We have crocuses growing where we want to start a flower garden. Will they come up if we cover them with a few inches of soil and mulch, or should we dig them up and replant them?
—Carl Rakowski, Rensselaer, IN
I don’t know if your crocus will grow through the added soil and mulch, but it’s probably a moot point. In order to establish a new garden, you’ll need to dig in the soil and disturb the crocus corms.
Wait to replant them until they’ve finished blooming and their foliage turns yellow. The leaves will have already contributed to the following year’s growth, yet they’ll still be there to show you where to sink your spade to avoid damaging the corms.