Last December was the warmest on record in Washington, and the region has had a mild winter so far. Many garden plants already show small buds in February, which is earlier than usual for some gardeners.
A professor at the University of Washington studies the genes that help plants sense seasonal change. He looks at how plants detect signals from the environment and how they decide when to bloom.
He has talked about whether warmer winters could change bloom timing, but the available report does not give firm conclusions or detailed results.
Difficult words
- gene — A unit in plants or animals that controls traits.genes
- seasonal — Relating to different times of the year.
- detect — To notice or find something from outside information.
- bloom — To produce flowers and open petals.
- record — The highest past measurement or official note.
- report — A written or spoken account of facts.
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Discussion questions
- Have you seen garden plants with buds in February where you live?
- Do you worry that warmer winters could change when plants bloom? Why?
- What question would you ask the professor about how plants sense seasons?
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