Force Bulbs Now for Late-Winter Cheer
December is your last chance to encourage spring bulbs to bloom during the late winter gloom of February and March. Paper Whites, Daffodils, Amaryllis, Iris, Tulips, Hyacinth, and Crocus can produce enticing fragrances and colors during these otherwise bleak winter conditions.
Forcing is the process of “tricking” bulbs into sprouting and blooming under artificially imposed conditions. There are often cultivars available for purchase that are specifically bred for forcing. Bulbs can be planted in commercial potting soil. Make sure there are at least 2” of soil beneath the bulbs to allow for root growth, in a pot with adequate drainage holes. With this technique, bulbs may be planted very close together for an aesthetically pleasing product. A 6” diameter pot can hold 3 large bulbs (hyacinth), 5-6 medium bulbs (tulips or daffodils), or up to 15 small bulbs (crocus).
With the exception of paperwhites, most spring blooming bulbs must be subjected to a minimum of twelve weeks of cold temperatures, anywhere from 35-50°F, to prepare them for growth. This can be achieved by placing the pot in an unheated garage, crawl space, or refrigerator. After this cold period, the pot can be moved to a cool, sunny location, preferably between 50-60°F as the shoots and leaves begin to emerge. After one week, it can be moved to a warmer location out of direct sunlight. At this point in the process, the bulbs should bloom in three to four weeks.
Native Plant: Witch Hazel
Native witch hazel is a good choice for a Connecticut landscape plant. A small tree or multi- trunked shrub, its spiky, yellow flowers are the last native blooms to appear in New England. Often, late active insects like flies, honeybees and bumblebees are found visiting its flowers as other pollen and nectar sources are no longer available.
Upcoming Events and Things to Do
- Find holiday gifts at local craft fairs!
- Take a holiday train ride at the Essex Steam Train, the CT Trolley Museum or the Railroad Museum of New England
Educational Opportunities & Workshops
- 126th Annual National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count - Statewide, Multiple Dates
- 2026 UConn Extension Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers' Conference - January 8th, 2026, Storrs CT
- Attend a UConn Master Gardener Course! (Various dates and various locations)
Join Us at Upcoming Talks
December 13, 2025 - 2:00 PM
Hosted by the Mary Cheney Public Library
586 Main Street
Manchester, CT 06040
December Gardening Tips
- Holiday plants, including amaryllis, mistletoe, and yew are toxic and should be kept away from children and pets. Contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 immediately if you suspect a problem.
- Be sure to keep poinsettia away from heat sources, drafts, and cold air. Keep soil consistently moist, but not soggy. Poinsettia that dry out droop dramatically and drop their flowers. Try something a bit more unusual like a cyclamen or kalanchoe for holiday plants.
- Decorative foil around the roots of holiday plants can hold water and drown them. Either remove it when you water, or poke drainage holes in the foil and use a saucer
Consider protecting vulnerable plants from heavy snow sliding from the roof (see image)
- Build a physical barrier of mesh galvanized steel hardware cloth (1/4 to 1/2 inch) around the base of vulnerable trees to prevent voles from feeding
- Harvest any leeks and root vegetables such as carrots and parsnips that are still in the garden
- Check produce that you have in storage. Sort out any that show signs of disease and dispose of them
- Do not use fertilizer to melt ice. This creates nitrogen runoff issues that could damage local bodies of water
- Tap the evergreen branches gently to remove snow and ice to prevent the branches from breaking
- Store your opened bags of fertilizer in a sealed plastic bag or plastic waterproof container with a snugly fitting lid in a dry location to avoid caking
- If you have a real Christmas tree, recycle it after the holidays are through. Cut off branches and use as insulation over perennials. In spring, chip or shred branches to create mulch or add to the compost pile
