Plant bulbs in the fall for spring bloom. They need the 8-10+ weeks of cold to go dormant enough to bloom. I would be HAPPY to advise you on choices. I like John Scheepers bulbs.

I bought some potted basil at the fruit market today.

The little tag says keep in a sunny window and that it doesn't like cold, but what if I want to transfer it to my herb garden? Do I do that after the threat of the last freeze? Which is, like, now, I think.

Hee! I'd like stuff that goes season long in waves, spring, summer, fall. My soil is the most evil clay ever, I'll probably need a posthole digger. I've got ivy. But bulbs would be low maintenance, I hope (my next door neighbor doesn't do anything with hers, she didn't plant them. They just come up.)

Obviously not for this year, but next.

Which is, like, now, I think.

Aw, that's sweet. No. We're not out of frost threat yet in the PNW. Certainly not if the last five years I've seen are any indication.

Which is kinda sad because today is just gorgeous.

Also? Are tiger lilies bulbs? Because I LOVE tiger lilies and want some. I tried planting on, but the squirrels ate it before it could get going (and clay is HARD.)

Yes, tiger lilies are bulbs. They are lots cheaper to buy in bulb form instead of planting a blooming pot.

Most bulbs won't like or thrive in hard clay - they need good drainage. If you can dig it up and replace it with soil, or mix 1/2 what you've got and 1/2 composted manure (not at all smelly, available in bags from your big box store) that would make bulbs much happier. The seasonal range of winter hardy bulbs is snowdrop-crocus-daffodil-hyacinth-tulip-lily, ranging from (guessing in your area) Feb/March-July. Look for "species" varieties, daffodils that say they'll naturalize, and "heirlooms" - those will tend to be hardiest. Squirrels like lilies and tulips best. Crocus and daffodils are very nearly foolproof, though they won't live on and on in solid clay (in good soil they'll last for many many years and even multiply).

Hello, I like bulbs. [link]

We're not out of frost threat yet in the PNW. Certainly not if the last five years I've seen are any indication.

Huh. Okay. I was looking yesterday on a chart for the various areas of the PNW and I think for the Seattle area they were indicating late March as the cut off for the freeze dates.

Yeah, according to the USDA hardiness map: Zone 8 Average dates the last frost - 28 February to 30 March Average dates the first frost - 30 October to 30 November

Of course, it may be full of crap for all I know.

If you can dig it up

Ahahahah! Existing bulbs in the hood just keep coming back, with minimal work. Lotta rock in that clay too, maybe that saves it?

Or the drainage is into my basement (front yard does drain, it's elevated: (under the snow) [link]

Huh. Okay. I was looking yesterday on a chart for the various areas of the PNW and I think for the Seattle area they were indicating late March as the cut off for the freeze dates.

Yeah, the charts lure us into believing a lot of things. I thought it never snowed when I moved here. It snowed WHILE I moved in. I mean, just the "one day snow and next day gone" stuff. But there are still the random out of nowhere EVIL freezes in March.

Reminds self to contact flea once I am in the new house. I must plant bulbs. Will hyacinths grow in TX?