Do I cut back bulbs

by Gina
(Albuquerque, New Mexico)

I have a garden in NW Albuquerque, New Mexico..and had beautiful bulbs this past spring/summer. They are mostly lilies and some look kind of like gladiolas..I forget what I planted. This is the first NM garden and first bulbs I have ever planted. To complicate matters..I need to leave for North Carolina. So I either have to cut them back tomorrow or leave them as they are. Should they be watered by my daughter during their dormant phase?? How often if yes?

Doug says the lilies will be fine but if/when your soils freeze, those glads are likely toast. Some may get through if the weather isn't too bad this winter but mostly when you live in an area where the soils freeze, they're considered annuals and have to be dug in the fall. You shouldn't have to water the lilies and they'll be fine if you don't prune them back. I wouldn't make a habit of it from the garden health point of view but they don't get cut back in nature and they keep on growing fine. :-)