Each year I overwinter/stratify many containers planted with many kinds of bulbs in my attached garage. It works extremely well. My best tips are do not over-water or under-water. The bulbs NEED a very fast soil, but they don't want to dry completely. I find that a small shovel of snow on the containers every month or so is about what they seem to need. Light is unnecessary, after all, they're under the soil in the dark - yes? ;o)

You can bring the containers indoors after Christmas & force them, or move them outdoors when you're sure temps will reliably stay above 25*.

Al

Thanks so much for the information... I appreciate it! I'll definately be doing that this winter.

Yes, thank you, Al... I've been thinking of trying that, myself, with a few pots of bulbs... and now I know it will work just fine!

I planted some Hyacinths last fall, and chilled them in a dorm fridge... it worked out well, but the tiny fridge can only handle a couple of pots, so I was hoping that keeping some in the garage would be a good alternative.

I do this also and bring pots in after Christmas and during the weary days of winter, I have flowers. I love it!

Another method. Tuck packages of bulbs in the back of the fridge until mid December. Then pot them and keep in house to grow on and bloom. Not necessary to plant them all on the same day. Space out the planting times for a longer bloom period.

I know you guys are talking bulbs here but I have two Hydrangeas (still with blooms) that I don't want to lose. Any ideas on over-wintering them. I have an attached garage with minimal light. I guess the trick is not to let them dry out. Newbie needs help. Thanks

Quote:
I have a few ceremic containers that I'm wanting to plant tulips in for spring. I'm afraid if I leave them out all winter, the containers will break from the cold. If I plant the tulips in them and put the containers in the garage for the winter, do you think this would work? The garage is not heated but also gets no light. "unquote"

I think there is some mistaken beliefs here that 747 can plant her tulips into a ceramic container and place them into unheated garage --watered occasionally--and they will be there in the spring, popping up.
No reference by her was made about "forcing".

Is this your wish 747, do you wish to bring the tulips to bloom sometime in January/February. Its already too late to think Christmas. Or is your question about leaving the tulips in the container and then take them to your garden in the spring where they will produce bloom naturally.

You are right about such material as ceramic not holding up freezes. Water in them placed into a garage where it is no warmer than what ambient temperatures are outside, will certainly expand and break the container.
Forced bulbs must be watered. They must attain roots.
A certain amount of no-light is given, but then they are given max light to bring to bloom.
The temperature in the garage at this time is no different than if placed outside the door---its freezing in there.
You cannot force a tulip by placing the container where it will freeze. Temperatures related to "forcing" are in the range 35º - 50º fahrenheit.
You live in a zone 5 and probably last night received some bitter cold temperatures....probably with snow.
Forget about forcing in such temperatures. Your bulbs will certainly freeze..and once frozen are useless.

The amount of time this involves will certainly take your tulips into February...before bloom can be considered.

I have a suggestion. Get them into the ground NOW...today, tomorrow at the latest. Put them at least 6" - 8" deep.
Mulch them and let them attain roots. At that time they will protect themselves---down to 40º below.

In the spring, if your wish is to still have containered tulips, then transfer them at that time.
Make sure your containers have at least 18" of soil under them, make sure the container drains well and let them wither just the same as if they were still in the ground.

Do read further artticles about "forcing tulips",

I think there is some mistaken beliefs here that 747 can plant her tulips into a ceramic container and place them into unheated garage --watered occasionally--and they will be there in the spring, popping up.
No reference by her was made about "forcing".

She has the option. Once plants have sufficiently cold-stratified, they enter quiescence, a period during which they are capable of growth/blooming, but are prevented from doing so by temperatures consistently below 45*. Once we manipulate the temperatures so quiescent bulbs are consistently above 45* by bringing them indoors, we are forcing the bulbs. We also have the option of moving the bulbs outdoors after we are sure they will not freeze and letting mother nature take her course after using the garage to keep soil temperatures above killing lows and below those that initiate growth.

There was no mistaken belief, Jeannie - it's done by millions all around the world (I'm one of them) every winter to bring a little spring indoors (forcing), or for early container displays outdoors.

Al