Enjoy Your Local Garden Centers

Lots of plants will be loaded into cars and later, lovingly planted this Memorial Day weekend.   We’re off an extra day and can indulge ourselves in a little extra garden time.

If you have plant purchasing planned this weekend, consider shopping one of our great local garden centers rather than the big box stores.

My car filled with Highland Garden Plants.

Here’s some info.  True enough, plants from mega-stores can cost less.  Some growers sell to both big box stores and independent garden centers.  And many of your favorite plants can be found at Lowes or Home Depot.

Sometimes, though, cheap IS cheap.  The best independent garden centers know their plant material very well and can spot – and reject – plants with problems where a big box employee might tend to miss an infestation or fungus.

The best local garden centers inspect their plants daily to make sure they are healthy.  Independents also know how to care for plants and give them proper TLC.  AND with our local gems, the staff is first class.

My favorite local garden center, Highland Gardens, has a dedicated community. One fan Deuce Gibb, of New Cumberland, said of Highland Gardens, “ It’s nice to go to a place that has such knowledgable staff. Everyone has been there for years.  That alone says a lot.

Another Highland Gardens regular, Carl Socolow, of Camp Hill, said that he enjoys the relationships he’s built with the staff over the years, as well as the large variety of merchandise.  He also enjoys supporting a local business.

I have to straight-up admit to being an all out Highland Gardens nut.  Erica Shaffer, Highland Gardens Nursery Manager, has become a friend and I’m attempting to help them develop a social media presence.   Erica exudes her passion about plants creating an energy that is infectious.   I know she searches out great growers because she really wants to provide her customers the best plants.  Her passion for this is rooted in a love of growing things.  She believes that gardening is the COOLEST thing and wants to spread the word.

So I’m nutty about them for good reasons.  They really want their customers to be successful gardeners.

Mixed in with all the plants through out this boutique-esque garden center, are extremely informational signs that actually help you SAVE money by helping you buy the right plant for the right place.  The staff knows their stuff.  Again, this can help you save money by having access to information to help make sure your plants thrive.

Another fan, Diana Fishlock, of Camp Hill, said she finds the unique variety of plants an appealing part of shopping at Highland Gardens.

Ribbon Plant, an annual at Highland Gardens earlier this spring.

“They have loads of types of herbs and old-fashioned flowers that are hard to find,” she said,  “When I’m in a hurry, I just look at those, but when I can linger, I love to wander around the back through the little secret gardens.”

As much as I love them, I don’t want this to be a rah rah for Highland Gardens alone.  Much of what I rave about Highland Gardens, can be found at other independent garden centers.  Ashcombe Farms in Mechanicsburg, is an iconic and fab garden center.  Along with great plants, helpful signage and a sharp staff, Ashcombe’s has homemade food and local vegetables in season.  Kathy McAfee, Ashcombe Farm Nursery Manager, is a complete pro who is diligent about her care and selection of their nursery stock, as well as a warm, upbeat person. I had her as an instructor for Nursery Management at HACC and was very impressed.

Stauffer of Kissel Hill is a local chain and they do things well.  I honestly don’t know them.  Though, I do know several smart plant people who have worked for them over the years. They have shops through out our 5 county area.  Their size might allow them to do things that the smaller centers can’t.

If you’d like to send a shout out to your favorite, let us know!  I know there are interesting centers in Dauphin, York and Lancaster Counties that I haven’t mentioned here.  We will try to turn you on to cool garden centers in counties other than Cumberland County over time.  We’d love your input!

But bottom line, check out your local garden centers before stopping at the big box.  There is multifaceted benefit to searching out plants and places of VALUE…  over what is cheap.