SPRING-LIKE WEATHER BRINGS OUT GARDENERS

Cliff Irwin doesn't grow a garden in order to save money to put fresh vegetables on the dinner table.

"I do it more or less as a hobby," said Irwin. "I like to see things grow, and I get a good feeling knowing that I can step into my garden and pick a ripe tomato or some other vegetable.

"Unless you're a big gardener, you can usually buy vegetables at the market cheaper than you can grow them."

Irwin and his wife, Ruth, a retired school teacher, were among throngs of Cape Girardeau and area people whose green thumbs pointed them in the direction of local garden and garden-supply stores Sunday.

The Irwins were selecting flowers and other greenery at a portable greenhouse set up outside Wolohan's Hardware.

"We were shopping for flowers Sunday," said Erwin, "We want to spruce up a cabin we have at the lake. I haven't started my vegetable garden yet, but we're already planning it."

A near-perfect spring day, and the lure of the good earth was motivation enough for Brad Wilson of Cape Girardeau, who was loading 10 bags of mulch into his vehicle at Wolohan's.

"We're going to improve the appearance of our property," said Wilson. "We have several trees and flower beds, and the mulch will really set them off."

Linda Senciboy of New Hamburg and JoAnn Heisserer of Oran had a box full of flowers, and Shelly Penny was gathering up flowers, concrete blocks and peat moss in preparation for a fragrant backyard retreat.

Penny said she always looked forward to spring and its customary gardening.

"My grandfather has a farm near Oriole," she said. "Every year, he has couple of acres in garden products, and I like to help there especially during harvesting time."

Kevin Scott, a salesman at Wolohan, said he was predictably busy this weekend.

"Actually, we've been busy here the past couple of weeks," said Scott. "But this weekend, we've really been swarmed."

Scott said that a week ago, the firm received 1,000 geraniums at 8 a.m. Saturday. The plants were sold out by 1 p.m.

"We received 1,800 more Saturday," he said. "We only have about 25 left. Spring has arrived."

The geraniums, mulch and peat moss were big sellers throughout the weekend, he said.

"Landscape timbers are also in big demand," he said. "A lot of people are building their own planting boxes."

Trees also were popular, but at least one Wolohan spruce tree won't be sold at least not immediately.

"We'll keep this tree," Scott said, as he parted the branches to reveal a bird nest with four eggs in it.

"These trees came in from Michigan," said Scott. "The bird's nest was there when the tree came in, but it was empty. A sparrow immediately occupied the nest. We'd like to keep it until the eggs are hatched."

Scott said the mother sparrow was in some weeds along the nearby creek bank.

"From time to time, she visits the nest to make sure everything is okay with the eggs. She's keeping her eyes on it."

Gardening has become increasingly popular in the United States since 1917, when Americans started their Victory-Gardens as their contribution to the World War I effort.

President Woodrow Wilson urged Americans to grow their own vegetables in small plots, and have "wheatless and meatless" days. The people cooperated, and rationing was not necessary during the war.

"But, the crops have changed over the years," said Bill Brinkopf, of Sunny Hill Garden Shop.

"You see more tomatoes, peppers, corn and green beans now," he said. "The younger generation just doesn't seem to take to cabbage and brussel sprouts."

There's still plenty of time to plan for a garden, said Brinkopf.

"We're really right in the prime season of putting in vegetables," said Brinkopf. "Most vegetables, especially tomatoes, peppers and corn, like warm weather. People can usually start planting these crops about mid-April and continue through mid-July."

Brinkopf said most people bought tomato, pepper, cabbage and lettuce plants.

"Some buy seeds, but there can be 10 to 15 days difference in harvest time, between seeds and plants," he said. "Tomatoes can run between 56 and 85 days for harvest from planting. But, if you use plants the harvest time should run between 45 and 75 days."

Brinkopf said there are different varieties of most vegetables early, or quick-maturing plants, or the later variety, which take longer to harvest.

If gardeners plan by the seasonal clock, Brinkopf said, they can enjoy fresh vegetables from the early part of the growing season right up to the fall frost.

Seasonal clocks aside, most gardeners endure battles with bugs, cold snaps and hungry squirrels for one simple reason:

"Watching things grow is rewarding."