Big Box Stores versus Independent Garden Centers
Among a small circle of friends – this is going to be a very unpopular post. But here’s the deal, it is what it is.
I’ve spent the last few weeks touring garden centers close to my home. I’ve been to every box store and am only missing one of the independents.
Highest prices. Home Depot selling annuals for $6/dozen.
Lowest Price. Canadian Tire selling annuals for $3/dozen
(other big box stores – Costco at $4/dozen and 2nd Canadian Tire at $4.50/dozen)
Independents ranging from $4.50 to $6/dozen. Why our local independents should not be more expensive than the chains is below.
Quality –
Hands down to the big box stores early in the season. The independent garden center plants were either overgrown or undergrown. (I bought mine from the $3/dozen Canadian Tire because they were cheap and great plants)
Later on in the season, it is possible the box stores will lose quality points because they haven’t yet heard the word called “watering”. So their plants have always looked pretty abused after a week or two when the turns slow down. But get ‘em off the truck or a day or two later and you’re getting good plants.
Advice.
Ah me, Oh my. It doesn’t matter whether a teenager works for the big box store or the independent. Unless they’re the kid of the owner, it’s a waste of time to ask.
As for the adults, I listened to answers from all of them at big box stores and independents and I have to call it a draw. My gawd, the b.s. that was being spread about the hardiness of tender perennials at one independent (the largest around) was pretty amusing.
And the plant combinations being suggested at another were downright funny – i.e. here’s a blue flowering plant (Ajuga) that would go with this yellow flowering plant (Achillea) Never mind the height or bloomtime difference – they’d “go together” somehow in that shady/sunny garden somehow.
At least at the big box stores, you don’t expect the staff to know what the heck they are talking about (should have seen the look on the face of the staff member trying to figure out how to tell somebody how to kill broadleaf weeds now we have a chemical ban)
Checkouts.
Faster at the big box stores. The independents were slow – really slow.
Bottom Line
I’d shop at the local big box stores for the vast run of the mill stuff. Cheaper, better plants early in the season.
Later in the season – after June 1st, I’d shop carefully everywhere.
No good advice to speak of that I was able to hear or ask.
We don’t have a nursery for rare or unusual material. Period. That’s now firmly mail-order. You simply can’t get the newest and latest from our local stores.
This may not how it is in your local garden center area but with the gains the big boxes are making in retailing green goods, as a consumer I can’t resist. (The local HD even had Iseli evergreens in stock early on – go figure.)
UPDATE – just visited Home Depot (looking for construction supplies) and wandered into the greenhouse. Big signs on Annuals – “Were $7.97 – now $5.98″. Huh? I must have missed it when they upped the price to $7.97 for 12 annuals (nice price if you can get it though) and I wonder how long that price was in effect to be able to make that claim?
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About Doug
Doug, you won’t get any argument from me. We do have a few nice independent nurseries, although they aren’t large. I shop carefully at the Big Box stores and like you said, try to get there early in the season to get good, healthy plants.
Our Walmart actually had a wonderful head of the gardening department, who was a former greenhouse owner until he sold the business and retired. He had worked at Walmart for several years until he passed away. He knew his stuff.
You didn’t mention the guarantees. That’s a biggie for me, especially if I’m buying a tree or shrub. Lowe’s, Menards, Walmart, Home Depot ALL have a one-year warranty – no questions asked – and I have had to use it a few times. Try complaining to a local nursery when you lose something.
@Kylee from Our Little Acre -
(as if)
You’re right about the no-hassle guarantee at both the independents and box stores. Different critters where the big box stores recognize the value of a customer (and can sell you stuff year round) I suspect our local indie shops haven’t got that sense of what each customer’s lifetime worth is to them. But great point about the guarantee – I’d forgotten that part (mind you, that’s probably because I don’t kill many plants)
I went to Sheridan Nurseries to purchase Water Lettuce and Water Hyacinths obviously for my pond. I normally like to drive to Moore Water Gardens to get my pond stuff but it is a long distance for me and decided not to go this year. This is where almost all nursieries that sell water plants purchase from. So, this year these plants were $6.00 each. WOW! never seen this price before. After I told them that this is a steal but not in my favour I purchased only one (1) of each. Last year I had 3 of each and composted many of them.
