I got some bulbs late last fall...

Your bulbs have missed out on the opportunity to root underground during the winter, so don’t put them directly into the ground. Pot them in pots immediately, water them heavily, and leave them in the barn. When they start to sprout, bring them indoors, let them bloom, then plant them outside when the weather warms up and the bloom is gone. From there, they’ll continue growing for years. Go luck.