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Step 1
After the bulbs have finished their blooming season, continue to water and fertilize them until the foliage fades completely. This allows the bulbs to store energy for future growth.
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Step 2
If you want to move them before the foliage fades to allow for more room in the garden you can place them in a shallow, open trench in the ground somewhere out of the way until they are ready to be stored. Just place some wire mesh or a screen inside the trench, then the bulbs on top, cover with a light layer of soil, and then water the trench regularly to keep them moist.
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Step 3
After the foliage yellows and dies back, moisten the soil around the plants to loosen the ground, then, use a garden fork to get underneath the bulbs and lift whole clumps out of the ground.
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Step 4
Brush soil from the bulbs and inspect for damage and signs of dry rot or disease. Discard any bad bulbs and store the others in a cardboard tray in a shady airy spot for several days, or until they dry.
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Step 5
When they are dry you may want to treat them with a fungicide to prevent disease and rot, although this is not always necessary. Some bulbs are more susceptible to rotting and diseases than others.
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Step 6
Transfer hardy bulbs to a mesh or paper bag and store them in a safe, cool, dark spot. Leave them until the next planting time, occasionally checking on them to be sure they are undisturbed.
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Step 7
Tender bulbs can also be stored in a tray full of peat moss or vermiculite in a protected area indoors.
