Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
3/3/03
Contacts:
Linda Naeve, Reiman Gardens, (515) 294-2710, lnaeve@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
Yard and Garden Column for the Week Beginning March 7, 2003
There are Many Ways to Shop for Garden Plants
By Linda Naeve
Extension Coordinator,
Reiman Gardens
It’s hard to believe that the gardening season is just a few weeks away. Soon we’ll see garden plants for sale nearly everywhere. Many retailers put up temporary greenhouses to sell seasonal plants because Americans spend a lot of money on plants and garden-related products and services. A recent poll conducted for the National Gardening Association found that consumers spent an average of $444 per household on their lawns and gardens last year. Americans spent a total of $37.7 billion on their lawns and gardens last year.
There are many gardeners buying garden-related products. The poll found
that 8 of 10 U.S. households (80 percent) or 85 million households participated
in one or more types of do-it-yourself indoor and outdoor lawn and garden
activities last year, the highest level of participation in the past 5
years.
Years ago, the only way gardeners acquired seeds was to harvest and save
the seeds from the previous year’s garden plants. Plants were exchanged
between friends and family members. In the late 1800s, gardeners began
to order seeds from mail-order catalogs that offered a wide selection
of seeds and plants. The mail-order seed and nursery industry has grown
to hundreds of companies selling nearly any kind of plant you can imagine.
Some companies specialize in specific plants, like roses or shade-loving
plants; others are more general and offer a variety of plant material.
Today, we don’t have to wait until the seed catalogs arrive in the
mailbox. We can sit at our computer with access to hundreds of Web sites
that sell garden plants and products. If you are looking for a specific
species or cultivar, you will likely find it online by using a search
engine and the Latin and cultivar name.
Access to several sites or catalogs makes it easy for gardeners to shop
around for the best value. Seed companies package seeds and plants differently.
Note and compare the size of the packages or plants. Also note the amount
charged for shipping and handling. What seems to be a good value may end
up costing you more. Be aware that if a plant or “deal” sounds
too good to be true, it probably is.
There are a few things to consider when purchasing plants through mail
order or online. Use caution when ordering from mail-order companies or
online sources that are unfamiliar. You may want to start by ordering
just a few items and when the order arrives, evaluate the product quality
and amount of shipping time required before placing another order with
that company.
Many companies offer plants adaptable to several climates. Order perennial
plants only if they are hardy and adaptable to your area. The U.S. Department
of Agriculture hardiness zone map places Iowa in zones 4 and 5 based on
the average annual minimum temperature for this area. Most of northern
Iowa and parts of western Iowa are in zone 4, the rest of the state is
in zone 5.
When ordering, carefully read and follow directions on the order form.
Some companies ask customers if they will accept a similar substitute
if the item they ordered is unavailable. Indicate on the order whether
you are not willing to accept substitutes. Make a copy of the order form
before mailing it or print a copy of your online order to have as a record.
Although I have ordered plants and seeds from catalogs and online, I
still enjoy purchasing plants from local garden centers. I make several
trips to greenhouses and garden centers every spring. The site of greenhouses
filled with bedding plants, racks of seed packages and shelves of containers
gives me a serious case of spring fever. At the garden center you can
select the specific plants that will go into your garden. You can see
the health and vigor of the plants and at buy them at the right stage
for planting, is something that you can’t do online or through catalogs.
Garden centers have knowledgeable employees that can answer your questions
about the plants you plan to buy. They also know the local growing conditions
and the plants that will perform well in Iowa. Another advantage to shopping
locally is that you don’t have to pay shipping and handling charges.
With all these options, I will be one of the millions of gardeners around the country who will do their part in keeping the national average spent on garden plants and products growing.
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ml: isugarden
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