By Laurie Lechlitner
InkFreeNews

Ed Clayton loves growing things. He spends long hours at Clayton Garden Center, North Webster. But when he has a day off, he loves fishing. It’s one of his passions. The garden center is a family business run by Ed and Judy Clayton, their son Brad Clayton and his fiancée Jewel. Photo provided by Ed Clayton.

NORTH WEBSTER — “My grandparents started selling produce and flowers in 1956,” stated Ed Clayton, North Webster. “This eventually turned into Clayton Garden Center. I began coming to ‘help’ when I was big enough to walk into the store. In my younger years, I earned a bottle of pop. I was running the cash register when I was 9 years old, the old hand crank style, and I learned to figure change, for the machine did not do it for me. I guess the garden center has always been a family business.”

Clayton got paid to work at the garden center when he was 14. “I lived within walking distance. It got me out of the house. I was always nosing around. I loved it. Besides my grandparents, I was the only one in the family who worked there full time. I think I always anticipated taking over the business someday.”

The last 30 years of his grandparents’ lives, Clayton oversaw the business. “That’s when working and learning the ropes of owning happened. When my grandparents passed away in 2007, I already knew the ropes and could run the business from long experience.”

In those many years, people have always been most important. “The relationships we have with our customers through the years is what makes working here so much fun. Now, I pretty much know what they want and need. Some of them are vegetable gardeners. I’ve had the experience to answer their questions. Some are flower gardeners. My wife Judy specializes in that area.”

Besides his wife Judy, his son Brad and his fiancée Jewel are also part of the staff.

“It’s not all about me,” Clayton remarked with a smile. “I value the input of my family members. I believe we give the personal touch that the big box stores lack. Our vendors are personal family friends. They are very dedicated to us, and we are loyal to them. The vendors go out of their way to serve us. The other employees are also part of our extended family.”

Clayton learned everything from his grandparents. But he admits that certain areas are the specialty of others on staff. “I do the bookkeeping. My wife and son are experts in the flower and vegetable growing area, including the greenhouses. But we all know the business. If we have to exchange responsibilities, we are more than able.”

Many people might think Ed and Judy are avid gardeners. “My wife is a marvelous flower gardener. But spring is our busiest time. We’re so busy helping customers that we don’t have time to do much gardening ourselves at home.”

Spring is also their most challenging time. “We need about 15 extra employees in the spring. In this day and age, it’s often hard to find employees, especially seasonal people.”

Clayton is on the Tippecanoe Township advisory board. He also serves as a member of the Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory board, as well as on on the North Webster Community Center board.

The advice he gives beginner gardeners: “Start small. Then when you are successful, branch out over the years.”

He concluded, “Gardening is especially therapeutic for senior citizens. In this day and age, when anxiety is so common and the television news so bleak, stepping outside and enjoying nature is essential. Those who garden can relax and do something that’s useful and constructive, adding beauty to the landscape.”