How to chooseA GARDEN CENTER

I n 1732, Robert Fuller published the � rst seed catalog. For many years after that, gardeners anxiously awaited their arrival in January. They used these catalogs to plan their spring gardens. It also helped to � ll the long winter days. In many cases, those seed catalogs have been replaced by the Internet, but gardeners across the world still use the winter to dream of their spring gardens. They have a wide selection of products to choose from. In fact, the University of Minnesota has created a list of over 109,967 plants. Gardeners today can choose products from over 2,600 garden centers spread across the United States. So, how does one make the right choice?

DO THE RESEARCH

The � rst key in researching a garden center is to look at their catalog or Internet site. It should be � lled with information that is aimed at helping the gardener to be more successful. This information should be easy to understand. It should also be easy to apply. It should prove that the garden center is an expert in gardening. The second key in choosing a garden center is to look at

classes that the garden center offers. The garden center should be providing hands-on training. The third key in researching a garden center is to look for one that is active in the media. When the media-has questions, the experts at the garden center you are considering should be on the short list that the media uses. The fourth key is to ask your friends and neighbors. Do you have a friend or neighbor who loves to garden? If you do, then ask them who they use. The � fth key in researching a garden center is to determine their specialty. While some garden centers have a wide variety of products, most have a few products that

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they specialize in. Are those the products that you are interested in?

VISIT THE GARDEN CENTERS

After you have researched the

garden center, then visit two or three garden centers before making a � nal decision. First, look at the quality of plants in the garden center. Do they look healthy? Do they seem to be well taken care of?

Ask the sales person a question. Think

about a problem you have experienced in the past. Ask them about a solution to that problem. The sales person should be knowledgeable about possible solutions.

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Find out how long the garden center

has been there. Good businesses usually stay in the same location for a long time. They usually are operated by the same people for a long time.

Find out who owns the garden center. Usually plants grown for local green houses are better quality. After all, they are produced to be grown in your area. Plants grown locally usu-ally have fewer diseases. Some of these diseases will not be apparent until you take the plants home.

Find out how the plants are produced.

Open pollinated desig-nates a seed or plant that will reproduce itself purely if a seed is prop-erly saved from the fruit of the plant. An organic seed or plant has been produced without arti-� cial or chemical pesti-cides.

When shopping at a garden center, you

should know what types of plants are being offered. Many will have identifying points listed on the tag. If not, you should check with the staff to get information.

seed or plant has been produced without arti-� cial or chemical pesti-cides.

When shopping at a garden center, you

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• Hanging Floral Baskets

• Fruit & Shade Trees

• Unique Lawn Decor

• Gift Certifi cates

FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR GARDEN

Open Daily • (970) 249-6109 16612 S. Townsend Ave., Montrose, Co • www.camelotgardens.com

• Hanging Floral Baskets