Journey North International Plant Study Fall 2008

Update: November 13, 2008

Please Report >>
After You Plant Your Garden

Welcome to the 2008 Journey North Tulip Garden Study!

Photo credit: Susan Carney
Who's Planting? Find out more >>

News: Gardeners Digging In

So far our maps show 227 gardens planted for this big experiment. Students around the globe are planting the bulb that will symbolize the arrival of spring in their local area. Here are some of their planting comments:

It was very fun. We felt like scientists. The ground was hard.- Middletown, OH
Many of our students had never planted anything before. Our kids were actively engaged and excited.- Palatine, IL
We planted 3 micro-climate gardens and some experimental bulbs.- Grand Rapids, MI
We also planted an experimental bulb: we marked it "The I wonder Bulb." Bryn Mawr, PA
I planted tulips in two places this year, 1) in the center of our vegetable garden and 2) on the south side of my house. I want to see how much variation there will be. - Norwich, VT

Which of the gardens will be the earliest to emerge in the spring when the sunlight shines warmer on the Northern Hemisphere? What clues can maps give us to help predict?


map/sightings (North America)	map/sightings (Eurasia)	map/sightings (Asia)
This Week's Map Questions (Handout) >>

Challenge: The Microclimate Garden

Once you plant your "Official" Journey North Garden in the place that BEST matches your general climate you can try a new challenge!

Here's how:
Explore your schoolyard to find microclimates: areas where it might be colder, windier, warmer, or drier than your Official garden spot. Plant a few tulips in each spot. Find out more! >>

Here's the challenge:
Cause 2 tulip bulbs
to bloom
as many days apart
as possible.

Read All About It
The Microclimate Challenge: Exploring Garden Sites
Another downloadable booklet to print or view as a slideshow.

Try This! Gardening Partners

Journey North gardeners are scattered from the Atlantic to the Pacific and beyond. What secrets lie in each location that will signal the arrival of spring there? Learn more with a gardening partner!

After you’ve planted your official garden, choose a "Partner Garden" somewhere else in the northern hemisphere.
As the seasons change, compare weather, climate, geography and other variables. >>

Use this Journal Page >>

Related Journey North Lessons and Links

Global Gardening Partners: How do we Compare? >>
Share: Gardening Stories from This Fall >>
Experiment: Annual Microclimate Challenge: An experimental garden challenge >>
Experiment: Take-home Tulip Garden: Repeating the Experiment >>
Map: Using Journey North maps >>
Journal: Fall Journey North Tulip Garden Journal (Click and Print) >>
Explore: Fall Lessons and Activities >>

Photo credit: Dan Gillard
A tulip garden planted with compost from the school cafeteria scraps and leaves!

More Journey North Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

The Next Tulip Garden Update Will Be Posted on December 11, 2008.