Forcing Spring Bulbs: Top 10 Bulbs to Use

Forcing Spring Bulbs

I, without a doubt, have spring fever.

Really bad.

I might even go out on a limb and say that it’s been really, really, realllyyyyyy bad for awhile now.

In fact, I would venture to say that I had spring fever beginning in … oh, I don’t know. Say, mid-January?

I know, I know. You’re probably thinking to yourself that it’s absolutely impossible for me to be sick of winter already, and how in the world can I be sick of it when I’m living in North Carolina and we barely have a winter as it is?

Am I right? Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge.

It’s ok. Every one that meets me and finds out that I was born and raised in Indiana wonders how I survived 20 years of my life in that freezing tundra.

Well, I’ll tell you how:

I wore about a hundred pairs of socks because my feet felt like they were always frostbitten.
I rarely showered because (duh) I would get cold. P.S. I know that I wasn’t alone on this one!
I drank a lot of hot cocoa–ok, ok. This is a lie, but it sure sounds amazing!
I slept with 10 blankets on my bed (not joking) you can ask my mother if you don’t believe me. Scouts honor.
I had a permanent seat in front of the wood burning stove. I’m sure my dad could even show you the exact spot that I wore out the carpet 😉

With all that being said, you know how I get over my winter blues?

I add a lot of greenery around the house (and now also in the shop!)

Last year if you remember I tried my hand at forcing gladiolus bulbs for the first time, and was pleasantly surprised with the results!

However, I never did get those babies to bloom. I do believe that I waited too long to get them into the ground. So, this year I wanted to check out (from the experts!) what I need to do. So, check out these top 10 bulbs that you should use and some fun info to go along with them!

This post does include some affiliate links, but they are for your convenience. I promise! Please click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Tulips: 12-16 weeks chilling/2-3 weeks to bloom after being chilled (I highly recommend purchasing these Pre-chilled Pink Tulips if you’re having a hard time finding tulip bulbs in your area. Mine started growing in just a few days!)
Daffodils: 15-17 weeks chilling/2-3 weeks to bloom after being chilled
Crocus: 15 weeks chilling/2-3 weeks to bloom after being chilled
Grape Hyacinth (Muscari): 13-15 weeks chilling/2-3 weeks to bloom after being chilled
Iris: 12+ weeks chilling/2-3 weeks to bloom after being chilled
Snowdrop: 12-15 weeks chilling/2-3 weeks to bloom after being chilled
Hyacinth: 12-15 weeks chilling/2-3 weeks to bloom after being chilled
Amaryllis: no chill bulbs/blooms can vary (read label!)
Paperwhites: no chill bulbs/3-5 weeks to bloom
Purple Shamrock: no chill bulbs/8 weeks to bloom