Spring Bulbs

Questions from schools taking part in the Spring Bulbs for Schools Investigation

www.museumwales.ac.uk/scan/bulbs

Woodplumpton Primary School
Q: We heard on the radio that someone had seen crocus bulbs that had begun to grow. They said it was very early and a sign of global warming. We were very interested and talked about how we probably would not have taken any notice if we weren't part of the project. We were also a bit worried because there is no sign of life with our bulbs!

Ans: I'm delighted to hear that you are discussing global warming and linking it to the bulbs you are growing in your school and the reports you hear on the radio. Global warming can seem like something far awar and remote, but by studying our wildlife and flowers carefully we can see that it is happening in our gardens and very relevant to us all. Don't worry about your bulbs, they shouldn't be coming up yet. Thanks Prof. P.

Bishop Childs C.I.W Primary. Q:How are we doing? Ans: You are doing really well Bishop Childs - keep up the good work! Prof P.

Ysgol Bro Cinmeirch. Pawb yn mwynhau! Falch i clywed! Athro'r Ardd.

Stanford in the Vale Primary School
Third week....crazy week of observations...warm,cold, warmer!

Woodplumpton Primary School
Q: We are very surprised at how little rain we are getting and are a bit worried about the bulbs getting enough water. Ans: If the soil becomes very dry please water them. Thanks Prof. P

Sherwood Primary School
We have just had a terrential downpour just before we sent the records - that is why Friday's rain may seem high!

Westwood CP School
Very mild since started recording. It won't be long before the crocuses start pushing through! Ans: They should start to appear in January. Prof. P

Sherwood Primary School
School was shut on Wednesday for the National Strike, so Thursday's rainfall results may be inflated. We planted a few spare daffs and they have begun to shoot! The children are excited! Ans: Wow this is early - many flowers are appearing across the country. Prof P.

Frosty fingers as I cycled into the museum this morning -  finally it is starting to feel like Winter.

Yesterday was the first meteorological day of Winter, but the mild autumn, has left my garden looking a little confused.

This Autumn has been one of the warmest on record since 1910, which could explain why my roses, daisies and trees are flowering in December! See the pics I took on my phone this morning.

The first bit of frost appeared in the garden which will probably freeze my poor confused flowers. Alongside, these flowers I also have other trees displaying a bumber display of Autumn berries.

Do you have any pictures of flowers in December?

After a rather warm few weeks the weather is finally starting to turn cold.

Many schools are reporting colder temperatures and some have even seen frost.

The bulbs I planted last year have started to grow already! They are 4cms tall. I wonder if they will survive if the temperatures get much colder. Please let me know if any of your bulbs have started to grow.

See this blog page from Sherwood Primary School - they have a write-up on their planting day. http://sherwood.primaryblogger.co.uk

See also pictures of planting at Ysgol Clocaenog, outside Ruthin.

Many Thanks

Professor Plant

Already many schools have sent in their weather records! This is just the second week of recording and pupils are busy learning to keep temperature and rainfall records and send in their data.

If you send your data in weekly other schools can look at your data and compare. See the picture to see what the weather reports look like. This was sent in by Bishop Childs CIW School - you can view it on the website by following this link http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/2968

Some schools have also set up their own blogs about the project. See this fantastic blog create by Fulwood and Cadley School: http://www.fulwood-cadley.lancsngfl.ac.uk/index.php?category_id=529

Follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/Professor_Plant

Keep up the good work Bulb Buddies!

Professor Plant

Over the last two weeks young scientists across the UK have planted seven thousand bulbs in order to help us understand climate change!

I've had many reports from teachers saying that their pupils are now really excited to start keeping weather records to help with this important investigation.  

I'd like to wish all the pupils well with their record keeping and can't wait to see the first weather records appear on our web pages this Friday! Please use the following links to help you record. Keeping weather records and What to record.

Don't forget to send me any pictures you have and I will add them to this blog page.

Question for the week: So far, this autumn has been a very warm one. Infact, October was the eighth warmest in the last 100 years!  Do you think November will stay warm or turn cold? Do you think it could snow? What weather would you like to have? Leave your comments below.

Many Thanks

Professor Plant