00:00For many gardeners, visiting a garden center for the first time in the spring
00:03feels like being a kid in a candy store. With rows upon rows of plants bursting with vibrant colors
00:09and the sound of buzzing bees and the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze,
00:13each step is filled with excitement and anticipation as you envision all of the
00:18possibilities in your own garden space. But with each step through the aisles of plants,
00:23tools, soils, and supplies, even an experienced gardener may become overwhelmed by all of the
00:28options. Even the presence of busy staff members may create additional pressure to ask the right
00:34questions and make informed decisions. Hi, this is Amy from Gardening Know How, a former garden center
00:40manager with 20 years of experience and plenty of dirt under my fingernails, and I am here to share
00:4610 secrets garden center employees would like you to know. The staff at your local garden center love
00:51what they do and they are gardeners just like you. By learning a few of their secrets and money-saving
00:56hacks, you'll be able to simplify the shopping process, choose the right plants for your space,
01:01and even have a more productive interaction with the staff. The first secret is when to shop.
01:07Weekends and holidays can be hectic to say the least. If possible, consider shopping during the
01:13weekdays. Visiting during the week allows you to avoid the crowds, experience shorter wait times at
01:18checkout, and garden center staff may have more time to provide expert advice. Plus, your best selection of
01:25plants is often during the week as trucks typically deliver fresh stock on weekdays. The garden center
01:31may seem overwhelming with plants spaced in even rows in all corners of the lot, but most of the
01:36time, the placement of these plants may indicate a clue as to their light requirements. For example, if
01:42you are in need of shade tolerant shrubs, look for sections that are under black shade cloth, pergolas,
01:47or awnings. Also, if plants are placed in hot blazing sun all day, it can be assumed that they will
01:53tolerate those
01:53same light conditions in your garden. By carefully examining these clues, you can make informed
01:59decisions about which plants will thrive in your garden's light conditions, ensuring the happiness
02:03and health of your plants. Many plants have an informational tag attached to the pot or hung from
02:09the foliage. The information provided on the tag is crucial and should be reviewed before purchase.
02:14It may indicate light requirements, mature size, soil preferences, and more. For example, you wouldn't want
02:20a 10-foot tall shrub in a space under a window as it might block your view. Plus, nearby informational
02:27signs may offer additional information not found on the plant tag. The same goes for a packet of seeds.
02:33The small pieces of information found on the packet contain valuable details for properly growing the
02:39plant. Likewise, do not be afraid to analyze a plant. Gently pop it out of the pot to take a
02:44look at the root
02:45system. If a plant is severely root-bound or has very minimal root system, you may want to consider
02:51selecting a different plant. Many larger garden centers offer soil and mulch in bags and in bulk
02:56by the cubic yard. Receiving a delivery of a large pile of anything may seem daunting, but opting to
03:02purchase these items in bulk rather than individual bags can yield significant cost savings, even with the
03:08added delivery fee. Maybe you'll save enough to pick out a few more plants. Plus, bulk purchases
03:13minimize plastic packaging and reduce the number of trips needed to obtain all of your supplies.
03:19Your local garden center employees know your climate and know your native soil, and they know what your
03:25plant will need to thrive. They may suggest compost or peat moss to improve the condition of your soil,
03:30especially in areas with heavy clay or large amounts of sand. They may also suggest a specific
03:35fertilizer for your acid-loving plants, such as azaleas or hydrangeas, to help maintain the correct pH
03:41of the soil for optimal growth. These products may seem like an unnecessary expense, but may provide
03:48essential nutrients and improve the soil structure, which could otherwise hinder healthy plant growth.
03:54You may be most attracted to the heavily promoted flashy plants in fancy pots, but do not overlook classic
04:01native plants. Garden center staff know and love native plants, as they are well adapted to your local
04:06climate and soil conditions, making them easy to care for, low-maintenance choices for your garden.
04:12Plus, native plants are less prone to insect and disease issues, and can benefit local wildlife
04:17and the pollinator population. So, on your next shopping trip, be sure to seek out native plants
04:22over newer cultivars and hybrids, especially if you prefer a hassle-free landscape with minimal upkeep.
04:29Another secret that garden center employees will share is the suggestion to plant in multiples of odd
04:34numbers, as this is one of the fundamental principles of good landscape design. Odd numbered groupings
04:40create a sense of visual interest, creating a balanced and visually pleasing design. They may suggest
04:46three or five of the same plant to help create that natural balance in the landscape. Sure, you may need
04:51only one tree or one single specimen as a focal point, but smaller shrubs and especially perennial plants
04:57are best planted in drifts of odd numbered plantings. Annual flowers are the backbone of many garden center
05:03businesses. However, like you, garden center employees have limited free time and understand the time-consuming
05:09and costly nature of planting the same plants every year. For this reason, they may suggest
05:15incorporating perennials into the landscape to help maximize your gardening budget. You will plant them
05:20just once and they will return year after year, eliminating the need for yearly replanting expenses
05:24associated with annuals. Many perennials offer a diverse range of bloom times and boast attractive foliage
05:31that provides texture and contrast throughout the growing season. You can also divide perennial plants
05:36after a few years of growth to expand your plant collection for free. Not only will you save money
05:41over time, but you'll create a sustainable landscape with minimal effort. Secret number nine is advice that
05:47is tough to take. Your eye may be drawn to the plant in full bloom, but it is wise to
05:52buy a plant with buds,
05:53not blooms. Blooming plants may offer instant gratification, but budded plants have the potential for a longer
05:59bloom time once planted in your garden. You'll be able to enjoy an extended period of flowering as the buds
06:04will open gradually over time. So while at the garden center, take a moment to admire the plant in bloom
06:10and perhaps even take a picture, but consider taking home a plant full of buds, not blooms. Last but certainly
06:17not least, some plants come with a warning right on their label. If you see the words vigorous, aggressive, or
06:22robust,
06:23you must first consider the potential implications of your garden or landscape. If you're looking for a petunia to fill
06:29a
06:29large container, the word vigorous may be beneficial, but if you're in need of a small patch of ground
06:34cover and you pick up a bugleweed that is listed as aggressive, you may have an out-of-control plant
06:39in a short period of time. These plants are not necessarily considered invasive, but they could
06:43spread rapidly and smother their neighbors. Mint would be considered another example of a vigorous plant
06:49and should be grown in containers only, never in the ground, as they spread rapidly by underground runners,
06:54quickly dominating garden beds and potentially requiring constant vigilance to prevent it from spreading beyond its designated area.
07:02Now you're armed with all of the insider secrets to make informed choices and create a thriving green space.
07:08Thanks for joining us and happy gardening!
Comments