Mother’s Day arrives just as Minnesota finally starts to believe in spring. After months of gray skies and unpredictable April weather, early May brings real gardening optimism, pansies holding strong, crabapples budding, and soil temperatures inching upward. It’s a perfect moment to celebrate the moms, grandmas, and mother figures who make our lives bloom. Whether you’re choosing a gift, planting something meaningful, or planning a garden activity together, here are fresh ideas for 2026.

What to Buy: Garden Gifts That Always Delight

• Locally grown hanging baskets: Choose cold-tolerant mixes like petunias, calibrachoa, verbena, and lobelia for chilly nights.
• Native plant starter kits: Prairie dropseed, butterfly milkweed, and penstemon are great pollinator picks, and many growers offer Minnesota-ready “pollinator packs.”
• A quality garden tool: A Hori Hori knife, ergonomic pruners, or a sturdy kneeler are gifts that get used.
• A local nursery gift card: Practical, appreciated, and supports community growers.

What to Plant Right Now in Minnesota

Early May is still cool, but perfect for hardy favorites.

• Cool-season vegetables: Lettuce, spinach, peas, radishes, onions, and potatoes thrive in cool soil.
• Hardy perennials: Hosta, daylilies, coneflowers, bleeding heart, and peonies can all go in now.
• Shrubs and trees: Plant serviceberry, ninebark, dogwood, and fruit trees for strong root establishment.
• Pansies and violas: Frosttough color for instant cheer.

Warm-season crops—tomatoes, peppers, basil, cucumbers—still need to wait until after Memorial Day.

Fun Garden Ideas to Celebrate Mother’s Day

• Create a mini cutting garden: Plant zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, and snapdragons for July bouquets.
• Start a perennial tradition: Add one new perennial each Mother’s Day to build a blooming timeline.
• Visit a garden center or plant sale: Many Minnesota Master Gardener groups host festive, inspiration-filled sales this weekend.

A Final Thought

Gardens grow best with care, patience, and a little bit of love, qualities many moms model every day. Whether you’re gifting a plant, planting something together, or simply enjoying the first true warmth of the season, may your Mother’s Day be filled with color, connection, and the promise of a beautiful growing year ahead.

For more news from U of M Extension, visit www.extension.umn.edu/news or contact Extension Communications at extdigest@umn.edu. University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

By University of Minnesota Extension