I loved staying with my grandparents when I was young. They retired up to Dunnellon and had a little house just across the street from the Rainbow River. We’d fish in the mornings, tube the river on hot, sunny days, and enjoy a relaxed pace of life away from school and siblings.

My grandparents had what are typical retired-people-in-the-80s habits. Coffee at 5 am. Caffeine-free Diet Pepsi as the afternoon drink of choice. And they always had the Weather Channel on. Always. We’d arrive and say “hi” at the front door, and there in the background was the Weather Channel. It might get changed for the evening news or to let me watch a show or two on Nickelodeon, but when those moments were over, it was back on.

Partly because I’m sure I take after them, but more likely because I own a garden center, I’m always checking the weather as well. Obsessively. Especially at this time of the year. Without a doubt, weather is a huge factor for a garden center. And for the last week, I’ve been watching the 10-day forecast and the fluctuating weekend rain chances. Every time I see the possibility of rain, all I hear in my head is my grandmother in her raspy voice saying, “Looks like it might rain, Bill.” I don’t know if she actually ever said that, but in my head I can see my grandparents sitting in their recliners, with Grandma saying that to Grandpa.

Well, right now, it looks like it might rain this weekend. And that’s OK, we need the rain. But like the US Post Office, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” Actually, if it snowed here, we’d definitely take a snow day. But a little rain and wind we can take. So even though it might rain this weekend, it is still Spring Fling at Kerby’s. A little cloud cover is a gardener’s friend! See our schedule of events below, and if needed, we’ll move the seminars into our greenhouse rather than having them outside under the oak tree. And whatever Mother Nature brings, we’ll kick off the spring season, daylight savings time, and spring break for the kids with fun in the garden!