Tulip Garden Update: April 11, 1997

February 14	March 14	April 11

* Note: The April 11th map includes data reported through April 7, 1997.

Here's a looooooong list of data recently reported from Journey North gardens:

• Click Here to View Blooming Data
• Click Here to View Emerged Data

Note:
If your garden is not listed properly, be sure to report news from your garden according to these instructions:

How to REPORT:
On the left-hand side of this page you'll see an owl button. Simply press the button and a FIELD DATA FORM will appear. If you have any trouble using this system, send a message to our feedback form We'd be happy to help you!

Ways to Use Garden News
With Mother's Day around the corner, perhaps you could fashion what you've learned into a gift. Many people give flowers on Mother's Day. This year, make a map of spring's journey across North America. Illustrate the wave of spring flowers as an art project.

Try This
1. Find the average date tulips emerged in each state and province.

• Review all the data you have received this spring.
• Record the date tulips emerged at each garden in each state and in each province.
• Now find the average date.

2. Decide upon a color scheme that will show this progression over time. Chose a different color for every 2 week interval. On your map, shade each state/province the proper color. Make a color key to explain the meaning of the colors.

3. Create your final product. Make a Mother's Day card and feature your map on the cover. Or, decorate an envelope that looks like a seed packet. Put the map on the outside and seeds on the inside. Last fall, one Minneapolis school made bulb packets, complete with growing instructions for bulbs. (For example, the recommended date to plant bulbs, proper soil conditions, planting zone, light requirements, etc.)

Discussion Questions:

• As you review the data, do you notice multiple reports arriving suddenly from certain regions? In which area is spring's arrival most dramatic?
• Within what range of dates do tulips emerge in a single state or province?
• As recommended previously , count the days between emerging & blooming of tulips. On average how many days did it take for tulips to bloom after they emerged? What was the range of days required for tulips to grow and bloom?"

Uriah McKinney, Macalester College

Challenge Question # 8
"When do you predict the tulip garden in Utsjoki, Finland will bloom?" (69.90 N, 26.90 W)

(To respond to this Challenge Question please follow the instructions at the end of this report.)

Frozen Flowers?
Last week, an Arctic cold front swept across the continent. How did these cold temperatures affect your tulips? If you have observations you'd like to share, please send them to: jnorth@learner.org

How to Respond to Journey North Tulip Challenge Question # 8

1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-tulip@learner.org
2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question # 8
3. In the body of the message, give your answer to this question:

Challenge Question # 8
"When do you predict the tulip garden in Utsjoki, Finland will bloom?" (69.90 N, 26.90 W)

Don't Forget!
Please include the name of your school and your location so we can credit you properly for your answers.

The Next Tulip Garden Update Will be Posted on April 25, 1997.