Inspired by Skagit festival? Here are some tips for growing tulips in Whatcom County
The springtime blooms that color the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival each April wouldn’t be possible without careful planting every fall.
If you’re looking to test your green thumb, Western Washington tulip farms sell bulbs and offer gardening advice for people interested in planting tulips at home.
Ground planting tips
▪ Western Washington residents should plant bulbs in late October when ground temperatures are cool. Aim for below 60 degrees and before the first heavy frost.
▪ Plant bulbs six inches deep and 1.5 inches apart in groups of at least ten. Soil should be kept moist.
▪ The area where you plant your bulbs should get at least six hours of sunlight each day and have good drainage.
Container planting tips
▪ Make sure the container has holes in the bottom with about two inches of gravel for drainage.
▪ Fill half the container with new potting soil. Add fertilizer or a bulb booster. Keep it moist.
▪ Plant bulbs about 1.5 inches apart from each other and one inch from the edge of the container to prevent frost damage.
▪ Fill the rest of the container with your soil. Keep it moist.
▪ During periods of cold weather, wrap a plastic sheet, such as a garbage can liner, around the outside of the container without covering the top or bottom.
What to do during/after bloom
▪ Keeping the soil moist will help tulips last longer as they bloom.
▪ Before the petals fall off, cut the flowers from the stem to get more energy to the bulb. Then discard the petals so they don’t create disease after falling into the foliage and soil.
▪ Continue to keep the soil moist over the next three weeks while the stem and foliage dry out.
▪ Discard the stem and foliage once they’ve completely dried out. Pull the bulbs out of the ground and store them in a paper bag in a cool, dry location during the summer.
▪ Repeat the planting process in the fall.
Available tulip bulbs
Tulip Town sells more than 60 varieties of tulip and daffodil bulbs. Purchases will be available for pick up or shipping in time for fall planting.
Pre-orders for Roozengaarde tulip bulbs are available online.
Tulip Valley Farms is selling two bulb mixes in honor of the Idaho stabbing victims who were killed in November of 2022. Ethan’s Smile tulip bulb mix honors former farm worker Ethan Chapin. The Forever Sisters tulip bulb mix is a memorial mix in honor of Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves.