I visited a good friend of mine who also has a pond. I noticed 3 Water Lettuce and 3 Hyacinths in her pond. They were enormous compared to mine and looked great. I asked where she go them and she said that one (1) of each is for me but she got them for $3.07. When she told me that she got them at Walmart I thanked her very much but I will not put a Walmart product anywhere near me.
In my mind… stay away from Walmart. I would not take from Walmart even if it was FREE
I like my local moms & pop nursery. He has better selection and he knows me, my soil and how much I am willing to water my plants. He is also willing to order odd plants for me and stocks lots of drought tolerant plants that do well in my area. He can be a bit more expensive sometimes, but he’s worth it!
I know what you mean about big box stores not watering! You have to get there in the first few days or the plants will be wilted!
Laura Zs last blog post..Santolina Or Lavender Cotton Tough Drought Tolerant Shrub With Yellow Button Flowers For Friday Floral
@Ken Cole -
Well, here’s where we differ I guess. If the product is good – and the price is right (I normally give local suppliers a 10-15% advantage for being local) then I go with where it is best for my garden and my wallet. Just because a nursery is local or family owned doesn’t give them the ability to jack up prices or ignore price points. As I said – 10-15% and I don’t even hesitate to shop locally – but a 100% difference sounds to me like a bit of gouging going on. Mind you, every business model is different and as long as the independents are making their money – more power to them if they can get that doubling-price. And in this case, the difference in quality and the difference in price suggest big box shopping.
I am a new gardener this year, and my question would be if buying from the Big stores decreases the longevity/life of some plants? I THINK my plants look healthy when I purchase them, but then they tank out (not all, but a few). All the plants I bought at the local nursery look fantastic. Could be “operator error” on my part, or is it more quality from the beginning?
Renees last blog post..Amazing Race!
@Renee -
And I don’t bring ‘em home if I can help it. But overall, if you get it home and give it tlc, they “should” perform equally. All things being equal – after all, unless your local garden center is growing everything themselves (increasingly rare) the plants are all coming out of the same wholesale greenhouse ranges.
You know you raise a really good point. Do the big box store plants get “stressed” in some way that doesn’t make them look “sick” but that comes across as dead plants later on in the garden. I”m not a good one to ask because I have an “eye” for good or sick plants (after 30 years in the trade I had damn well better be able to id a sick plant)
My local Lowes usually has at least one interesting plant every couple of weeks so I always make a stop. I also get my run of the mill bedding plants there (on Friday when the truck comes in for the weekend supply). My best source of plants, however, is the local Farmer’s Market. I find a lot of perennials there that neither the box stores nor the local garden centers carry or if they do carry them, charge double or more. The price and quality at the Farmer’s Market is usually good, and the vendors friendly and helpful, but there is no guarantee, of course.
Karen’s Garden Tipss last blog post..Six Tips for Growing Vegetables in Containers
Doug, you seem bang on to me. I used to work for a nursery, starting with Sh and ending with eridan Nurseries and I can tell you that they supply all the Loblaws stores. Often the same plants for with a different label, for much cheaper then you could get at a garden centre. And no the big box stores don’t seem to know how to water at all, once that kicks in the garden centre is the better choice out of those two options…I prefer the farmers markets and the menonites!
@LK -
Shhhh, we don’t want to mention that the only differences are labels… Shhhhh
@Karen’s Garden Tips -
but I can see where you might pick up a gem or two from small growers.
