How to Choose a Great Nursery

Perhaps you've decided to replace a dead tree, so you want to buy a new one. Maybe you've been inspired by your neighbor's booming garden, and you've decided to create your own backyard garden space. Possibly you want to choose a potted tree to accent the corner of your office. Whatever reason you choose to visit a nursery, you'll definitely want to buy plants from the best nursery in town.

• Facility. Just as with many things in life, first impressions matter. How do you feel when you first walk through the door? If the nursery is clean, tidy, well maintained, and welcoming, then the plants are probably healthy. Another sign of a good nursery is that the store is laid out well and easy to navigate.
• Variety. A reputable nursery will have many plants from which to choose. You will need to remember that some nurseries specialize. So, if you are looking for a particular plant, or type of plant, you may want to look at one of these specialist nurseries.
• Suitability. A good nursery will employ staff who are knowledgeable about the plants that will grow in your area. They will also try to dissuade you from purchasing plants that won't thrive in your climate or growing zone. Instead, they will recommend plants that will suit your needs, as well as flourish, in your growing zone.
• Price. It is not wise to shop for s nursery based solely on price. The best quality plants are not usually the lowest priced plants that you can find. Keep in mind that the plants which will grow best in your area might cost a little more. After all, it would be a bad investment to purchase a cheaper plant, only to watch it wither and die in a few months simply because you wanted to save a little cash.
• Service. A good nursery will have well-trained people who can accurately answer your questions and recommend plants for your needs. Keep an eye out for their service. A bad sign is if the only person available to answer your question about your new potted palm is a teenager who won't put down his cell phone long enough to help.
• Quality. Choose a nursery that offers healthy plants. Look for compact and sturdy plants, rather than full-grown plants if you want plants for bedding. Extreme plant growth is caused by poor temperature control in a greenhouse. Dark green plants indicate proper fertilization, so look for dark green foliage with no disease, tears in the foliage, or broken pieces.

A good nursery staff will also be more than happy to attend to you. If you walk through the door with a rough sketch of your garden plan, you should be able to find an employee who will take the time to go over it with you and help you choose the plants the are well suited to your terrain, your growing zone, and your tastes. If not, then you're in the wrong place.