What makes a good nursery?

[HeyWayne]

Sorry if this appears a duplication, but thought I'd ask a separate question - what makes a good nursery for you?

We visited our first at the weekend and plan on going back - but what are the things you look for in a good nursery?

[Alison]

Do you mean kiddy nursery or plant nursery? Can't comment on the first one but the second one would be the following:
- knowlegeable staff
- healthy plants suitable for home use
- fair pricing structure
- am sure that there must be much more but one of the main things is that feeling that they know what they're on about and can actually grow plants rather than just sell china mugs and Christmas decorations

[chris]

I've yet to find a decent one around me.

Friendly, knowledgable staff (couple staff members I've spoken to may know a lot, but boy were they rude/happy to put you down if you're question/views differed from theres).

Decent Stock

Pricing.. well I'd be happy to pay more for decent stock, with a friendly service to boot

[HeyWayne]

Do you mean kiddy nursery or plant nursery? Can't comment on the first one but the second one would be the following:
- knowlegeable staff
- healthy plants suitable for home use
- fair pricing structure
- am sure that there must be much more but one of the main things is that feeling that they know what they're on about and can actually grow plants rather than just sell china mugs and Christmas decorations

Sorry Alison - I should have been clearer. Plant nurseries.

Here's the one we visited: Mill End Nursery 2 mins from our house too!

[reetnproper]

A nursery that sells more plants than ornaments - now that would be a nice thing to find
Also friendly staff who know what they are talking about and a good selection of healthy looking plants.

Reet
x

[rustylady]

Your local one looks brilliant Wayne. Proper nursery instead of "garden centre". Most of the ones round here sell more furniture, books, clothing etc than plants.

[chris]

It does look great, yes.. Not keen on the website, but that's not what matters.

I'd love to own one, one day!

[arpoet]

Ever GYO gardener should visit them at least once a year, if only for a good laugh at some of the over blown prices.
Roger

[ginger ninger]

A new one opened up about 2 month ago just down the road from me, so of course I had to have a look...just for research purposes I might add .
I think these lad's have got it just right. Price wise they're competitive and don't mind knocking a little off. They sell hand made pot's...a big tick in my books, small one's like these for £1
.

A great selection of bedding, veg and herbs to choose from. They don't mind sharing there knowledge with those who need it, there not big headed about what they know ether. If they haven't got what you need...they seem to go out of there way to find it for you. They also said "If you have a sick plant...fetch it in and we'll have a look at it for you", might take them up on that . They make there own compost and it's not full of twigs...they let me have a small bag to try...very nice of them me thinks. They grow all there own plants...which can't be said for bigger, more money grabbing Garden centres.
And the best thing of all, not a coffee shop or fancy table and chair set in sight.

There motto is " If you like what you see...tell others, if you don't...Please tell us"

[endymion]

It needs to look tidy and professional, with no sick plants. Staff should know what they're selling, be interested in their customers and have some knowledge of local growing conditions.

Their plants - at least some of them should be reasonably priced, even if it means selling little ones, because not everybody can afford to buy things that have been looked after for several years.

Pots, planters and so on are a good idea too, as well as gardening tools.

We visited one recently that had a wonderful cafe, selling lovely meals and absolutely huge cakes at very reasonable prices but, to be honest, if we're buying herbaceous plants we tend to use our local street market or a Farmer's Market.