Before you lift them, cut the decayed foliage back to about. 3 inches (0. 8 cm) above ground level. Replant the overwintered bulbs in mid to late spring. To find out which zone you live in, go to the national gardening associations website and enter your zip code. This protects them from harsh winter conditions. After flowering has ended, refrain from watering and allow the plant to die back. Discard any that arent healthy. Let the bulbs dry for a few days in a cool, dark location. However, gardeners in colder, wetter climates may prefer to lift their lily bulbs for overwintering in a less harsh environment. If planted in the ground then use a border fork or hand fork to gently lift the whole root structure and bulbs from the ground. · lilies are hardy perennials grown from bulbs and require division and transplanting in the fall for optimal results. Lift your lily bulbs after the first frost. Mid to late spring is usually good time for this. · true lilies don’t need to be lifted in the fall and can stay in the ground. Allow the plant to die back on its own. · once the foliage has died off completely, it’s time to do the actual lifting. North america is split into 11 zones, according to the usda plant hardiness zone map. See full list on wikihow. com Each zone is 10 °f (−12 °c) warmer (or colder) than the one adjacent to it. Rinse the soil from the bulbs and check them for mold or damage. Experts recommend moving lilies in late september or early october, and lily bulbs should be immediately started after being lifted. Wait until all threat of frost has passed and the soil has had a chance to heat up a little before planting the overwintered bulbs outside again. If you live in a colder climate but have lilies growing outside in the garden, consider lifting your bulbs over the winter to give them a better chance of survival. It’s best to do this well ahead of planting the bulbs , if possible. Lilies prefer to grow in well-drained soil in sunny locations, however they will tolerate shade for part of the day. It’s a good idea to incorporate some well-rotted manure or compost into the soil to improve its quality ahead of planting. A fork is a much safer option than trying to use a spade. You can also try leaving them in the ground and providing some additi. Lifting the bulbs and overwintering them indoors is particularly important for tender varieties of lily , such as tender colored callas. Carefully dig out your bulbs. · lillium bulbs often need lifting in the fall. · carefully lift the bulbs and divide them if necessary. The biggest danger here is damaging the bulbs, so be sure to go about the process very carefully. Be sure to dig a much wider hole than to need to avoid damaging the bulb with your spade. Leave your lily bulbs outdoors in milder climates. A rich soil will help the plant produce flowers. Lily bulbs can withstand cold to freezing temperatures. Although lilies tend may seem like rather exotic plants, they are fairly hardy and will survive winters outdoors in many locations (through zones 5-9). Wait until just after the first frost to lift your lily bulbs. Choose a well-drained spot in a sunny position. Avoid cutting the foliage until it has withered away, as this allows the bulbs to store more energy to last throughout the winter months. Lilies will survive outdoors over winter in mild climates that don’t experience much sustained snow, deep freezes or heavy prolonged rainfall in the colder months. They can generally cope outdoors through winter in zones 8 and up.
