02/10/2024
Why are my spring bulbs coming up early and will the return of cold weather harm them?
The answer is most likely no. Spring bulbs begin to emerge when the temps are above 40 degrees. Early bulb growth is usually little cause for concern. Foliage that comes up early may be damaged by freezing temperatures, but as long as the flower buds are still beneath the soil, the bulb is still likely to bloom in the spring. The leaves may look a bit tattered in the spring, but the flowers will distract from them. The usual suspects are daffodils, hyacinths, some early blooming tulip varieties, snowdrops and crocuses. This can also happen when bulbs are planted close to your house, creating a microclimate from house warmth and reflecting sun.
Unfortunately, if flower buds emerge in the winter and normal cold temperatures return, the buds might freeze and fail to bloom. This is unlikely and even if a bulb fails to flower in one season, there is a good chance that it will the following.
Just because bulbs start to grow in the winter does not mean that they will bloom early. The return of cold weather can delay further growth and keep bulbs from flowering until a more appropriate time. A blanket of snow on the ground can halt the growth process as well as protect the emerging foliage from extreme temperatures.
