Spring is just around the corner (if you believe a certain underground rodent)—but that doesn’t mean winter is kaput. Your garden may be warming up, then suddenly get covered under several inches of snow.
Some plants may have already started to sprout, with daffodil “noses” (the tips of the leaves) pushing up through the leaf litter earlier than most. Daffodils are early spring bulbs, so this can be expected. But what is too early for early spring? Is your garden waking up “on time” or unfavorably early? With half the country shifting into a warmer zone after an update to the USDA plant hardiness map, should you be concerned about this?
Seeing daffodil sprouts emerging in the dead of winter can certainly be alarming While daffodils typically start growing in early spring, warmer winter temperatures are increasingly causing these hardy bulbs to wake up early.
Is it normal for daffodils to sprout in January? Should you be concerned about damage from cold weather? This article covers why premature daffodil growth happens, how to protect the plants, and what it means for spring blooms.
Why Daffodils Emerge Early
Daffodils are programmed by nature to start growing in late winter, generally January through March depending on your climate zone. This internal clock prepares them to bloom as some of the earliest spring flowers.
Several factors can cause daffodils to emerge ahead of their natural schedule:
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Warm spells – Periods of unusually warm weather in late fall and winter will hasten growth A week of temperatures above 40°F can trick the bulbs into thinking spring has arrived
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Sun exposure – Hot sun reflecting off buildings, walls, or pavement can warm the soil and accelerate sprouting.
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Hot microclimates – Heat radiating from foundations and walls creates pockets of warmth that wake up bulbs.
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Mild winters – Global climate change is leading to warmer average winter temperatures in many regions, spurring premature growth.
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Deep planting – Bulbs buried more than 8 inches deep stay cooler and are slower to emerge. Shallow planted bulbs wake up faster.
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Excess nitrogen – Heavy fertilization with nitrogen spurs lush foliar growth at the expense of flowers.
Signs of Premature Emergence
How can you identify if your daffodil shoots are appearing earlier than they should? Watch for these clues:
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Leaves emerging in January or February while soil is still frozen or cold.
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Foliage appearing stunted, distorted, or yellowed compared to healthy green leaves.
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Leaf tips withering, turning brown or desiccated from exposure.
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Visible flower buds above ground before late winter.
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Lack of growth or decline in leaves over a period of weeks after initial sprouting.
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Any sprouts emerging more than 4-6 weeks before your average last spring frost date.
Protecting Early Daffodils from Cold Damage
While daffodils can tolerate cold, new growth is vulnerable to damage. Here are tips to safeguard eager bulbs:
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Add insulating mulch – Apply 2-4 inches of bark, leaves, straw or evergreen branches to protect emerging shoots.
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Cover with fabric – Drape horticultural fabric to create a greenhouse-like environment.
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Use cloches or cold frames – Invert cloches or frames over plants to provide insulation.
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Water well – Moist soil retains more warmth than dry ground. Prevent desiccation.
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Avoid early pruning – If leaves sustain minor damage, leave them be until after blooming to nourish the plant.
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Choose hardy varieties – Late blooming daffodils are less likely to appear prematurely than very early varieties.
Will Early Growth Impact Blooms?
Because flower buds remain protected below ground until ready to open, early leaf growth alone won’t necessarily reduce your spring display.
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Mature, vigorous bulbs with good reserves tend to bloom well despite early sprouting or minor leaf damage.
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Smaller or stressed bulbs are more prone to skipping flowering if leaves repeatedly freeze and thaw.
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In zones 6-9, bulbs often recover beautifully from early waking to bloom normally in spring.
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Even if leaves suffer damage, remove them only after blooms fade. The foliage fuels next year’s flowers.
With care to reduce stress, even cropped back daffodils can rally and produce a decent floral show when warmer weather properly arrives.
Discouraging Premature Emergence
To help keep bulbs dormant until ideal sprouting time, follow these tips:
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Plant late blooming daffodil varieties. Early bloomers wake up sooner.
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Mulch beds after fall planting to maintain cool soil temperature.
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Bury bulbs 8-10 inches deep to keep them cooler. But don’t over plant small bulbs.
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Avoid heavy nitrogen fertilization which excessively feeds foliage over flowers.
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Place insulation over beds in fall to prevent soil from freezing and thawing.
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Maintain consistent soil moisture over winter. Erratic watering awakens roots.
