As Mother’s Day weekend rolls around, I’ve been pondering the link between mothers, Mother’s Day and gardening.  Maybe it is just the time of year, or maybe it is the connection between nurturing children and growing a garden, but spending the weekend celebrating motherhood and digging in the dirt seems a natural fit.  And, gifts related to growing, blooming and beautiful things are perfect for any Mom.

Each year my husband designs and plants a stunning container garden for my mother’s front steps.  My Mom cherishes the beautiful garden, and loves bragging to her neighbors about the gift from her son-in-law! He says it fitting tribute for the woman who came to help us so much with each newborn baby. McArdle’s new Container Bar makes this easier than ever — they will help you select a container, the appropriate plants, and even plant it for you if you want.  Nice.

One of the many beautiful gardening hats McArdle's carries.

I like to receive a stunning bouquet as much as the next girl, (and yes, I would like one with my Mother’s Day breakfast-in-bed), but I’d really like to spend the day planting a garden.  My Mother’s Day gifts should include pretty new gardening gloves and boots, shiny new tools and gadgets and some fun garden accessories.  On Saturday, I like to visit McArdle’s  and pick out plants for my vegetable and herb garden.   On Sunday, nothing beats working with and watching my children prepare the soil, and tenderly plant lettuce, peas, beans and beets.  Some of our herbs are back, like the chives and mint, so those get groomed and weeded, and we plant annual herbs as well.  Thanks to the early warmth, my rhubarb is nearly ready for the first pie, and the strawberries are full of blossoms.  The kids weed and mulch, and try to find a new way to keep the birds from stealing all of our blueberries and raspberries.  At the end of the work, I’d like to curl up with a new gardening book, and a cup of Tea Forte lychee coconut tea.  And a bag of SusanSnaps cookies.  Delightful.

Susan Snaps, a delicious treat carried at McArdle's!

The days are gone when my kids bumbled and tumbled through the garden.  They are becoming men and women, with capable hands, strong backs and artistic flair all their own. Maybe it is because they are nearly grown now that it is so sweet to work with them planting fragile new life.  Together we nurture, protect, nourish and encourage growth in something that becomes infinitely more beautiful than we had imagined.