Garden centres

Do you have a favourite ?

We found a lovely place while we were away, not very far from our van called swains I believe it's an independent. Their plants were not dearer than the big guys but they were IMO far better specimens and they stocked a lot of what I'd call old fashioned bedding that you don't always see in the big ones these days.

Got huge antirhynums five in a pot for £2.49
All their trays were £3.49 or three for £10 over bank holiday too.

It's quite small so they open longer hours than the big guys so easier to get to we found.

Re: Garden centres

We have a favourite garden centre but unfortunately, it's 250 miles away where we used to live. There are a few around here but only one worth going to. I have always found that garden centre take it in turns for being best in the area.

Re: Garden centres

I came across a great little place near me and have used it the last couple of years ..
A husband and wife team, not a commercialised centre with cafes and all the bells and whistles.
They sell a limited range of summer bedding, sticking to what they know will sell well .... I got 20 tuberous begonias and 12 trays of flowers for 40 quid... all good sizes and healthy.

They're all planted up and sitting happy in my garden now.

Re: Garden centres

That's rather a long journey ! Our favourite here in Surrey was a local nursery sadly they closed couple of years ago they couldn't compete with the bigger chains.

Re: Garden centres

Our favourite Garden Centre is a family-run business in the countryside called Whitegate Nurseries (The Secret Garden).

The plants are always fresh and good quality and I can always find what I'm looking for. They also have a lovely cottage-like cafe there providing cooked breakfasts, snacks, lunches and lovely homemade cakes

I find there prices are quite a bit cheaper than the usual garden centre groups.

Re: Garden centres

Sounds great mags, the big chains really don't seem to have what the independents do.

Re: Garden centres

My favourite place sold up a couple of years back.

It was a family run place, and when 'Mum & Dad' became old and poorly, the son's took over. Smashing place, good knowledgeable staff, and lovely atmosphere.
I very often used to buy a coffee and take it outside the little cafe, preferring to sit by their big fish pond and watch the Koi swimming round as I drank my coffee.

However I believe the sons couldn't agree and they sold up to a wretched 'chain store' garden centre. Most of the staff gave their notices in over the next few weeks, and it has never been the same since.
They are now just carbon copies of the next store, and the next. Staff don't know a dandelion from an fig tree, it would have broke the old fella's heart.

I used to go there with leaves and buds and such, and a lovely fella there would get his magnifying glass out to identify pests and disease for me, I knew them all by their christian names as they did me.

You see, people don't always want to just buy plants, sometimes we need a bit of advice too.
The new people are sort of OK if you know exactly what you want and they only have to take your money, but the friendliness and customer care has vanished, as have the smashing staff who were always so helpful, friendly, and chatty with me. I was very sad at the changes.

BTW, I was told that garden centres and nurseries are quite different.
Garden centres usually sell all sorts as well as just plants e.g. pots/compost/mowers/tools/sheds/paving . . all sorts, and they often import half of their plants too.
Nurseries however, are more like growers and mostly only sell pants they have grown themselves and perhaps some compost.
No doubt there are exceptions though.

Re: Garden centres

Aye ... friendly staff.

I worked at a small garden centre for one summer Mups.
Come to think of it not many customers came back again.

Re: Garden centres

I expect they were just a bit taken aback at being served by a piggy in uniform Mort. x

Re: Garden centres

Mups ... one day the owner, Stu, came to me and said Piggy, give the plants a better drenching inside them there poly tunnels.
So I did.
Half an hour later, there was an almighty crash and loud swearing the bench had collapsed from the weight of all the sodden plants and me and his wife looked at each other and both scampered in to rescue him..