Why Visit Your Local Independent Garden Center?

In the past 10 years, Cape May County has gone through a retail renaissance. Just about every type of store has finally come to town.
There are many different opinions and consequences that have been generated on this, but this article isn’t intended to be a verdict on that. Rather, I would like to point out the value and reasons why including your local Independent garden center, and for the same matter, other long established local business in your consumer and gardening needs.
• Price. Yes price. Folks have become indoctrinated that the big guys are cheaper. It isn’t always so.
Having some things cheap to get you in the door has been an age old device to then hope you buy other things that you need at the same or higher price than available elsewhere.
Many times the independents have the same item within pennies of the same price, and will continue fair pricing throughout their business. Stop in and compare.
• Value. Living, healthy plants. In sizes from small to bigger than you can handle, and all of these plants are cared for in garden environments by nursery professionals, packed in mulch, watered two-three times daily, fertilized again while in stock, and neatly pruned. Independents will have plants with the proper size root systems.
Good gardeners know that the real important part of a plant is the roots. These are the brains and plumbing system and the better kept and larger the roots are, the more likely a plant will quickly establish and thrive.
Professional landscapers and nurseries are not afraid to bring in big stock, with big roots. We have the equipment to handle this and can guarantee satisfaction.
Take a good look at plants in a nursery vs. the Big Box. Overgrown tops are often from over-fertilization or coming in from Florida or Texas. Most nurseries in Cape May County buy the vast majority from within 100 miles, or from national nurseries like Monrovia™ who are experts in supplying plants to varying areas.
• Convenience. Absolutely. While some local nurseries may not have night hours, or cover in rain, some do. What they also have is close parking at their front door, a staff that will carry things to your car, easy delivery, and planting services.
There are usually no huge crowds, peaceful outdoor shopping, and I am sure that the cashiers interest in your happiness and their thankfulness for your business will very easily show at an independent garden center.
• Knowledge. Many nurseries have display and strolling gardens with maturing specimens for your enjoyment.
They tend to stock plants that are very hardy to this area, and because many employees of local nurseries have worked here for many years, the practical knowledge and experience of these businesses and the expert advice should save you many dollars in frustration of planting the wrong things.
Your time is worth money. Standing in long lines, loading your own car, watching things die, and then returning them, shouldn’t be part of your life. Trust your local nurseries to be fair and help you create great gardens.
—Stan Sperlak, Cape Shore Gardens. Find us on Facebook, and www.capeshoregardens.com.