Moving snowdrops and daffodils

[ecoprincess]

Hi,

Just bought my first house and it seems the previous owner was quite into gardening himself!

He has lots of beautiful snowdrops and daffodils but they're in a position where I want to make some raised beds fir veggies.

I don't want to get rid of them rather than just move them. Am I able to this? If so, any tips as to how is the best way without damaging them?

Thanks!

[Two_Sheds]

What you are planning to do is the exact way that you increase your stock, so go ahead.

Dig up a clump, split each clump in half or thirds, and replant where you want it.
(after flowering is over).

Leave the leaves on, don't cut them off, or the bulbs can't get enough energy to flower again next year.

[zazen999]

I've just done this myself this morning Eco.

We had some strange bulbs in a raised bed which I popped into a flowerpot until I worked out what they were. They were snowdrops, and now that we are digging out shed loads of soil from the original raised bed to put block paving down [tiring work], they have been tipped out, separated into clumps and replanted for next spring. There's loads of little bulblets under the soil all ready to make new snowdrops next year.

[Bazza]

This is a good time to move snowdrops. They transplant better "in the green", i.e. when they are in leaf rather than when they are dormant.

[Jenegade]

I'm renting at the moment and we might be moving again later this year. So I was wondering whether I can dig up the bulbs of my Daffs and Snowdrops and store them for planting later this year when we've moved?

Thanks for your advice!

[BarleySugar]

When I've moved, and we're on our 6th house now, I've always potted up my snowdrops after they've flowered, then taken the pots with me. Then they go dormant in the soil, and are quite happy until they start into growth again. As TS said, it's important not to cut the leaves off so the bulb can replenish its energy to flower next year. I would think the same would go for daffodils.

[Alice]

Ecoprincess, you can move your snowdrops and daffodils now, but don't cut the greenery off, move that with them, that's what feeds the bulbs for next year.

Jenegade, snowdrops don't do well from dried bulbs. If you want to take your snowdrops with you it is better to lift them into pots with their leaves still on. You don't have to plant them fancy - just lift the clumps in their soil and deposit them in a pot.
You could let your daffodils flower, leave them in the ground until the foliage has died down (this feeds the bulbs for next year) then lift and dry the bulbs to take with you.