Soil Temperature Chart
Record air and soil temperatures in the garden from winter into spring. How do these factors affect plant growth?

After planting your official test garden, explore how soil temperatures could affect plant growth by asking questions, making hypotheses, and planning investigations in which you collect and analyze soil data.

Citizen scientists plant tulip test gardens in places with different climates. Explore climate variables to predict how different conditions will affect where and when tulips emerge and bloom.

Sunny or shady? Wet or dry? Windy or calm? Plants respond to the climate where they are growing. Microclimate refers to the climate conditions of a small, specific place, where conditions may differ from those of the larger surrounding space. Explore conditions that create microclimates. Try the Microclimate Challenge: Plant tulip bulbs in microclimates with contrasting conditions to discover how climate affects plant growth.

Driving Question: What variables might affect how tulips grow?

After planting your official test garden according to planting instructions, explore how different variables might affect plants by asking "What if..." questions. Then try planting an experimental garden.

These resources are recommended to help you get started.