Journey North International Plant Study Spring 2006

Tulip Garden Update: February 3, 2006

Today's Report Includes:

Popping Out in 2006
Predicting the Greening of Spring
HINT: Weather Information Gives Clues for Predictions
Challenge Question #1
Snow: Nature’s Mulch
The BIG Question: One Classroom's Quest, Challenge Question #2
A NEW Printable, Non-fiction Tulip Booklet
Helpful Links

Popping Out in 2006

The 1st signs of leaves are breaking the ground!
Photo: Jo Leland

It’s happening! The first tulips of 2006 have emerged. A flurry of reports is coming in and students are a-buzz with excitement. Many reports tell of rain, rain, rain (TX, CA, WA), or “warm, mild winter weather” (just about everywhere else).
Will weather be the BIG story this spring? How’s YOUR weather?

And the award for the FIRST tulips of the year 2006 goes to...

Now whose do you think will be the first tulips to bloom? Stay tuned...

Predicting the Greening of Spring

Lesson contains Blank Map and
Tulip Prediction Chart

We can explore seasonal change by watching plant growth in our own gardens — and in gardens across the hemisphere.

What kind of patterns will we see as the wave of spring progresses?

Predict where tulips will emerge first to last. Then track the wave of spring as gardeners across the Northern Hemisphere report in.

Predicting the Greening of Spring with Journey North
(Printable map and questions get you thinking like a scientist.)

HINT: Weather Information Gives Clues for Predictions
Study these Journey North tulip maps and the December temperature map. List ideas in your Journey North journal, then submit your answer to Journey North.


Feb. 3, 2006	Average temperatures for December, 2005	Feb. 4, 2005

Challenge Question #1:
“ Based on these maps, what statements can you make about weather and the emerging tulips (advancement of spring) across North America? Explain your thinking.”

To respond to this question, please follow these instructions.

Snow: Nature’s Mulch
Does a cold blanket of snow make much temperature difference for a tulip? What happens if emerging tulips get snowed on?
YOU solve the mystery! Look for clues in these experiments done by Journey North students. Then, this winter, try setting up your own temperature experiment.

How does Snow Affect Bulbs?

What? No snow? If spring is coming too fast in your town you can try placing up to 6” of mulch on your still-frozen tulip bed. Check often for emerging tulips by loosening or removing mulch. Report when you first see any signs of spring!

The BIG Question: One Classroom's Quest

The Koontz Class Garden
(Click to meet the class!)

This year their tulips emerged in Bowie, MD on January 19. They wondered if this was early. Find out about their quest for an answer.

Is Spring Early this Year?

We put this question to YOUR classroom:

Challenge Question #2:
“ How would you know if your tulips emerged earlier than normal? How do scientists answer this question?”

To respond to this question, please follow these instructions.

A NEW Nonfiction Tulip Slide Show

(Print it for your class or view it online!)

A big welcome to Tulip Bulbs: A Survival Tale.

Learn more about the tough little bulb we use as our springtime ambassador. Read all about it!

Tulip Bulbs: A Survival Tale
(Slide Show and Teacher's Guide)

All printable tulip booklets and slide shows.

Helpful Links

* Click and Print a Ready-made Student Journal (Grade level variety available.)
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Making Sense of Journey North Maps (with Student Hand-out)
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Mapping Spring Tulip Garden Data
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Teacher Tips (If you have a teacher tip to share, please let us know)

How to Report to Journey North

Report when YOUR garden emerges!

As soon as YOUR garden emerges, be sure to let us know! In next month's update, we expect to have many garden locations to report to you.

Simply press the "Owl" button to report from your site.Wait 5 minutes then refresh the map page to see your site pop up on the map. (From the same button, you can also "Go to the Sightings Database" and read comments from all gardeners.

The Next Tulip Garden Update Will Be Posted on February 10, 2006.