In every tulip bulb there is the vitality for long-term cultivation in the bed and on the balcony, based on robust winter hardiness. Cold is even essential for flower induction. However, we cannot leave the flower bulbs completely to their own devices. Read here which additional measures make sense for magnificent blooms over several years.
Are tulips hardy and how do you protect them in winter?
Tulips are hardy and require cold to induce flowering, so they should be planted 25-30 cm deep in beds or 10-15 cm deep in clay-rich soil. Winter protection such as jute, fleece or bubble wrap is recommended in the pot, as is mulching or layers of leaves in harsh winters in gardens.
No winter hardiness without the right planting depth
A tulip bulb can only play its trump card of stable winter hardiness if it is deep enough in the ground. When planting, you set the course for a he althy wintering. How to do it right:
- Plant tulip bulbs in a sunny location between mid-October and the end of November
- The ideal planting pit is two to three times deeper than the height of the bulb
- In hardy regions, choose a planting depth of 25 to 30 cm
In clayey, firm soil, the planting depth should be 10-15 cm. Otherwise, the tulip will spend too much energy in spring to reach the surface and enchant us with its beauty.
Winter protection is recommended here
In pots and balcony boxes, the vessel walls and the small substrate volume do not provide sufficient protection from freezing frost. Moving to frost-free winter quarters is not an option for tulips, as the flowers do not sprout in spring without the stimulus of cold. This is how your tulips on the balcony get through the cold season:
- Cover planters before the first frost with several layers of jute (€24.00 on Amazon), fleece or bubble wrap
- Place in front of the protective south wall of the house
- Place a block of wood or a styrofoam plate under it
If your garden is in a region that is regularly hit by harsh winters, we also recommend taking some precautions for tulips in the bed. After planting in autumn, mulch with compost or spread a thick layer of leaves, secured with brushwood.
Tip
Tulips benefit little from their winter hardiness if they lack the strength to sprout in spring. So that tulip bulbs can build up an energy reserve after flowering, only cut off the foliage when the leaves have completely died. Until then, all remaining nutrients will be relocated to the interior of the flower bulb.
