Remembering Tom Dayton: A Northeast Ohio Gardening Legacy

A familiar and beloved name in northeast Ohio gardening has passed away.

Tom Dayton, longtime owner of Dayton Nurseries in Norton and former co-host of WAKR’s “Ready, Set, Grow,” died Sept. 5 at the age of 70.

For nearly four decades, Dayton poured his heart into the nursery he built from the ground up near I-76 in Norton. What began as a dream grew into a trusted destination for generations of gardeners across the region, and Tom became just as well known for generously sharing his knowledge as he was for the plants he grew.

His love of horticulture extended far beyond the nursery. Through radio, community organizations and his early support of sustainable growing practices, Tom helped countless people better understand and appreciate the natural world around them.

Tom’s knowledge, curiosity and passion for gardening made him a trusted local resource for years.

His impact can still be seen throughout northeast Ohio, in the gardens he helped create, the plants he grew and the people he taught along the way.

In recent years, Tom had been living with Alzheimer’s disease. The Dayton Nurseries property has since been sold, and the new owner has shared long-term plans to turn it into an event-centered gathering place with features such as a winery, coffee shop and restaurant, a future many hope will continue the property’s connection to the community.

His obituary says it beautifully: Tom’s legacy will continue to flourish in the yards, gardens and communities he helped cultivate.