Here's what they wrote about their tulip planting project:

"We've followed the same process for all of our tulip gardens for the 4 years we've been participating in Journey North. We plant the bulbs the week after Thanksgiving, and they are in the same location each year. We measure out the holes (depending on the situation, I - the teacher- may pre-dig the holes for a session that moves along more efficiently) and plant in a grid in the bed we use."

"Our tulips emerged earlier this year than the last 3 years. Why?"

Tulip emerge dates:

• 2008: Feb. 28
• 2009: Feb. 24
• 2010: Jan. 14

Here's what we think:
"My best guess is that our tulips have been 'tricked' into emerging. We had a big, cold storm that dropped 18" of snow on Camino in mid-December. The snow stayed around until Christmas vacation, and we had some record low temperatures. That was followed by some mild, warm weather. We are just coming out of that pattern with these cooler, wetter days."

"Here's our garden outside the classroom at Camino Union Elementary."