Practice Lessons and Laughter

April 26, 2017 by Mary Hosier

Fun and hard-learned lessons in the tulip Test Garden.

“We have a scarecrow named Chester in the bed with last year’s bulbs. Students are writing stories about Chester the Scarecrow and their tulips,” wrote Teri Bickmore in Midland, Michigan on April 16th.

This week we celebrate an emerging Test Garden in northern New Brunswick! As we await more news from gardeners in the northern latitudes, we’re having fun and learning a lot about plants and in the garden.

“Ms. Manning was thrilled to see that the pollen is PURPLE! Thanks to the Purple group for helping to write this comment.” Chicago, Illinois on April 17th. 

This is the 10th year students at Nelson Rural School have planted a Journey North garden. How does spring 2017 compare to previous years? Take a look at their data.

Tulip Flowers and Cold Temperatures 

Tulip plants can withstand snow and cold temperatures when their first leaves and flower stalks are begining to grow. Once a plant begins to flower, however, cold temperatures can really do some damage. 

“The temperatures in McDonough, Georgia have been dramatically ping-ponging. Over our break we had unseasonable warm weather immediately followed by cool temperatures. Our tulips had one to two inch buds on them. When we returned to school we found all of the buds dead on the plants.” April 19th. 

“Through snow and ice, they poked through. In a couple of days are now 3-4” high. Snows have just receded.” Smithfield, Maine on April 15th.