At greenhouses, hardware stores and garden centers, cash registers are ringing early because of the unseasonably warm weather.
Some businesses report they're two weeks ahead of the season in sales.
Now, their main concern is for weather to not get too hot or dry. That's a contrast to other years, when they're more concerned about it turning cold again at this time. Michigan's unpredictable weather hasn't appeared to hurt the business, though. The state ranks third in floriculture behind California and Florida, and the industry grew by 4 percent in 1997, the last year for which figures are available, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture. Michigan also ranks first in 11 floriculture products, including potted geraniums, Easter lilies, impatiens and hanging flower baskets.