Daffodil Digging Time

The first daffodil article for publication that I wrote was on digging daffodils. Digging is still a big event in my routine as I dig my daffodils every two years to thin them and to harvest the bulbs. It's a summer ritual that daffodil growers have been using since daffodils were taken out of the category of weeds and added to the garden in the 16th century.

I dig for two reason, one to keep my daffodils in "show" quality condition by thinning. There are many arguements going on about how often one has to dig their daffodil bulbs. The general rule is that bulbs used for garden purposes only have to be dug when the overcrowding begins to cut the numbers of blooms each spring, or every four or five years. However, the quality of the bloom, for show purposes, begins to lessen after two or three years if the daffodil is a good propogator. The bottom line is that if you show your daffodils, you have to dig more often. I have my show bulbs on a two year rotation, and dig my garden varieties when I get to them with no schedule in mind.

Secondly, the harvested bulbs are good for propogation of new bulb beds, for giving to friends and for taking to bulb exchanges. I have obtain a number of good bulbs from bulb exchanges at the local chapter of the American Daffodil Society. Therefore, I also give many a good bulb away for that same reason, to help others. Yes, I've had a bulb come back as one of the ones that I gave away beat me in a competition. I'm proud of that, my bulbs being winners, that is. So if they can beat me with my own bulbs, go for it. I'd rather give the bulbs to people that will show then to someone who sticks them in the garden and they stay there forever.

Digging Considerations

Digging bulbs should be done correctly to perserve them for fall replanting.

Dig the bulbs using a digging tool of your choice, and that is confortable with your style. I use the garden flat faced digging fork, that will get under the bulbs and lift them out of the ground with brusing them. Be careful to allow a little space between where the foliage is and the bulb so that you will not accidentally split the bulbs with the tool.

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