Local Garden Centers Beat Big Box Stores
Article by Nancy Szerlag
I’ve been thinking about all the great independent garden centers here in Michigan I write about every week. I can’t imagine life without them, but if we gardeners don’t support them in this tough economy, they may not be there for us next year.
Yes, we may save a buck or two on fertilizer or potting soil at the big-box stores, but your selection will be limited and if you need advice about how to get rid of the red-and black striped crawlies on your zucchini plants or white powder on you pumpkins forget it.
It makes me sad when folks write to ask advice after having sent time and money on products that don’t work on their specific problem. Bad advice or no advice is not good for the pocketbook or the environment.
“Calling a garden center for help and then purchasing the recommended products at the big box is an all too common occurrence, we independent garden centers struggle with,” Says Dale White, owner of a local garden center.
When it comes to selection and quality, local garden centers usually win hands down over the big boxes. Garden center owners usually due research on what grows best in Michigan . They also buy plant material from local growers in Michigan . This helps the economy locally and state wide.
---I thought this article was really worth reading. I hope you agree and shop at your local garden centers this season.
Thanks
Randy Brown
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