Are your bulbs bursting? The recent warm spell may just stick around long enough to trick your bulbs–and perhaps a few other plants–into thinking it’s spring.
This is the time of year when we normally expect temperatures to be cold enough to signal the hardening-off period to plants. And until quite recently, we were cold enough to start that process.
Now, as the temperatures have been in the 50s and 60s for a while, some plants may begin to sprout new growth. Several gardeners have noticed that their bulbs have popped up some foliage. We’re used to seeing this happen later in winter during a February warm spell, for example, but this isn’t the first time it has happened in the fall.
Some garden flowers that appeared to be all but dead may experience a bit of renewal during the mild weather. Both my annual and perennial verbena appear to be coming back to life, even to the point of sporting a few blooms. Other gardeners have commented that their mums have begun to perk back up, too.
The longer the mild weather stays around, the more potential there is for damage when the weather returns to normal. Foliage that has popped up will be killed back, but the bulbs and storage roots of other perennials should remain undamaged underground. It is possible that next spring’s display of flowers may be affected, but the plants themselves should be fine.
Once temperatures are consistently below freezing, gardeners may want to apply a winter mulch over the plants. This will help encourage the plants to stay dormant, as well as protect them from severe low temperatures.
Of course, a lot depends on what the weather does following this warm spell. If temperatures plummet rapidly without giving plants a chance to harden off properly, we could be in for more serious damage, especially to trees and shrubs. There isn’t much we can do about the weather but sit back and wait to see what Mother Nature has in store for us this winter!