You know the Farmer’s Market hasn’t been high on my list – I seldom go to town on days when it’s running (heck, I seldom go to town off my island)
I purchase at big box stores just not Walmart. I like Canadian Tire, Rona, Home Depot, Costco just not Walmart. I certainly agree that there must be a balance between price, quality, service, guarantees etc. I do not mind paying a higher price to some degree but there is a large price that we all pay in supporting a place like Walmart. The Sheridens of the world are complete rip offs and I do not purchae from them unless all factors are considered. In my particular case $6.00 for the season will keep me from Walmart. Doug you and I totally agree except for Walmart!
You are still the greatest!
@Ken -
(that’s because I didn’t visit them)
Ken – I have to tell you that I don’t shop at Wal-mart as a general rule. Unfortunately, in many Southern rural areas, they’re the only game in town for miles. And I do see that some of their products aren’t really “cheaper” but the impression is that they are. You’ll notice I didn’t mention their pricing on this post.
Great analysis of both different types of stores. I shop at both like many others here. I got a nice selection of plants at home depot early on in the season and got mulch at my local independent nursery because they had a nice selection and was well priced.
pays to live greens last blog post..Geothermal Energy Gaining Momentum
@pays to live green -
Yeah, we all shop all over the place. This was one of the things I learned when I ran my nursery – even the most fanatic of customers would be shopping at several other places. This gave me the freedom to decide NOT to be all things to all gardeners but to specialize in things that other garden centers didn’t have. Want chemicals – go to a big box (I couldn’t compete). Want a rare perennial (and want to pay for it) come see me.
Thanks Doug for your reply. I agree with your post about Walmart. Not always cheaper. Cruel employer. The end.
I enjoy this blog on a daily basis. I work for a large co-op of retail garden centers in the ‘States. I spend my time visiting 160 Independents in the NE several times a year, doing the trade show circuit and various prof. org. events. I cannot help but make this my first post as it hits “close to home” for me. The subject of this post is one I come across often. My opinions are coming from what I’ve learned. I will try to make statements that apply to the “average” box and “average independent.
I believe the Achilles tendon of the box stores when it comes to plants is the care the (do not) give them. The boxes are trending towards “pay-by-scan” which means they really don’t have to care for them in many cases. As part of the purchase arrangement, suppliers are forced to provide care for the plants. This isn’t something most are well equipped to do. If the plant dies, it gets thrown and the supplier gets nada. If you want a healthy plant at the boxes, learn what day they take their shipments and get there as they unload the truck.
The independents have no such luxury. They are assuming 100% liability for the stock they’ve brought in. In most cases (during the spring), invoices on this stock is due within thirty days. It seems logical (and my observation) that this liability tends to force the independent to take much better care of their plants.
When it comes to labels, there are a number out there that are worth something. I’m talking about (US suppliers) the handful of national suppliers and a few handfuls of regional suppliers who have made their name on consistent quality. I define consistent quality as “a good value in the pot”, every shipment. These labels are the ones you will find at your local independent and almost never at a box.
For the handfuls of quality labels available, there are a slew of smaller suppliers to the market. These suppliers sell plants that cover the value/quality spectrum. In this arena, every retailer makes decisions on what to provide their customers. A quality retailer, will provide plants (labeled or not) that are a good value in the market they sell in. Quality independents can easily tailor their plant offerings. Not so much for the boxes. Most purchasing decisions for the boxes are made at the national or regional level. When it comes to plants, this can become important. I’ve seen many cases of spreads (split of annual bookings) in which boxes were forced to take plants not suitable for their zone.
As well, a quality retailer will take the care to winnow their varietal selections. I’ve found myself (more than once) standing at the grocery, staring at the twenty-something choices for Italian Vinagrette. My point being, you’ll find the coolest/most unusual/”best” at a retailer who takes the time to go through this selection process. In almost every case, you’ll find this retailer to be your independent. It really comes down to common sense. An independent simply cannot afford to stock every variety of Hydrangea macrophylla (for example). They will instead offer a few cases of what they consider to be the best (whatever that means in their market).
