Tulips do not like overly rich soil. May. Cut the tulip stems when the first petals begin to drop off. Do not let fallen petals stay in the bed, this keeps the garden clean and prevents blight. Nonflowering single leaf shoots are stragglers from weak old bulbs and may be removed. Digging Bulbs - You can dig bulbs or leave them in the ground for 2 to 3 years.
Bulbs remaining in the ground produce smaller flowers next year.
In either case, plant annuals among the tulip foliage while waiting for the plants to die back. Do not cut back the tulip leaves. Allow the foliage to die down so the nutrients from the leaves can replenish the bulb. If you can twist the stem cleanly out of the bulb, the plant is dry enough to dig. Cleaning and Storing Bulbs - After digging, clean the bulbs to remove old skin, roots and dirt.