It's Nearly May, Busiest Time of the Year for Laura Kay's Garden Center in Salem

Both Tom and Laura Brighton (pictured above, left) agree “Mother’s Day is huge” when it comes to their chosen field: both have degrees from Utah State University in Ornamental Horticulture, and both love putting their learning to work.  In the spring of 2003 they chose to open their garden center in Salem, discovering the property (1066 South State Route 198) for sale one day when they were traveling to visit Tom’s parents in Woodland Hills (Tom, Sr., and Linda Brighton).

Thirteen years later they have multiplied their greenhouse area by four and are well-known throughout the state for their specialty: hanging baskets.  The artist behind designing the flower arrangements for these beautiful baskets is Laura.  They are fully on display at 1066 South State Route 198 in Salem, phone number 801-423-6436.

The baskets range in price from around $38 to $88 and include proven winners like supertunias and million bells.  Tom explains there are four or five different kinds of supertunias, a type of flower with aggressive trailers that spread out and down to create an especially eye-catching effect.

Flowers are an important part of the business, but trees and shrubs, tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, and most other garden vegetables are also available, along with seeds, compost, and various soil amendments.

Employee  Ellie Dana (pictured above, right) has been with the Brightons since 2006.  At the time, Ellie was working at the garden center at K-Mart and both were taking a USU Extension Master Gardening Course.  Ellie is an enthusiastic employee with great pride in the success of the business.

While Laura’s specialty is arranging the floral designs for the baskets, Tom goes the extra mile in preparing ahead.  For example, the Dracena Spikes at the store are planted a year in advance so they’re big and showy by the time the new season arrives.