The Whether Report

In the dry shopping, in the Batestrium!

Whether with an “h.” You see, when it comes to predicting Mother Nature’s latest antics, the word “whether” is nearly synonymous with “weather.” Our forecasts often boil down to “this might happen” or “will this happen?,” which explains my seeming gaffe with the spelling. It may look like I have fumbled my words, but did I?

We’re once again at the mercy of spring’s unpredictable temperament. The calendar may say spring is here, but apparently someone forgot to tell Mom (you know her—Mother Nature). Rain is forecast to be relentless, and when it’s not, it could be frosty conditions. It’s enough to make a nursery owner cuss—though, to be fair, it doesn’t take that much.

Forecasting is a tricky business, and if you believe the so-called “10-day outlook,” I have a few magic beans to sell you. Let’s face it: the first three days are reasonably reliable, while the rest is more like an elaborate guessing game. I can’t help peeking, though—there’s always the tiny hope that tomorrow will be better, warmer, possibly drier. Some might say that’s daft, but if anyone has the determination to wait out unsettled skies, it’s us gardeners.

I’m no aspiring Nostradamus.  My crystal ball remains partly cloudy.  I am in fact, a poor prognosticator: We don’t have to forecast the next downpour; (or how long will a tree live, and its size at maturity?) we simply must deal with these ‘facts’.  The truth is everyone does a bit of ‘spin-doctoring’. In every area of life, speculation is involved.

Every Saturday morning, we’re live at 8 AM (on-demand broadcast available), we answer questions and occasionally ‘speculate and debate’ about gardening…featuring the questions you have submitted to: “Gardening Inside Out”. Listen to our Podcast anytime! Follow and contact us:  Facebook.  YouTube.  Instagram. 

So, fear not, fellow green thumbers. Our inventory is swelling with perennials, annuals, tropicals, and all the information you could possibly dream of. Bring us your garden photos, and we’ll help you navigate Mother Nature’s whims—whether she behaves or not.

David Bates