planting tulip bulbs

[cottage country bob]

I am in a zone 5. am transplanting several tulip bulbs. any recommendations as to how deep they s/b planted and also is early September a good time to do this

[DonnaZn2SK]

Generally six inches deep, or three times the height of the bulb. The bag they came in should indicate the proper planting depth. I might be tempted to plant a little deeper in my zone, but not by much.

If you have any problems with squirrels or other varmints, you might want to take some preemptive action by fashioning some cages around the planting area to protect the bulbs from being dug up.

I would plant them in late September, even into October. You don't want the bulb to grow too much before going into a freeze. Maybe someone else thinks differently...whatever you do, don't plant them in single rows...they look really stupid that way.

[B_BQ]

I agree with Donna. Wait until a bit later in the later, and plant them fairly deep in clumps with an odd number, i.e. 3, 5, 7, 9 ... etc. They look better that way.

One thing you should remember with newer varieties of tulips is that they won't necessarily come up year after year like the old varieties did. Some people even plant them as annuals!!!

Me? I've stopped growing tulips because: a) the squirrels like them and b) they just fade away after a year or two.

~BBQ

[hotsummerone]

Is this your rule of thumb?