Daffodils ... can I dig 'em up?

[Soilsniffer]

When I moved here three years ago, I found a number of growing daffodils scattered haphazardly around the property. I'd like to dig them up and re-plant them elsewhere.

Is there a bad time to dig daffodil bulbs?

If I dig 'em up right now, do I have to re-plant immediately, or can the bulbs be stored til, say, fall or early next spring?

Thx
Jay

[lavandula girl]

Has the foliage died back already? If the foliage is dead, the bulbs can be dug and stored, or dug and moved if you know exactly where you want them. Don't pull them before the plants die back, though, because the green leaves are providing stored energy to the bulb.

[Soilsniffer]

Thank you, miss Lava, I will wait til the leaves die back.

Jay

[Granny]

Also note, soilsniffer, that you need to plant daffodils in the fall - early spring is too late. There is also an optimum time - they need some coldish weather. I would take a peek at one of the websites that sells daffodil bulbs to find out when they ship to my area. That would be the optimal planting time.

If you decide to leave the bulbs in the ground until time to plant, then you might want to mark the locations in some way (popsicle sticks, maybe?) so you can find them after the foliage dies.

[remy]

Hi Jay,
I've dug and replanted daffodils when the foliage is almost done like about 8 weeks after bloom. I've done this a few times because I can't find them in the fall! It doesn't harm them.
Remy

[Granny]

remy, it is possible to dig them and then replant immediately in more northern areas of the country. In hotter places it is often best to dig them and store them someplace dark but very airy until the weather cools off a bit.

[remy]

Thanks Granny I often forget what works here doesn't work so well down south.
Remy

[Soilsniffer]

Thanks for the info everyone, readed and heeded.

I found what looks like a big ol' seedpod coming out of one daffodil bunch the other day. Do daffodils do that? If so, are the seeds inside viable?

J