More people are discovering their green thumbs as the weather starts to feel more like spring.

Len Sorbello, owner and general manager of Wayside Garden Center in Macedon, says "Business is very brisk. It’s really outstanding. People are really into gardening this year, I think because they were cooped up for quite a while.

"Getting outdoors, getting their hands dirty sort of speak, giving back to nature and getting some nice weather has really lifted their spirits."

Adam Gillist, a customer from Fairport adds, "I’m just trying to pick everything up, use the extra time that we have now to do the planting."

Wayside managers believe the warmer weather, relaxed COVID-19 restrictions, and an interest in getting back outside is driving business.

"The activity this year is way more than we’ve experienced ever. I’ve been doing this for almost 50 years and I’ve never seen so much interest and excitement about gardening as there is this year. It’s just off the charts really," Sorbello says.

Sorbello says the garden center has seen a lot of people interested in planting vegetables this year.

"They want to have a feeling of both self-fulfillment and also self-dependence. They don’t want to have to depend on going to the store only," he says.

Gillist adds, "It’ll be great to have our own fresh stuff, to be back out and have a normal life again."

Wayside managers say they have had some big crowds, but store staff is disinfecting carts, providing hand sanitizer, making sure people are wearing masks and social distancing to stay safe.