Keukenhof tulip fields

Actually, apart from a 3 week period, it wasn't that harsh of a winter... Keukenhof is collection of highly managed gardens, not raw bulb fields. During their open season, they continuously replant the flower beds to keep the displays as lively as possible. Just plan to go in mid-April, that's when the blooms usually peak.

So where is the bulb fields location?

George, The majority of bulb fields are actually greenhouses. These being said, you will find major concentration of bulb around Leiden-Hooffdorp, Prumerand-Maarsen, Maasluis-Monster

There is a bulb field directly adjacent to Keukenhof. Realize, though, that the bulbs are harvested before they bloom. Yes, the fields are colorful, but nothing compared to the gardens.

The big flower parade is on April 21st this year (2012). http://www.keukenhof.nl/en/25/flower-parade.html
While we were in Keukenhof, the crowd started heading in one direction and the security officers were all pointing in one direction. We followed the crowd and landed up along the parade route - BONUS!!! Our other Keukenhof story...my watch pin got pulled out and so we lost track of time. We missed the bus going back to the train station to catch the train back to Amsterdam. The taxi ride was 90 Euros (2006). Luckily another couple was in the same predicament and we all happened to be staying on the same canal. So we shared a taxi ride with the couple from Scotland. Fun!!! And we saw them again the next morning getting ready for a day of sightseeing. Oh the precious moments of travel.

@Cathy: you should have taken a taxi just to Leiden or Hooffdorp, from where you could have easily caught a train :)