Journey North International Plant Study Spring 2008

Tulip Test Gardens

Update: March 6, 2008

Today's Report Includes:

Data, Maps, and Highlights >>
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Try This: A Quick Map Study >>
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Journal Question:
Where is Your Garden? >>
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Links: This Week's Tulip Garden Resources >>

What have you learned about tulip gardens and springtime? Create a portfolio! >>

Data, Maps, and Highlights: Signs of Spring

" The mountains of snow finally melted away and we were able to spot a wonderful sign of spring. Our tulips have emerged and we are very excited!" Grand Rapids, MI 03/01/08

"Our tulips emerged today and the temperature reached 62 degrees F. Buds are beginning on tree branches and we saw the first robin this week as well." Avondale, PA 03/03/08

More than 25% of the gardens planted are now emerging. Are you seeing and feeling the first signs of spring? Snow and cold weather still blanket parts of the continent, but lengthening days are bringing hints of spring everywhere. This week we will examine and compare maps from past years. How does this spring match up?


This Week's Map >>	Across the ocean in Europe >>	This Week's Map Question Handout >>
This Week's Map >> Data (for your map) >> Handout: Making Sense of Tulip Garden Maps >>

Try This: A Quick Map Study

Study today’s tulip garden map. Where are all the emerging tulip gardens? Now print the map showing average temperatures recorded last week.
Roughly sketch the emerging garden locations onto the temperature map. What do you see? Do the emerging gardens follow any pattern? How would you explain this phenomenon?
Use your journal for recording your observations. Then answer this:

“Did the pattern of emerging gardens follow a pattern in the temperature map? Describe your observations?”

Average Temperatures Across the US, Feb. 24-Mar. 1, 2008

(Click to print full-sized map.)

Journal Question: Where is Your Garden?

Imagine you had to describe your garden site to someone else. What clues would you give them? Make a list of things that describe where your garden is. Think big and small.

What hemisphere is my garden in?
What geographic feature is near my garden (mountains, bodies of water)?
What is the climate?
What industry is nearby?
What country, state and town is my garden in?
What is my Global Address (latitude and longitude)?

Write your clues in your Tulip Garden Journal >>

Resources: This Week's Tulip Garden Resources

Questioning: Making Sense of Unusual Findings >>
Global Garden Partners: How do We Compare? >>
Tulip Garden Journals (click-and-print) >>

More Journey North Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

The Next Tulip Garden Update Will Be Posted on March 13, 2008