How do you winter over glads in our cold climates?

[dodge]

I grew gladiolas this year , first time.  Now How do I preserver the bulbs to keep over winter. I assume they must be dug up?

Frost could hit our zone 5 , any day.
Thanks

dodge 

[Tina]

The books all say you do need to dig them up. Then store in your basement with everything else you store down there. Just make sure they are dry enough not to rot.

[bestofour]

I've read two different ideas about this.  One said that glads will over winter in zone 6 and up but the other said they are zone 5A and leave them in the ground and they return.

[Tina]

Do you mulch your gardens in winter, Dodge. It could be that you could add a deep mulch and keep things alive.

[dodge]

i never Mulch flowers, the leaves happen to .
But I am zone 5 and these are sooooooooooooo pretty , me hates to see them demise..

thanks all of your for your thoughts. 4ft of snow last winter.

d

[bayou girl]

dodge, the snow over the leaves may provide some of the protection.  i'd lift half and leave half.  or a few or something to try it.  just me.  but i'm lazy like that...

[bestofour]

if I had to dig stuff up I'd never have anything.  I can't remember where I plant most of the flowers until they come up in the spring.

[dodge]

Bayou , I am still pondering my next move on that...........thanks  worth considering.

Sheri, I thought I was the only one who lost their mind over winter. Isnt it awful how we dont know.

I ordered 3 blue Iris an cant wait to see that grow.. Rebloomers..........

Iris I never did much on ..

dodge

[bestofour]

really blue? or a shade that's called blue.  Do you have a picture?  I want one too.

[dodge]

it showed a deep blue color .
Page 27 on Jungs book for fall, dark blud

But dont know if that is the one or not ..Wow are they pretty.
no one is selling Lily bulbs this year , Why??home depot or walmart ?dollar stores?
None

dodge

[duh]

Good Luck with the gladiolus.  I hope they overwinter for you.

[dodge]

Thanks duh,

Cause my dahlia tubers dont keep .

xxxxxxx my fingers an toes

b

[bestofour]

Is this it?  I can't pull of the page numbers but this is beautiful.

- Blueberry Bliss Iris

[dodge]

no

I just looked ..........It is Breakers Iris, the one in the book
Page 27
12606
Breakers Iris...

Hope it is pure blue.. Id love a blue plant

b