Tulips are Coming Soon!

Believe it or not, the tulips are finally starting to bloom! Growing this crop is a little stressful each year due to all the possible outcomes...short stems, small blooms, no blooms, blooms too early, blooms too late, disease, rot, deer pressure, and the list goes on! However, if you're like me, you are so ready for flowers in the spring, and tulips typically provide some of the first blooms of the season.

Growing tulips as cut flowers is quite different than growing them in the landscape. For example, to have the best chance for large blooms and long stems, special varieties must be purchased (ones that grow well in the South where our winters tend to be milder...except for this year). Also, bulbs must have enough "chill time", be planted in the correct type of soil, at the correct depth, watered regularly if no rain, etc.

Once the tulips begin to bloom, flowers must be harvested when the buds are slightly colored and still mostly closed. Harvesting at this stage gives the best chance for a longer vase life. Also, the entire flower, stem and bulb, are pulled and put in the cooler for up to three or four weeks...until they are needed for bouquets. For flower farmers, tulips are a "one and done" crop. The bulbs can only be used for one year to ensure beautiful, reliable blooms.

Tulip season is so exciting and fun! However, it's a bit hectic as I am out two or three times a day for about two weeks making sure blooms are harvested at the correct stage! Nonetheless, I absolutely love tulips and am excited to offer these amazing spring jewels in bouquets and arrangements very soon through my subscription service, my flower wagon, custom orders, and at a local vendor event. Yay for tulips!

Correct Harvest Stage for Longer Lasting Tulips...just harvested today (3/17/25)