A recent example of quality selection can be found by looking at the tomato crop of 2009. Most independents do not purchase from the “Behemoth” supplier of tomato and many other vegetable plants. Instead, you’ll find starts that are in most cases grown locally or regionally. This local grower being smaller, has much less economy of scale and has to charge more for their product. The value they do offer is a lessoned chance of disease, less stress on the plant, less fuel used in shipment and perhaps a more suitable zonal/varietal plant offering.
Most independents will not purchase from a supplier who also sells boxes. How can they when the boxes are able to purchase at a 25 – 30% discount off normal wholesale and assume virtually no risk until point of sale? The box is able to sell at little or no margin while the independent is dependent on their margins to stay in business. The box may take a benchmark item (six-pac annuals) and use it as a leader to draw consumers to their store. Many consumers are under the impression that prices at the box are always the lowest. When it comes to purchasing product, this is correct. However, boxes are in business to make money and their strategy does not include giving things away. When it comes to pricing on items outside benchmark territory, I believe you’ll find the value-in-a-pot takes a big dip at the boxes.
When talking value-in-a-pot, I think it’s important to look at the whole package/what’s in the pot. A few years ago, I was part of team that helped launch a national brand of annuals. When it came to pot selection, I was stunned to find the team putting in thirty plus hours in settling on one single pot. It makes a big difference. A four inch annual can be grown in a four inch pot that is nearly a quart in volume. You can also find four inch annuals in pots with less than half that volume. Both plants equal in size, what’s the difference? In a word, roots. Some plants grow well in shallow pots, some require wide, some deep or combination thereof. The roots are the plants immune system. They provide vigor, health and longevity. The media makes a difference too. A quality oriented supplier will often include mycorrhiza or slow release fertilizers in their mix. They will offer a pot that is well suited for the crop. This will certainly increase the cost of the plant at retail. I’d argue the value of that plant is significantly increased as well. Suppliers to box stores will seldom offer the larger volume or extra amenities in their media. They cannot because the box chooses a supplier based primarily on price/pot.
All said, here’s my opinion on value-in-the-pot: When shopping for commodity/benchmark items, you’ll always find the cheapest price at your local box. In most cases, you’ll be purchasing a plant that has been pushed faster, nurtured less, less plant mass and has fewer roots at your local box. For non-commodity items, you will find a more carefully selected offering and better overall value at your local (quality) independent.
I assume most readers of this blog fall into the hobby gardener or plant nerd category? You are the fortunate few of plant consumers. You likely have the expertise to graze the benches of your local box and come home with a cart filled with the best they had. Your average Joe Homeowner has few of your tools and is likely to fare far worse.
On a more personal level, I believe shopping boxes supports an economic model that is not sustainable and in no consumers best interest.
Fuel the fire…!
Scott – a thoughtful and insightful response and I have to thank you for that. Thanks for bringing the difficult concept of value-in-a-pot out for other readers – it’s a difficult concept and one that only comes with repeated exposure from the consumer. We often had customers say they didn’t know why – but they’d try our tomatoes and perennials in their gardens next to other gc’s and ours would live and outgrow the rest. We had several commercial vegetable accounts who (try as they might) couldn’t duplicate the yield of our transplants (it was all in our cold-treatment of them – a little known trick) and wound up paying a premium price because they could justify the extra cost in earlier returns. That was value-in-a-pot that could be demonstrated. But for the average consumer in the average garden center or box store – demonstrating value in a pot is a tricky thing at best. And you’re right – I (and likely other experienced gardeners) can go through a garden center and identify the good plants by the look of them – even at a quick walk.
And actually, most readers of this blog fall into the garden-writer or garden-blogger category. But I’ll send my main list over hear to read your comment because I think it’s an important one.
While I agree that an off-the -truck plant at a grocery store is about equal to a plant at a local independent, where does a customer go the second week of July when the “Garden Centre” has returned to “parking lot”? Independents need to, hopefully, have good staff on all season for customer support. This can lead to a higher cost for the product.
@Jeff – acting the part of the devil’s advocate – that means I buy my plants cheaply early on and more expensively to fill in the garden later on or if I need something.
