Well, flip a coin I guess, because there reviews are half positive and half negative on GW. On the plus side you had a good experience with them. Read through the reviews and realize if you end up not satisfied you were warned!

They seem to have the same stuff they had 5 years ago. I got the catalog today. I wish they would update some of their selections or add a few more.

Up to the first $100 of order, all you have to lose is time.

The last time I ordered some trees from Gurney's, I was very well pleased with what I got, although I felt their seed prices were pretty high (and didn't order any). I like to use these coupons from companies that I am comfortable with because they will usually end up covering the shipping and handling and sometimes take a couple bucks off the cost of the items I was ordering--in fact, I think that is why I ordered from Gurney's the last time.

If you're talking specifically about fruit trees, I'll share a pretty widely-known "secret" about Gurney's/Fields - they are just the order takers. The nursery stock is from Stark's - the orders ship from Louisiana, Missouri. Just a Stark in Gurney's clothing.

If you order something and you're not happy with it, just complain, they will adjust, reship, whatever -- and, I'm sure they're used to it.

I ordered 10 drippin honey and 1 olympic asian pears and it was a total waste. They arrived slimey, so I rinsed them and they all came down with scab. Surprised? I also ordered 15 $1.25 blowout blackberries and they sent me 50 apaches. I hadn't allocated the space and gave about 15 away to my neighbors. I wont order anything from them...except maybe a couple blackberries! Their trees were shipped out of Indiana.

It's not an endorsement, but I've ordered from Gurneys/Henry Fields probably 5 times through the years and not had any problems.

However, by the time you apply the coupons, the trees are about the same cost as a good online nursery that grows their own stock.

Sometimes Gurneys/Henry Fields obtain exclusive marketing rights to various fruiting trees/plants I'd like to try, which is when I order from them.

They do have a very liberal return policy, so a person only looses time if Gurneys sends something you don't like.

I've had very good luck with their seeds and small fruits. As for their high prices, divide in half, and suddenly they're quite reasonable. Their nursery stock, however, is usually a bit wimpy, and I've had issues with their grafts. They are outstanding, though, with their guarantee. No matter where they're from, any tree,flower,bush, or berry can die or fail (trust me, I've lost stock from them all); so a good guarantee can mean a lot. I suppose what I really dislike about them most is the stupid, cutesy names they give to some otherwise pretty good fruits.

Who would have thought the responses to this question could be so entertaining as well as informative... I love brookw bigggest Gurney's gripe!
Thanks all for the replies.

I think I will put in an order, but it will probably be mostly seeds (I don't think 2.50 a packet before the discount is bad -- I'm used to paying 3.00 with Baker Creek Heirlooms), and perhaps a few specialty fruit trees and/or some gardening supplies.

Noogy, I don't understand your beef. Maybe I'm not reading your post right but it sounds like your complaint it they sent you 35 unsolicited free blackberry plants and that the pear trees exhibited scab.

Maybe its because I'm from the Pacific Northwest, but in my mind on pome fruits that aren't resistant I expect to see scab irrespective of where the nursery stock came from.

Murky,
I should receive trees free from disease or defect, properly shipped and in good condition, right?
The substitution of an equivalent value item isn't what I asked for to make up for the crap I received.
Also,don't buy scabby pears at any nursery.

I have been satisfied with several orders from Gurneys. Have to laugh as just got their catalog with $100 coupon, Henry Fields catalog with $25 coupon (same customer id# on both catalogs probably since owned by the same company) and a stark brothers catalog without coupons but now with free shipping all on the same day! Maybe next year the pictures will be "scratch'n sniff" instead of the same old pictures!

Noogy,

My reading comprehension isn't always great. I didn't realize that the variety of blackberry they sent you isn't what you oredered. Getting the variety right should be job one.

Murky,
No problem brother. My friend lives in Portland also and I envy his gorgeous fig trees in his front yard. Candied figs are heavenly. Happy New Year!

I have ordered trees (cherry and stanley) from Gurney's in the past and they are still alive. However, I'm not sure what they grafted their stanley plum with, because it's sending up thorny suckers all over the yard!

They aren't too bad, in fact I want to order their 5 leaf akebia vine while I still can. Seems like the seed companies are getting rid of more exotic fruits for some reason. They hike up their prices and then offer 'money off'. I'd go for it, their stuff in my experience isn't bad. The one you have to watch is stuff from "PLANT TRON"...sounds like a sci fi company. Their stuff is okay, sometimes, but I ordered for fall and got a lot of completely dead plants in the bag, like thyme plants and others that don't look so hot. So, I saved the shipping label and will get replacements this spring.

I have bought a half dozen different fruit trees from them over 4 years ago and dont have one that is still alive. They have all died and even their replacements are dead. They have exceptional service but their fruit trees were something to be desired. I am done with them even if they do send me those catalogs with the $$ off coupons. Thats what got me ordering from them in the first place.

I have only got seeds from Gurney & all is well.
They are a little high for non organic seeds, but with the 50% coupon, it is a good deal.
Henry Fields has great fruit tree stock.
I like "Pedals from the Past" in Al. for fruit trees, also.

i have never had any problem with Guerney/stark/henry fields ...

loss is inherent with anything bought ... no matter the source ... any problem was resolved with a pleasant call ...

the biggest key.. for me in z5 ... is to receive dormant stock.. at the PRECISE planting time ...

for me that is around 4/1 .. NOT THE SHIPPING TIME THEIR COMPUTER TOLD THEM IN MID MAY ... and presume the phone operator is NOT necessarily a tree expert ...

get a dormant plant.. plant it just after ground thaw ... and let it come out of dormancy naturally.. and your odds go up significantly ... [and dont leave it sitting in a pail of water for a week or two, they are not aquatics] ... damp newsprint is enough at this time of year [because the garage remains like a fridge] .. and dont leave them sealed in the box and plastic for too long.. at least open the plastic to allow some air ... and they are dormant.. they do not come in the house.. to thaw out.. only to be taken back outside ... most of these trees were harvested last year.. and have been held in cooling warehouses for sale ... they are supposed to be dormant ...

i THINK.. too many newbie types.. think that late may and june are great times to be getting some plants to plant ...

that is simply not the time to be planting bare root trees ... especially if they already leafed out before shipping ...

the problem i see with mail order .. is that the loudest complainers at garden rating websites .. are usually the ones who have no clue what they are doing [you guys excepted OF COURSE] .... and the failure is always someone elses fault ...

insist on shipping at the PROPER PLANTING TIME .... not at a time that is convenient for you ... i have actually had the holes predug... up to a week in advance.. so upon arrival.. they can go straight in the ground ...

and perhaps this is why a phone call to the 800 number might work out better than thru a website.. if they do NOT give you shipping options ...

i think you have to order $100 to get 100 free ... some of you guys seem to make it sound that they will gratuitously send you 100 bucks worth .. i wish .. lol

ken

Ken..

Enjoy ... your posts but .. noticed they ... are always broken up .. with lots .. of dots...

What is the meaning ... of the dots?

:-)

i have my order ready to send in as soon as I can deposit the $ in the bank