When to Grow Tulips: [Temperature and Hemisphere]

Tulips are probably the favorite bulbs of gardening enthusiasts, and as long as we have the right knowledge, we can grow them at home without any problem.

The tulip is a wonderful flower. Although it is not entirely easy to grow.

In this article we will see what is the right time to plant tulips in your garden or orchard, also depending on the hemisphere in which you are.

Complete guide on how to plant tulpans.

When should we plant tulips in our garden?

Most tulips require at least 12 to 14 weeks of «cool season» to develop beautiful blooms. This makes it difficult for tulips to grow in a hot tropical climate.

Tulips usually form naturally during cold weather, meaning the ground temperature drops below 60 degrees.

On the other hand, in hot weather, the temperature of the ground does not drop enough, that is, below 60 degrees, the bulbs can be fooled into thinking that they have experienced a cold winter underground.

This is another option when it comes to planting tulips. Tulips like to plant them in cool soil (28-50 degrees) to help them take root.

Plant tulips in the Northern Hemisphere

In the northern hemisphere, tulip planting is from September to January, with the middle month of autumn being the most common.

We must remember that tulips can be planted with a universal substrate, and should be buried in pots 8 cm deep or directly underground. Between each tulip bulb, we will maintain a distance of 15 to 20 cm.

Finally, we must remember that for our tulips to bloom between April and May, they need to be placed in a sunny spot. After planting tulip bulbs, we must check the soil regularly and keep it moist.

Grow tulips in the Southern Hemisphere

Finally, we must remember that for our tulips to bloom between April and May, they need to be placed in a sunny spot. After planting tulip bulbs, we must check the soil regularly and keep it moist.

Beware of this: the bulbs must be cold to avoid dormancy. Buying locally grown bulbs is also recommended, as imported bulbs may require additional cycles to fully bloom.

It takes 4 to 6 weeks for the roots to grow sufficiently, and once they take root, they can prepare for the spring heat.

In areas where the soil temperature is no lower than 60 degrees, you can use a refrigerator or cold room (40 to 50 degrees) to help the roots grow healthy.

On the contrary, if you don’t have a cold room, I suggest you plant tulips in pots and put them in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 weeks.

I suggest you plant tulips in partial or full shade. The depth of the bulb should always be 6 to 8 inches and two inches of soil should be spread to help retain moisture and keep the bulb cool.

Tulips are also good in midday sun and under deciduous trees. In a hot climate, if the flowers are shaded from the afternoon sun, they will live longer.