Can I Store My Tulip Bulbs Next To My Vegetables?

Q: I know that spring bulbs have to be chilled in the soil or in the refrigerator for several weeks before planting. I know that if I chill them in my fridge I should keep apples, pears, and other fruits out. But what about vegetables? Do any of them cause tulip flowers to be small? 

A: Good thinking! Besides the fruits you’ve listed, tomatoes, avocados, and peppers can release enough ethylene gas to affect tulip blooms. But honestly, we have plenty of chilling hours outdoors each winter in north Georgia. There is no need to chill bulbs if they are planted in mid-October.

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