We’ve all been there. You bought a stunning variety of tulip bulbs with the best of intentions back in October, but life got in the way. Now, the ground is colder, the days are shorter, and those bulbs are still sitting in a brown paper bag in the garage. You might be tempted to toss them on the compost heap, assuming the window is gone. But here is a bit of seasoned gardening advice: it is not too late to plant.

While the traditional gardening advice strictly advocates for planting tulips in November to allow for root development, tulips are surprisingly forgiving. If you get them into the soil right now, they will still perform. The main “consequence” of a late start is usually just a slightly delayed flowering time. Instead of blooming in early April, they might wait until late April or early May—which, frankly, is a lovely way to extend the spring season.

Your planting strategy depends entirely on what you want to achieve in your garden next year. If you are planting varieties that you hope will return year after year, you need to plant them deeply. On the other hand, if you just want a glorious, one-off riot of colour for this coming spring, you can simply pop them an inch or two into the topsoil. They will be perfectly fine for a single, spectacular display.

The bottom line? A tulip in the ground—even a shallow one planted late—is infinitely better than a bulb left to wither in the shed. Grab a trowel and get them in today.