Tulip and dahlia guides

Flower season in northwest Washington runs on its own calendar. These guides cover what to do when, from tuber sales in winter to tulip planting in the fall.

March and April When the Skagit tulips bloom, and how to plan your visit When the Skagit Valley tulips actually bloom, how the display gardens differ from the farm fields, and how to beat the traffic during the April tulip festival. January through May How dahlia tuber sales work, and how to get the varieties you want Why popular dahlia tubers sell out in minutes, when small Northwest farms hold their sales, and how to plan your order, pickup, and planting. October and November Planting tulip bulbs in northwest Washington When and how to plant tulip bulbs in the Skagit Valley and northwest Washington: timing, depth, drainage, keeping pests away, and which tulips come back. Late July to first frost Picking dahlias: u-pick tips and getting the longest vase life When dahlia u-pick season runs in northwest Washington, how to choose and cut blooms, and how to make cut dahlias last as long as possible.