Don't assume it's planting time just because bulbs are available in the nursery. The farther south you live on the climate zone map, the later in the year you should plant your bulbs. A bulb-planting tool comes in handy. Master Gardener Paul James, host of HGTV's Gardening by the Yard , explains some of the basics of growing bulbs.
Nurseries often put bulbs on display in late summer, several weeks before it's time to plant.
Check with the staff for the ideal planting time. If you buy before planting time, store bulbs in a cool, dry place. South of Zone 8 you may need to chill bulbs in the vegetable bin of your refrigerator for 12 to 20 weeks to give them sufficient chilling time to perform properly. Or you can purchase prechilled bulbs from nurseries for a slightly higher cost. Late-planted bulbs tend to produce flowers with shorter stems.