Lifting daffodil bulbs involves carefully removing them from the ground after the foliage has died back, typically in late spring or early summer. Here's a step-by-step guide:
1. Timing is Key:
- Wait until the daffodil foliage has completely turned yellow and died back. This allows the bulbs to replenish their energy stores for the next blooming season. Premature lifting weakens the bulbs.
2. Prepare the Area:
- Water the area around the daffodils a day or two before lifting. This will soften the soil and make it easier to dig without damaging the bulbs.
3. Carefully Excavate:
- Use a garden fork (rather than a spade, which can slice bulbs) to gently loosen the soil around the daffodil bulbs. Insert the fork a few inches away from the plant's base to avoid direct contact with the bulbs.
- Lift the clump of soil and carefully remove the daffodil bulbs.
4. Cleaning and Inspection:
- Brush off any excess soil from the bulbs.
- Inspect each bulb for signs of disease, rot, or damage. Discard any unhealthy bulbs.
5. Separating Offsets (Optional):
- Daffodils multiply by producing offsets, or bulblets, attached to the main bulb. These can be carefully separated to increase your daffodil population.
- Gently twist or pull the offsets away from the mother bulb. Be careful not to damage either the mother bulb or the offset. If they don't easily separate, leave them attached.
6. Curing and Storing (If Not Replanting Immediately):
- Allow the bulbs to dry in a well-ventilated, shaded area for a week or two. This curing process helps prevent rot.
- Store the dried bulbs in a cool, dry, and dark place until planting time in the fall (September-November). A mesh bag or cardboard box filled with peat moss or vermiculite is suitable.
Why Lift Daffodil Bulbs?
- Overcrowding: Lifting and dividing prevents overcrowding, which can reduce flowering.
- To Move Them: You might want to relocate your daffodils to a different part of the garden.
- To Control Disease: Inspecting bulbs allows you to remove diseased ones, preventing spread.
Important Considerations:
- Handle the bulbs with care to avoid bruising or damaging them.
- Label the bulbs if you have different varieties.
- If you are replanting the bulbs immediately in the same location, amend the soil with compost or other organic matter to improve drainage and fertility.
- Plant at a depth of roughly three times the bulb's height.
