. I'll give it a go and cross my fingers!

jap200

I planted some last year when the ones in the ground were about to flower (the bulbs had started to sprout too) and they were fine - just flowered late, which was rather nice actually.

As pointed out above - there is no harm in trying.

Caroline2CV

littlebighorse wrote:

I grow outdoor daffodils professionally and can say without question that they will be fine. Don't hesitate to get them in the ground.
We have bought tonnes of bulbs cheaply late in the season and planted them.In an ideal world they would be planted early in September (or even late August) but planting as late as January is far from unheard of.
They may be a little backward (not growing as vigourously and throwing fewer/less powerful flowers) in the first couple of years - some varieties are affected worse than others - but in the longer term they should be nice.

Ideally I would like to buy bulbs in bulk later in the season and any savings made would help to fund quality gardening tools. Some of the bulbs would be ideal for the local U3A Gardening group plant swop!

Poppycat

I was going to buy so daffs for our new house late last year but I now dont move until 1st Feb.

One question regarding daffs as I dont have a large garden I will rely on pots a lot can I plant daffs and once dead take them up and store them for later that year? Thanks