When selecting bulbs, avoid those with mold or mechanical damage. Bulbs can be purchased from bulb catalogs, open bins, and convenience prepacks. When selecting from an open bin, purchase bulbs that look like the others in that bin, because sometimes bulbs are inadvertently mixed up. Bulbs can be planted until late October, but plant early in September for best establishment.
Plant bulbs deeper than seed, usually three to four times the diameter of the bulb.
Bulbs prefer a sandy or clay loam soil, but be sure to plant them two inches deeper in sandy soil. Hybrid tulips that fail to bloom as a result of overcrowding should be divided. Bulbs can be dug and divided at two times of the year. The first is after the leaves have withered in late spring. Dig bulbs with a spading fork and spread them out to dry for several days.