Garden Center Inventory Levels

15 years ago

I've noticed a rather significant reduction in inventory levels at my local garden centers as well as our local-owned hardware store this spring.

Over the past two weekends we've made trips to the garden center for things that would normaly be no-brainers.

About 5 months ago, I was diagnosed with lupus. Gardening is more challenging for me now. I wanted to purchase one of those Garden Buddy carts that carry tools as well as have a seat for when I need to rest (which is frequently now). We went to 4 different places to no avail. I had to resort to ordering online & paying shipping. :)

Next, DH & I decided our main garden purchase this year was going to be a pair of matched large, tall copper planters (40-48" tall). There are 3 local stores that usually have a wonderful selection. This year, nothing but small pots. Again, I had to order online & pay $38 shipping. Ouch! They are beautiful though.

Third, I need a new pair of hand pruners because of my lupus. I need a good pair with cushioned hand grips & ratcheting blades. All I could find were cheap, plastic pruners in the $10.95 range...all Made In China. I've not purchased anything yet.

With the price of gas, I don't want to drive 50 miles each way for hand pruners! So, I'll probably again resort to an online purchase.

When looking for the planters DH asked the manager why they were no longer carrying their usual selection. The manager told him that they'd had such a dismal '07 season plus today's economic headlines they made a company decision to reduce inventory levels for this season.

This was on Mother's Day. They had people standing in line 10 deep trying to order flower bouquets. The garden center had actually RUN OUT OF FLOWERS because they'd so reduced their inventories. People were angry because this garden center has been in business for 50 years & people depend on them.

The selection of broad-leafed evergreens was pathetic. On Mother's Day weekend one could reasonably expect to see a nice variety of azaleas, rhoddies, etc. Nope, just a few PJMs & the standard 'See All Over Town' rhoddies. The perennials were mostly quart pots...very few gallon-sized. The hosta selection was almost non-existent. Even their annual selection was reduced to bare bones standards like pansies, impatiens, etc.

Anybody else noticing lack of inventory?

/tricia

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Comments (7)

Penelope
15 years ago
I'll bet you're right that it's the economy. BUT, for plant materials anyway it could also be the weather. We talked a couple of weeks ago to an arborist/landscaper who's going to be doing some work for us and he mentioned that the commercial nurseries he used were late getting things in.

I wonder, too, how much is due to the cost of shipping things due to the gasoline prices.
diggingthedirt
15 years ago
Triciae, I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I hope you are able to stay active in your garden and enjoy yourself. The garden buddy seat seems like a great idea for you - I have one and I love it.

Our local Mahoneys, as well as the 2 small, local nurseries I've been frequenting (so far!) this year are fully stocked and doing phenomenal business. Mahoneys was empty when I went there in March (OK, I admit, I was pushing the envelope!) which scared me a little, but I think they were just keeping the greenhouse colder than usual and didn't want a lot of tender stock on hand. One small place, an RF Morse branch, is not opening this year as far as I know, but that's the extent of the down-turn.

I will do my absolute best to make sure the local nurseries have a great year. I generally drop enough money at each of them to keep the national economy of some of the smaller nations afloat, but this year I'll feel especially good about it; 'Just doing my part'.
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sedum37
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Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I wonder if you can call ahead and ask if something is in stock before driving somewhere? I have done this and usually the garden centers will try to answer over the phone (obviously not the discount stores or box stores). I have found it is best not to call weekends (different staff on weekends) and to try to pick a time late morning or after lunch -- 1 PM later) when staff is working but not overwhelmed by customers.

I have noticed that the centers seem less stocked with annuals but I had assumed this was due to the cold weather we've had so far. I can't believe how cold in the season it is at night. Our heat is still coming on and we usually try to shut if off the end of April most years!
runktrun
15 years ago
Sorry to hear about your lupus diagnosis, I hope you are treating yourself to a new garden hat with a wide brim to help keep the sun off of you.
It has been such a warm and beautiful spring which is so unusual for my location that my gardening clock is all mixed up as are my expectations of nursry stock. Generally because of our cold spring temperatures and warm fall season I tend to grow many late blooming plants that have yet to show up at my nurseries. Currently stock does seem a little low but I'll report back June 1st. Although prices are up from last year I must admit I expected them to be much higher due to oil prices. kt
defrost49
15 years ago
I heard sales were up at our local farm and feed type stores but that was for seeds, veggie plants and baby chicks. More people are putting in vegetable gardens. I'm glad you continue to garden despite your diagnosis. Have you asked if these items can be ordered for you by the store that usually carries them? However, I realize the store may not be able to special order things. I started doing some phone calls when I was looking for a viburnum that didn't grow too large. It turned out a nursery I haven't visited in years had a decent selection of shrubs but I was disappointed in the selection of annuals at several locations. It seems there is a smaller selection of varieties. I scrambled to get some scented geraniums last weekend at the only place I knew to have them this year.
Marie Tulin
15 years ago
There's plenty of inventory at the few nurseries I've been to. My disappointment is my local farmstand which now sells such big pots of plants. Everything is huge and 10.99 each. Not bad for a big pot, but I guess people don't want to wait and watch a plant grow. Oddly enough, in addition to "Plants That Grow in the Sun" and ".....Shade" marketing strategy, there are tiny pots of plants for 3.99 that are marketed as "Plants for Nooks and Crannies" (I don't remember what line of plants these are, but the pots are printed like advertising ) Also some smaller perennials are with the container gardening items. And the fountains they sell are getting uglier and tackier by the week. I'm getting quarrelsome about water features.
runktrun
15 years ago
I'm getting quarrelsome about water features.

If my ESTATE was large enough to support the scale of the monstrous fountains out there today I surely wouldnÂt be buying a plastic knock of from Home Depot! kt

Garden Center Inventory Levels

Comments (7)

Penelope

diggingthedirt

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