Winter Storms: Prepare Landscape
Wacky winter weather confuses bulbs
Winters in the south are anything but straight from a textbook. When temperatures hit 70 and hold, landscape plants don' t know they are experiencing a Georgia winter. They think it's spring.
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension horticulturists say early warm temperatures can cause bulbs to sprout early. When temperatures warm in winter, homeowners may see their bulbs, like daffodils, hyacinths and crocus, popping up. The bulbs come up, but UGA experts say they can't withstand a lot of cold.
The best thing homeowners can do for the early-popping bulbs is mulch them using leaves you have around your yard. Mulch will help insulate them from the cold air and the warm air.
Mulch will also help keep the root system an even temperature. That keeps the roots cooler and keeps the sun from heating up the soil. UGA experts say this will also slow down the growth that's coming out too early.