Date: 02/09/2011

Number: 1

February 9
Tulips are emerging. This is extremely early, by about a month! I hope they don't get nipped by a frost. We have had a roller coaster of a winter - cold snaps alternating with warm spells and very little snow. We usually have a big snow dump in March, but we will see if that happens.

February 16
The weather cooled down to about 15 degrees F and rain turned to snow. A storm came in and dropped about 4 inches of snow that covered the new tulip shoots. I hope they survive. The snow does protect them from the colder air, but I don't know if it is enough.

March 21
Once again, the tulips have emerged...or the snow has melted around them. Now they are a bit green instead of that dark red color. They have been under the snow for five weeks since they first emerged. They are not much taller than they were when it snowed. It will be interesting to see what happens.