The Hardware Man - First Signs of Spring
- Editor
- Feb 28
- 2 min read
Howdy Folks,
The first signs of spring emerged this week at Clintonville Hardware and it wasn’t just because of the sunshine and warmer temperatures. Not saying the weather didn’t help motivate us, but most of the time our calendar drives our schedule. A groundhog can only predict so much, but inevitably, the season will change and so will our merchandise.
Following our great snowstorm and deep freeze, we were decently depleted on heaters and snow shovels. We transferred them to a less obvious space but still hope to sell out before the season ends. In their place we set up some pop-up displays of work gloves and apparel we purchased at our last buying market. I am regularly amazed at the engineering that goes into corrugated packaging. Unfold here, tuck there and bam, you have a full-size cardboard display for your merchandise.
My most anticipated display arrived last week in a small, well-packed box. I was nervous after I placed the order that the requested ship date would be too late. None the less, it finally arrived and we deal with the timing better next year. The Bently Heirloom Vegetable seed display is our promise to you that Spring will be here before we know it.
I have always enjoyed the initial process of planting a garden. It stems from an annual activity we would do as kids at church sponsored by a lively older gentleman that would gather us on in the fellowship room with bags of potting soil, Styrofoam cups and spray bottles. We would carefully fill the cups with soil, tamp it (but not too much!) and poke a small depression with our finger for the seeds to bed into, while learning all the scriptures pertaining to gardening, growing and reaping what we sow. We would scribble the name of the vegetable on a popsicle stick to identify what was supposed to grow and left with instructions on careful watering, sunlight and warmth. In a few short days, the seed would sprout, poke its head above the soil and reach for the sky.
I never succeeded much beyond that original week of diligence. As a child, interest would wain and we’d move on to bikes and basketball, but Mom would continue to nurture them and use them to help establish our garden. Our role at that point was to learn the difference between a vegetable and a weed and eliminate the latter.
This month, through the end of March, we would like to invite you to our store to make your own starter garden. Kids are welcome to do the same planting activity, free of charge. Adults are also welcome for a small charge. Our garden table will be set with everything to successfully introduce a child to the miracle of seeds and gardening. Be warned though, it may affect the child in a severely positive manner.
Daniel Karns and his wife own Clintonville Hardware & Rental along with other businesses. Join the discussion by contacting him at info@clintonvillehardware.com.