If I’m an average consumer – that’s what I’d do. The average consumer isn’t interested in whether you’re around or not – if you’re more expensive, then you had darn well better communicate that. That’s why the independents have lost 50% of the market (or more depending on recent stats I haven’t seen) to the boxes.
I just realize how lucky we are to have a good independent where I live. It is starting into the 3rd generation, so they are reliable.
Doug, your comments do hit a bit hard especially since I’m pretty sure that you’ve been in the garden center business yourself. Maybe Canadian models are different than in the States. Scott Smith’s post says it all far more eloquently than I can.
Independent garden centers in our area generally have a one year plant guarantee. Our garden center will replace any plant one time for any reason, no time limit. Want to guess the percentage of plants that get replaced on our dime because they haven’t been watered? Even multiple times from the same customer who continues to ignore the fact that you have to water plants?
Also, I don’t believe that we share any growers with our local box stores. Our plants are not coming from the same huge wholesale ranges. Maybe on a couple of greenhouse “color” items but on trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, and groundcovers? A big percentage is coming from small local growers who are also supplying other area independent garden centers or from out-of-state specialty growers. If a grower falls down on quality more than a couple times, we kick them to the curb. We grow many of our own annuals and perennials and the quality is outstanding. That’s not to say that it’s impossible to find quality at a box store.
We certainly do not “jack up prices” or “gouge” anyone. There is not a huge profit margin in a local garden center. Most independent garden center owners live a middle class life. Yeah, our markup might be higher than a box store. However, box stores can work a deal to not pay for plants that don’t sell and/or force their growers to give them a volume discount. Sometimes prices on individual items have to be higher to make up for the fact that some items, like pine straw, have virtually no profit margin.
Doug,
As a local independent garden center, I must be a bit different. I strive hard to grow a large variety of flowers each spring and I visit the local large box nurseries (Lowes, Home Depot, and Walmart) prior to pricing. Reason being, I always price my plants at a lower cost than my competitors (with the exceptions of sales). I feel that as an independetn garden center I have several factors that I control that will benefit me over the large box garden centers; cost, variety, customer service, and healthy plants. Unless extremely busy, I educate all my customers regarding the plants that they purchase from me. If I don’t believe that the plant will be good for the customer, I tell them. After all, if my customers can get the joy of growing a beautiful plant successfully, I feel that they will be more apt to buy more plants. I also volunteer information regarding other nursersies if I know they have something that I don’t have…or if they have a price that I can’t match. I feel if I can make my customers happy and they trust me, then they will be more than glad to return to me and tell their friends.
As far as a 12 month guarantee. I don’t advertise a guarantee like Lowes and Home Depot, but if I have a customer who returns to me and tells me that they had a shrub or tree died, I will gladly give them a refund or replacement plant. Please be fair to all of us during these competitive times, I think all of us can benefit our customers in different ways.
@Tina @Faith – folks, this is an older post and I stand by it. Those were the prices and those were my reactions. And yes, having run my own nursery for just under 25 years, I have some experience running an independent gc and nursery. We were a very high end and if the plants weren’t up to my standards they were junked. As soon as those petunias got over 4-6 inches they’d be off the bench and I charged accordingly. I was the most expensive and if I wasn’t (and learned of it) I’d raise my prices. I couldn’t afford (as Faith seems to) to compete with the boxes on price. I had my customers and I competed on quality and breadth of product.
@Faith – “please be fair to us during these competitive times” – I’m simply telling you what I see and what I react to. I’m not going to promote independents just because they’re independent. I’m a gardener first – a writer second and my readers deserve (and get) my unvarnished opinions. I’ll promote a box store (as I did last year when the Depot stopped selling garden chemicals in Canada before the deadline) and I’ll support an independent if it does a good job. So to be clear – my responsibility now is to my readers.
There are good independents just as there are good box stores (it’s all in the people) and I stand by the notion that if I get it off the truck – I’m getting as good a plant at a box store as anywhere. I see nothing in that old article that I’d change or modify.