It seems spring has sprung early in Michigan, a largely positive development for residents looking to get out and about. But there’s one question on the minds of many: What about Tulip Time?
According to city officials and local business owners, it’s too early to know for sure. The tulips could bloom early, a la 2012, when Holland celebrated its very own Stem Fest (t-shirts included). But if night temperatures stay cool, it’s possible the flowers will hold out.
Across town — particularly on Eighth Street, where snowmelt has a significant impact — tulips have cracked the surface and started to sprout. Andy Kenyon, parks and recreation director for Holland, says he’s not overly concerned … yet.
“The flowers may be earlier than normal due to the El Nino weather pattern,” Kenyon wrote via email. “Back in 2012 when we had the Stem Fest, we had temps in the 70s and 80s for more than a week in a row. “The nighttime temps are what really drive the tulips (and other bulbs) to grow fast. The warmer nighttime temps, the faster things tend to grow.”
Read more at hollandsentinel.com