Enjoy Your Early Daffodils
While untimely foliage can worry gardeners, take comfort that flower buds safely remain underground. With simple protective measures, emerging leaves can withstand cold snaps and rebound beautifully when spring arrives.
See early daffodil sprouts as a hopeful sign of warmer days ahead. Then relax and let your flowers flourish whenever nature intends them to greet the new growing season.
Will the premature blooming harm the daffodils?
Above: Early bloomers in February. Photograph by
Probably not. Daffodils are very hardy and tend not to be bothered by cold or snow. In most cases, daffodil noses that pop up early won’t be harmed. The flowers are still safe below ground. However, if you do have a cold snap, the leaves may get frost damage. If it snows after the flowers have bloomed, so long as it doesn’t get too cold for too long, the flowers will be fine. If you’re concerned, you can add mulch around the plant, or cover the flowers with a makeshift tent, such as a cardboard box.
Why would daffodils poke up early in January or February?
- Warm weather: Daffodils are triggered to wake up by the length of day (sunlight) and the soil temperature. If the weather is unusually warm in the winter, it may cause your daffodils to start sprouting early. (Daffodils normally start blooming in March.)
- Planting depth: Daffodils should be planted at a depth of two to three times the height of the bulb. If you planted your daffodils at shallower depths, this may be the cause, since the soil warms faster closer to the surface. This makes the flowers think it’s later in the year than it is.
- Mulch: Mulch moderates the soil temperature. No or not enough mulch can allow the soil to warm up too soon, which leads to early blooming.
My Daffodils are Coming Up in January!??
FAQ
What to do if daffodils come up early in winter?
If this happens, your intervention may be necessary in order to protect these buds. Simply find some dry leaves, straw, or even sawdust to cover the sprouting plants and buds. Once the weather begins to warm and the threat of frost is gone, uncover the plants and allow them to continue to grow as normal.
Why are daffodils coming up in January?
Warm weather: Daffodils are triggered to wake up by the length of day (sunlight) and the soil temperature. If the weather is unusually warm in the winter, it may cause your daffodils to start sprouting early.
What to do if bulbs sprout in January?
Just leave them. Keep them watered but not too moist, and as long as they stay cool, the sprouts shouldn’t extend too much. Bulbs will grow roots after planting as well as sprouts, the sprouts shouldn’t get too big until after a couple weeks of cold temperatures have passed.
Why do daffodils come up so early?
Tulips, daffodils and other fall-planted bulbs begin growing almost as soon as they are planted. During late fall and early winter, bulbs are developing their root systems and already starting to sprout. If the weather is unusually warm, these sprouts may rise to the soil surface and show a few inches of green.
When do daffodils come out?
Daffodils typically start to emerge from the ground in early spring, depending on the climate and region. In general, daffodils begin to appear as the soil temperature warms up. The exact timing can vary from year to year, but daffodils typically start to emerge when the soil temperature reaches around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
When do daffodils start growing?
It’s hard not to stress when your daffodils start coming up mid-winter. As weather becomes more unpredictable, early growth is becoming more and more common. Not to worry, though. Your spring bulbs have seen it all before. Moreover, they’re built to handle a few temperature swings.
Will Daffodil bloom in spring?
With some simple care, emerging leaves can withstand cold snaps and rebound in spring. See early daffodil growth as a hopeful harbinger of the warmer days ahead. Let your flowers flourish when they will. With protective measures, your spring bulb display will still shine.
Do daffodils grow in winter?
But even with today’s more erratic winter weather, these hardy and adaptable bulbs are proving to be remarkably resilient. Tulips, daffodils and other fall-planted bulbs begin growing almost as soon as they are planted. During late fall and early winter, bulbs are developing their root systems and already starting to sprout.
When do daffodils start sprouting?
Tulips, daffodils and other fall-planted bulbs begin growing almost as soon as they are planted. During late fall and early winter, bulbs are developing their root systems and already starting to sprout. If the weather is unusually warm, these sprouts may rise to the soil surface and show a few inches of green.
Do daffodils & tulip bulbs come out early?
Gardeners often worry when they see daffodils, tulips and other spring bulbs emerge long before they should. Fortunately, there’s little cause for concern. Spring-blooming bulbs prefer old-fashioned winters, when temperatures drop gradually, stay cold and then slowly warm up as spring approaches.