Droopy Daffodils

My daffodils look healthy, but they never produce beautiful blooms. Any suggestions?

—Dorothy Foged, Springfield, Nebraska

Melinda: Like many flowers, daffodils won't bloom if they're over-fertilized, grown in excessive shade or damaged by cold temperatures. You should avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers because they encourage leaf growth and discourage flowering. If excessive shade is the problem, move the bulbs to a sunnier location in fall. And be sure to mulch the bulbs after the ground freezes. This will reduce the risk of early sprouting and any subsequent cold-weather injuries.