When Does Spring Begin?

by Danny Summers

The answer to that question varies by who you ask, where their Garden Center is located, and of course... the weather!

For a technical answer, we can turn to the Old Farmers Almanac, which says the answer is:

"In 2025, the March equinox happens on March 20 at 5:01 A.M. EDT. This falls on a Thursday and is the astronomical beginning of the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere." To read way too much about the Spring Equinox, check out the Old Farmers Almanac details HERE.

For the southern regions, it can start as early as late February, and for those in northern regions, it can be as late as early May. That's a big range of answers you may get. But one thing that is pretty consistent is the bulk of spring business comes in a 12-week period. Whenever it begins, about 12 weeks from that point, you will see the transaction counts slowing.

In the first few days, when you can begin to see Spring just "around the corner," it can be pretty exciting. Even days before that, you will most likely be seeing some of your audience in your Center... arriving with the Cabin Fever look.

Cabin Fever can be a strong motivator for your Center. Here's a more technical description for Cabin Fever from a blog named Ineffable Living (like we really need one):

"Cabin Fever Syndrome is a term used to describe the feelings of restlessness, irritability, and discomfort that arise from being confined indoors for extended periods. Whether caused by inclement weather, quarantine measures, or remote living, this condition can significantly impact mental health and well-being."

Being able to attract your audience into your Center earlier obviously can be very important. The question is... How do you do that?

Early Spring class events can be effective. Here's an idea we first saw being introduced at The Fall Event 2024.

Southern Living Plant Collection and Plant By Number
Everyone at The Fall Event 2024 received a sample program sheet from Plant Development Services Inc. (PDSI) under their Southern Living Plant Collection program. It was designed around a Pollinator Paradise theme. This program offers an opportunity to develop early classes and programs for your audience. Here's a look at both sides of the sample program:

Here's the introduction from page 1 above:

Transform Your Garden Center into a Community Hub
Educate Your Customers on Designing a Flower Garden

• Interactive Learning: Guide your customers through the creation of their own "Pollinator Paradise" or other themed gardens using our easy-to-follow Plant By Number Classes.
• Practical Knowledge: Participants will gain hands-on experience in garden design, plant selection, and placement, empowering them to replicate the designs at home or purchase a Plant By Number Garden Map to ensure success!

Cultivate Loyal Customers

• Winter Interest: Attract more foot traffic during the slower winter months by offering engaging, educational events that keep gardening top-of-mind for your customers.
• Ongoing Engagement: By engaging customers during the winter, you build a strong, loyal customer base that will return to your garden center throughout the year.
• Exclusive Offers: Provide early-bird offers and promotions to class participants, encouraging repeat visits as they prepare for spring planting.

PDSI's program is supported through Southern Living Plant Collection, Sunset Plants and Encore Azaleas. The Garden Center's audience can tailor their design to plants of designated specs to fit each location, and actual plant selections can be based on what the Garden Center will stock.

The Plant By Number program was created by Alex Betz, who understands most consumers do not understand landscape design and especially mature plant spacing.

Q: How many plants are planted too close to the house, structure, or just too close together for each plant to mature properly?

A: A lot!

Alex has created a great option for Garden Centers to engage their audience, educate them on designing areas of their garden, and buy all the plants, when in stock, in the Garden Center.

Plant By Numbers has invested in large format printers that print on weed mat to be used as an installation template. And following installation, the weed mat in in place for covering with mulch.

Alex told me during a recent meeting, "Our Garden Maps are pre-designed landscape layouts printed directly onto durable landscape fabric. Think Paint By Number but for flower beds and fence-line plantings."

You can see all the information on both the PDSI offer as well as all the options in the Plant By Number programs. Simply CLICK HERE to download a PDF.

Your audience will be not-so-patiently waiting for Spring to begin. How you create events and activities to bring them into your Center early will help to kick that Cabin Fever out the door, get them into your Garden Center and thinking about their gardens and your Center and the beautiful plants and products you will have for them.

Spring can begin early in our hearts, imaginations and in your Garden Center!

Danny Summers
[email protected]
Tel: 678-909-7770
Cell: 678-761-7145

REMEMBER: Your interaction (by phone and email) with Group Service Providers such as Tim Quebedeaux, Sid Raisch, John Kennedy, Jean Seawright, and of course Danny Summers are included in your retainer!