Mary wrote > How are winter-growing bulbs best stored in summer?.... > I have an over-abundant supply of wood shavings.... > There is little chance of any rain here (just dew).... > ...rarely above 85 F. Not too humid nor too dry.... > If left in the ground, is a mulch recommended? > Is it better to leave the dry leaves and stalks on the > surface for insulation or better to clear those away? I think the ideal way to store winter-growing bulbs in containers is to store them undisturbed, in their soil in their containers, where they experience day to night variation in temperature and low average humidity. But, reality occasionally intervenes. In my experience, bulbs surrounded by soil or sand will dry out less than bulbs in wood chips. I would not deliberately unpot my collection to store over summer in wood chips under any circumstances. Bulbs in pots I or the dogs break during springtime gathering in get stored in new containers in soil but not watered until the next season. In your climate you could store containers in a well-ventilated outdoor shed. Keep summer rain off most winter-growing bulbs. You may learn the hard way which ones won't tolerate it and which ones will. Rodent protection will be mandatory. Rodents are ingenious and fit through tiny openings. First-year seedlings have a rough time with the first summer. You might consider not repotting seedlings for 3-4 years and storing them dry in the house, where it's cooler, the first summer. Divide and repot winter-growing bulbs while dormant, as late in the summer as possible so they are disturbed for as little time as possible before the next growing season. Of course, you have to repot when you have time. Repot large, tough bulbs early on and seedlings and small bulbs later in the summer if you are time constrained. If a container breaks during the summmer I will repot right away into soil but not water until fall. In the ground, summer mulch is great for many bulbs. It serves to keep soil temperatures down. But if the mulch retains water it's not a good idea. And some people say some bulbs do better with a hot baking in the summer. I'm not sure it's true but I know some bulbs tolerate this baking and bloom well the following season. Take off the dead top stuff. It serves no purpose and is a mess. But look for seeds before you toss it! Leo Martin Phoenix Arizona USA