The best time to transplant daffodils is after they have finished flowering and the foliage has died back naturally. Specifically, you should wait until the leaves turn yellow and begin to flop over, indicating the plant has finished storing energy in the bulbs for next year's growth. This usually happens in late spring to early summer, around May to June in many climates. Key points for transplanting daffodils:
- Do not transplant immediately after the flowers fade if the leaves are still green; wait until the foliage yellows and dies back.
- Transplanting too soon can reduce blooming the following year because bulbs need time to store energy.
- The ideal time is early summer after the foliage has mostly turned brown but not completely gone.
- When lifting bulbs, dig carefully around them, separate any clumps, and replant at the same depth.
- You can replant immediately or store the bulbs in a cool, dry place until fall planting.
- If you cut back the leaves, do so only after they are completely brown.
So, generally, the best window to transplant daffodils is early summer, after the foliage has died back naturally but before total dormancy.
