How to Store Bulbs Over the Winter

      I love bulb plants.  They have the most beautiful flowers year after year.  We are in a climate that is not life or death for most bulbs, but still you want to protect them for next years bloom.  When the temperatures dip below 28 degrees F and the leaves turn brown it is time to get your bulbs out of the ground.  You can do this earlier in the year before it is so cold out side if you would like.
     The first thing you need to do is dig around the bulbs.  Be careful not to cut the bulb with the shovel.  After you have loosened the soil around the bulb you carefully pull out the whole bulb with the dirt clinging to it.  Leave as much soil attached as possible.  Then they need to be stored in a cool, dry place for about a week to ten days.  If you are using new bulbs that have not been planted be sure to remove any plastic packaging.  The bulb needs to be able to breathe through the winter and the plastic will cause it to sweat and rot.
     
This is a picture of what the bulb should look like after you initially dig it up.
   After they have dried for a week or so you should be able to take the clumps of dirt off.  This will help the roots from shriveling over the winter.  You need to put them in a cardboard box with vermiculite or dried peat moss.  The box needs to be stored in a room that the temperature will not be below 45 degrees F.  Also, the room should not be too warm as this will cause the bulb to sprout during the winter.
This is a way to recycle used egg cartons.  Be sure they are the cardboard kind then fill with dried peat moss or vermiculite.
     You need to store them until the night time temperatures stay above 48 at night.  They do need at least 6-8 weeks of cold in the winter.  Considering we are in a warm climate the best idea is to put them in your refrigerator.  This will provide them with what they will think is "winter".
     Periodically check on the bulbs.  Sometimes they will rot, if this happens they will be squishy.  Throw them away as they will not grow.  With proper maintenance a bulb flower garden will be a great addition to your yard for years to come.
White lilies from bulbs.White Calla Lilies
 Yellow Gladiolus
     With a little time and maintenance you could grow all these and more!http://garden-photos-com.photoshelter.com/gallery/Bulbs-Stock-Photos/G0000z.UeY_7lznU/
This link is a great tool to help you visualize what you might want to plant.  Now is a great time to purchase your bulbs for next spring blooms.  I hope this was helpful and that you might start a bulb garden soon.
Sherry