Risky
Weather
Will
Spring Tulips Survive?
—
What Scientists Say —
During warm
spells in mid- or late winter, tulips often poke out —
and even bloom —
weeks ahead of time. Should Journey North gardeners worry? Just how much
cold can tulips stand?
Here's
a hint: These hardy plants developed in cold mountainous regions
in Central Asia. If they didn't have adaptations that let them toughen
up, they wouldn't have survived! They can handle much of what "mother
nature" dishes out . . .
Snow:
Tulips can grow and bloom even if there is still snow on the ground. (Although
they could be crushed by a heavy snowfall.)
Frost:
Frost occurs on clear still nights when the temperature at ground
level drops below 32 degrees. Without clouds to act as a blanket, the
earth loses heat to the atmosphere. When air near the surface cools to
where it can no longer hold water vapor, the vapor can freeze on plant
surfaces.
But because
freezing water releases energy, the temperature doesn't go much below
freezing. Tulips can usually handle these temperatures with no problem.
Freeze:
A freeze is
when cold, Arctic air moves into a region. The air is much colder
than freezing, there is often wind, and the humidity is very low. Some
tulips (and tulip parts) can survive this and others are damaged (by freezing
or drying out). But even a tulip with damaged leaves can go on to bloom,
as long as the bud isn't hurt.
Try
This! Frost or Freeze?
Pay attention to your local weather forecast and temperatures in your
garden. Do conditions sound right for a frost or freeze? Can you predict
when either one might happen? How accurate were your predictions?
Photo
Credits (2 righthand photos): Suzanne DeJohn
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