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I'm concerned about my spring bulbs, which are now buried under several feet of snow. Will the recent snowfalls have any negative effect on the bulbs?

Even with more than 50,500 spring bulbs planted around the Boston University campus -- including tulips, crocuses, daffodils, and hyacinths -- representatives of BU's Buildings and Grounds and the Physical Plant are not concerned about the ability of the bulbs to make it through the recent snowstorms. "Bulbs are used to this kind of weather," they say. "The only time it's really a problem is if the bulbs push up through the ground and then there's a very late spring storm or frost.

"What will happen in a snowstorm is the bulbs go into their dormancy. The snow actually insulates them. But they can get frost-burned during a cold snap if they've emerged. Then what you'll find is the flowers themselves won't be destroyed, but the leaves, instead of being green, will turn yellow."

However, it's not a good idea to cut this foliage, as bulbs contain only one set of leaves and can't grow more.

When spring bulbs finally do emerge, you can mulch around the foliage to protect it in the event of an upcoming storm. But don't mulch too heavily before a cold snap, or it may encourage even more growth.

"Ask the Bridge" welcomes readers’ questions. E-mail bridge@bu.edu or write to "Ask the Bridge," 10 Lenox Street, Brookline, MA 02446.

16 March 2001
Boston University
Office of University Relations