Mother's Day Gifts That Mom Can Use in the Garden and Backyard

Some moms would rather not, but if you have a mom who loves to garden, Mothers' Day is a great holiday to express your appreciation of "mom" with splendid gifts to help her in the back yard. Speaking as a mom who enjoys getting her fingernails dirty, any gift relating to plants and flowers gets a big "thumbs up" from me!

When my children were younger, we would first celebrate the day with a brunch and then head out to the local garden center, where we would fill up the back of the minivan with all of my gardening needs for the summer. Then we would return home and I'd spend the rest of the day in Seventh Heaven planning what to do with my new plants. I don't think it's any coincidence that Mothers' Day is celebrated in spring, and garden centers and nurseries are bursting with fresh plants and lots of ideas. If you're unable to pin down exactly what kind of plants your mom is interested in, I would suggest obtaining a gift card from her favorite nursery, so she could go shopping after the festivities. If your area's local gardening centers do not offer gift cards or gift certificates, consider buying gift cards from some of the nicer retailers, like Smith and Hawken, Napa Style, Gardeners Supply Company, Plow Hearth or Home Harvest. Many of these retailers have brick-and-mortar stores, some send catalogs, and all are online.

For those with time on their hands and a creative bent, many small items can be combined into a gardening gift basket. Start with a traditional flower gathering basket, which can be found at Pier One or Cost Plus. Fill with items like gardening gloves, shiny new gardening hand tools, seeds, small containers of fertilizer, cute items like plant identification markers, watering can, small pots, pruning shears, bulb planters, wind chimes, etc.

A good project for small children is to make stepping stones. Several craft stores like Michaels and Joann's may have stepping stone kits, but it's possible to make your own using cement. Mix carefully and place in a large, shallow plastic container. As the cement dries, embed small items into it. We made one using shells from a seaside visit, and my son fashioned another from some of his favorite things, like a golf ball. Leave enough room for the child to place a tiny handprint and have the child sign the stepping stone. Once stones are dry, pop them out of the plastic mould and position in your garden on flat earth.

Another idea for Mothers' Day is offer your own services by way of sweat equity. Many moms (like me!) have big ideas for their gardens but may not be physically able to hoist rocks, dig trenches or plant trees. A handmade card indicating the task you will provide will be most appreciated. Besides major landscaping labor, moms would appreciate having their gardens watered while off on vacation, free weeding, lawn mowing or leaf raking. Taking care of these menial tasks will leave more time for your special mom to spend on the fun aspects of gardening.

No matter what kind of gardener your mother is, you'll be sure to find something for Mothers' Day that she is bound to love.