What is what to do with daffodils when finished flowering?

After your daffodils have finished flowering, here's what you should do to care for them:

• Leave the foliage: Resist the urge to cut back the leaves immediately. Daffodils need their leaves to gather energy from the sun and store it in the bulb for next year's blooms. Allow the leaves to die back naturally; this usually takes about 6-8 weeks. The leaves will turn yellow and brown.
• Fertilize (optional): You can apply a balanced fertilizer after flowering to help the bulbs replenish their energy stores. A fertilizer low in nitrogen and higher in phosphorus and potassium is ideal.
• Deadhead: Remove the spent flower heads after the blooms fade. This prevents the plant from wasting energy on seed production. Carefully cut the stem just below the flower head. This is called <ins>deadheading</ins>.
• Cutting back the foliage: Once the foliage has completely yellowed and died back, you can cut it off at ground level. Avoid cutting it sooner as it will weaken the <ins>daffodil%20bulbs</ins>.
• Lifting and dividing (optional): If your daffodils are becoming overcrowded or flowering less profusely, you can lift and divide the bulbs in the late summer or early autumn. Dig up the bulbs, gently separate them, and replant them at the appropriate depth and spacing. <ins>Dividing%20daffodils</ins> helps to rejuvenate the planting.
• Watering: During the growing season, ensure the soil remains moderately moist, but not waterlogged. Once the foliage dies back, you can reduce watering.
• Mulching (optional): Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect the bulbs during winter. <ins>Mulching%20plants</ins> can be very beneficial.