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Clayton Garden Center: Quality Service with a Hometown Touch

Stylish garden gloves and a pruner with comfort grip handles are functional gifts, allowing mom to garden longer. Photo courtesy of Corona Tools.

By Melinda Myers
Guest Columnist

Even though your mom may say “It’s the thought that counts,” you want to find the perfect gift this Mother’s Day to express how much you appreciate all she does throughout the year.  No matter your budget, it’s possible to give mom a gift that provides days, months, and even years of joy.

Cut flowers rank as one of the most popular Mother’s Day gifts. No dusting and maintenance are required, and they are sure to generate a smile. Behavioral research at Rutgers University found the gift of flowers had immediate and long-term benefits.

Melinda Myers

Extend her enjoyment further by helping her grow, tend and enjoy gardening throughout the growing season. A gift certificate to her favorite garden center, hobby store, or retail location allows mom the freedom to select her own gift. She can enjoy time shopping for something special that she wouldn’t normally buy for herself.

A hanging basket or container garden is another way to give mom a season of flowers and much more. Gardening helps improve health and well-being by reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, strengthening muscles and increasing flexibility.

If mom likes to cook, a potted tomato, container of greens, or window box of herbs may be the perfect gift. She can grow, prepare, and boost the flavor and health benefits with fresh, flavorful and nutrient-rich vegetables and herbs.

If she prefers to do her own planting, consider giving her a container, potting mix and some seeds or plants. Add some plant labels and let her create her own container garden.

Update her garden tools and accessories with something colorful like the Burgon & Ball British Meadow pruner and holster set. This pretty and functional gift with comfort grip handles allows mom to keep gardening longer. The colorful holster keeps them right where she needs them for deadheading and pruning small branches.

No matter what mom’s age or fitness level is, it’s important to protect her joints when gardening. Gifting her a colorful Kneelo kneeler or knee pads (coronatools.com) will encourage her to do just that. The bright colors make them easy to find and the shock-absorbing foam interior provides a very comfortable surface that helps reduce knee stress.

Add a hat to further protect mom from the heat and sun when working outdoors. If it’s comfortable and looks good, she’s more likely to wear it. Include some sunscreen and a pair of sunglasses for added sun protection.

Many mothers appreciate the gift of time. Helping mom in her garden, working around her home, or assisting her with another hobby is a great way to spend time together and create memories while doing something mom loves.

Consider giving mom one of these or another gift that provides immediate and long-term enjoyment. She’ll appreciate your thoughtfulness when she opens the package, unwraps the flowers, or puts the tools and accessories to use all season long.

Melinda Myers has written over 20 gardening books, including the recently released Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2^nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Corona Tools for her expertise to write this article. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.