when and how to dig up and store bulbs

[buddy110]

Hi folks,
I have an oriental lilly garden which I'm thinking of transforming into a small vegetable garden. When do I dig up the bulbs? How should I store them and how long can I store them?

Thanks in advance
Buddy

[rainbowgardener]

Don't dig up the bulbs until the fall, when the foliage has died back (helps to mark where their location is now). The foliage stores energy for the bulb for next year; without that it won't do well next year.

Wrap the roots in just damp (NOT soaking) shredded newspaper or sphagnum moss and put them in a paper bag or onion bag. Store in cool, dry, dark place until spring.

[buddy110]

Spring? I thought these should be planted in fall?

Thanks

[rainbowgardener]

Can be (traditionally were) planted in the fall, but you asked how long you can store them. Until spring is the answer to that question. If planting in spring, it should be early spring, as soon as the ground can be worked.

You don't want to dig them until fall, so in the case of fall planting, you wouldn't be storing them at all, just moving to a new location.

[buddy110]

Thanks.