Replanting Dead Tulips: A Guide?

Tulip bulbs are a classic spring flower that bloom from bulbs, and they should be replanted every two to three years. To ensure a bountiful display, dig up existing tulips and divide them into smaller groups. Replant the bulbs in a sunny area with well-draining soil, water them regularly, and fertilize them. To revive tulips in the soil, only water them if needed, inspect them for pests and diseases, and cut back.

The best time to transplant tulips is typically in the summer after the foliage begins to brown and dies back or in the fall when they are dormant underground. If transplanting tulips in the fall, make sure to cut back the dead. To replant tulips in soil, follow these steps:

1. Choose wisely. The odds of a rebloom are in your favor. Cut the foliage but leave the roots, store the bulbs dry and as cool as possible until early November. Plant them in your garden according to your zone, using a good mix of soil and compost, and be sure to water them thoroughly when first planting them.

2. Remove the bulb from the potting soil completely, cut off the roots near the basal plate, and cut off the stem/leaves. Plant it right away.

3. Plant the bulbs 6″ deep and apart. Add bonemeal at the bottom of the hole to help the bulbs and add it every year to ensure they continue to bloom.

4. Remove the seed heads once the blooms have faded. Allow the foliage to die back naturally. Cut off the greens and leave the bulbs alone to come back next year. Clip off dead blooms, leaving the foliage intact.

5. Dig up the bulbs, store them in paper sacks, and plant them in your new place in September. Tulip season is pretty much over, so it’s safe to start again.