You Bet Your Garden

January 14, 2012 — What can you do if your spring bulbs are jumping the gun? Mike McGrath discusses premature sprouting of spring bulbs and how to avoid a common springtime mistake. Plus your fabulous phone calls.

Listen to the mp3

In November I planted iris bulbs and covered the ground with mulch as was directed on the package. It is now the end of December and the irises have sprouted up about 2-3 inches above the mulch. Will this be a problem for the bulbs? I wasn’t sure if a really cold spell would damage the bulbs now that they’re sprouting. I am fairly new to bulbs, but I planted giant alliums last year and they did not begin sprouting until the spring. Get the answer »