I will be digging a few hundred tulip bulbs next week and would like to know if once I dig them, can I just plant them right away or is it best to store them until the leaves and stems dry up then plant them in the fall? Every year, the town I live in gives all of its tulips away to residents following our Tulip Festival BUT they must be removed before they have the chance to die back naturally. Typically, I dry all bulbs, stems and leaves over the summer and then plant in the fall but this year, I would like to cheat by diggin & replanting them the same day - allowing them to die back in the ground as intended. Does anyone know if this would work? Is it better to follow my regular procedure?

Michelle