Should snowdrop bulbs be chilled before planting and if so how?
Yes, they do need chilling, and should actually have been planted in the fall.If the ground is not frozen get them out now.If you can’t plant now just chill them in a bag in the fridge, and get them out as soon as you can.They have plenty of stored energy in the bulb to get out roots and blooms. They do however need to be in the ground well before bloom time.They will start getting roots out in late winter to prepare for upper growth.Remember spring blooming bulbs are planted in the fall, and summer bloomers in the spring!Snowdrops and all the other spring bloomers are chilled in soil in pots in much the same manner,then placed in a greenhouse to get those early pots of blooming bulbs you see in the stores.
