On Saturday, I had a wonderful visit to Wicked Tulips in Preston. I want to thank Janet Casey and Nancy Anderton for their time, insight, and attention! Wicked Tulips operate three different farms: one in Preston, CT, and the other two in Exeter, RI, and Johnston, RI. Each farm has a different peak bloom season: Exeter blooms earlier in April, Preston around late April to early May, and Johnston later in May.

Planting typically begins in November, with the owner traveling to the Netherlands each year to select bulbs, which are then shipped to the US and planted at their farms. Each year, the tulips are planted in a different location on the property to prevent the spread of a specific fungus associated with tulips that could damage the remaining plants if they were confined to one spot.

Once tulips are picked, the best practice is to cut the stems a few inches and then leave them in ice water for a few hours. If you intend to preserve and gift the tulips, let them sit in ice water overnight. The water for tulips should be changed every three days, and you should add an ice cube each time you change the water.

But don’t take it from me, I encourage you to head out there and experience it all for yourself next Spring! Unfortunately, we were notified that the locations are now shut down for the season. To stay up to date on the latest, please visit www.wickedtulips.com.