With Mother’s Day approaching, selecting a beautiful locally grown plant or hanging basket is a thoughtful way to celebrate.
Nick Robson of Robson’s Greenhouse in Belleville, a Wayne County Farm Bureau member, shares key tips for picking the ideal gift.
Robson encourages buyers not to worry about early purchases, as the forecast is favorable for planting. Hardy plants commonly found in local greenhouses’ hanging baskets, such as begonias and impatiens, can tolerate cool temperatures and can be gradually acclimated to outdoor conditions. Covering sensitive plants with a light sheet during rare frosts can protect them.
Locally grown hanging baskets are carefully nurtured from early cuttings, ensuring healthy and vibrant plants ready for Mother’s Day. These baskets come pre-watered and fertilized, needing only occasional watering once the soil feels dry. If rain is expected, placing them outside allows nature to care for them.
Robson also advises bringing plants indoors if temperatures drop below 40 degrees for several nights. For last-minute shoppers, local greenhouses usually remain open daily and stock plenty of hanging baskets for the holiday weekend.
Expert guidance is available at local garden centers to help choose plants suited to the recipient’s light conditions and preferences. Beyond hanging baskets, options include patio and rail planters or even edible plants like patio tomatoes for a unique and lasting gift.
Supporting local growers not only ensures high-quality plants but also benefits the community, making locally grown Mother’s Day plants a perfect way to honor moms this spring.
