I would not try and hold bulbs that should be planted in the fall, until spring if there was any other way.

A GW friend had a similar situation as yours, and she put some soil in an old wheelbarrow, spread the bulbs on top, and then added some more soil on top. I don't know if the wb was old and had drainage or not. You could plant them all in something similar...a big tub, or even a plastic bin, with some bags of topsoil and drainage. They should survive and likely most would bloom in the spring. Then sometime after the foliage has died back pretty well, you could dig them, and store them in a cool place until the soil cools down for fall planting.

Another thing you could do if possible, would be to plant them in the ground now, and them mulch them well, to hopefully keep the ground from freezing until they have had a chance to root themselves in.

Sue

If you want the bulbs to survive, plant them now.
You can purchase topsoil. Place the bulbs on top of the ground outside, then heap about 6" of topsoil over them. The bulb want to grow now, root in now.

You could also put them in a large outdoor container with drainage and use topsoil there, too.

Agreed. They most likely will not make it until spring unless they get a chance to grow roots in soil. Even if you just cover them up all together and plant them out in their permanent locations a month after bloom next spring. You really can't mess too much with their schedules or they will not survive.

Thank you for all your advice. I was going crazy!! trying to determine which way to go....So. I have a large composted pile of manure that I can still get a shovel into. What if I just cleared a spot for them and planted them into the pile?? The pile is pretty "fluffy" yet but the ground is to hard to do any planting.

I think that would be just fine.

Sue

Well Sue, I think that will work. Let you know what happens. I am not sure what color combinations they are, but could trade for some different ones. I know they multiply fiercely.