Daffodils, botanically known as Narcissus, are perennial bulbs that multiply over time, forming large clumps that can eventually become overcrowded. This natural multiplication, or a necessary redesign of a garden bed, often leads gardeners to consider relocating these plants. Transplanting the bulbs is a practical way to revitalize the display and spread the color to new areas of the landscape.
Understanding the Best Time for Moving Daffodils
The most favorable time to move daffodil bulbs is during their dormant period in late summer or early fall, which allows them to establish new roots before winter. However, a spring move is sometimes necessary. Transplanting while the plant has active green foliage, called “moving in the green,” is less optimal because the bulb is actively storing energy for next year’s bloom. Photosynthesis, where the leaves convert sunlight into carbohydrates, is how the bulb prepares for future flowering. Interrupting this energy-storage phase can negatively impact the size and number of blooms the following spring. Moving them in spring is possible immediately after the flowers fade but while the leaves are still green, especially if the alternative is losing the bulbs entirely due to construction or immediate redesign.
Step-by-Step Guide to Spring Transplanting
Before lifting the bulbs, prepare the new planting location by ensuring the soil is well-draining and receives at least partial sunlight. Digging up the bulbs while the foliage is still attached is beneficial because the green leaves act as markers, making it easier to locate the entire clump.
To avoid damaging the bulbs, insert a garden fork or spade several inches away from the visible clump of leaves. Carefully work around the cluster, pressing down on the tool’s handle to gently loosen and lift the whole soil mass containing the bulbs. Once lifted, gently shake off the excess soil to expose the individual bulbs and roots.
Daffodil bulbs typically form a tight cluster of offsets, or daughter bulbs. Divide these overcrowded clumps by gently twisting or pulling the bulbs apart to separate the natural divisions. Discard any bulbs that feel soft, mushy, or show signs of disease.
The new planting depth is important for successful flowering. Each bulb should be replanted immediately at a depth approximately three times its height, which usually translates to about five to six inches deep for most common varieties. Place the bulbs with the pointed end facing upward and space them about three times their width apart to allow room for future multiplication. Cover the bulbs with soil and gently firm the area to eliminate air pockets.
Ensuring Survival: Post-Transplant Care
The most immediate step after replanting is to provide a deep, thorough watering to help settle the soil around the relocated bulbs. This initial soaking helps reduce transplant shock and encourages damaged roots to re-establish contact with the surrounding soil. Adequate moisture is important for spring-moved bulbs, which are still in their active growth phase.
Leave the green foliage completely intact until it naturally withers and turns yellow or brown. The leaves are the plant’s primary food factory; cutting them off prematurely prevents the bulb from completing the energy storage cycle required to form next year’s flower bud. This process typically takes about six to eight weeks after the bloom fades.
While the bulb is actively growing, avoid applying high-nitrogen fertilizers, which encourage leaf growth at the expense of bulb development. If fertilization is necessary, apply it in the fall when root growth is most active, using a slow-release fertilizer with lower nitrogen content. Allowing the leaves to die back naturally is the most important factor for ensuring the transplanted daffodils return with healthy blooms the following spring.