No matter what color your thumb, turning a patch of bare earth into the envy of the neighborhood takes quite a bit of green. American households spend about $350 a year on gardening and lawn care, according to the most recent annual survey by the National Gardening Association. Cheapism.com set out to find the best garden center for a novice on a budget and found a winning combination of price, inventory, and service at Home Depot, where a predetermined list of plants and supplies totaled $173.92.
A selection of similar or identical items came out to $172.16 at a nearby Lowe’s, a difference of less than $2, although employees there didn’t seem to have the same level of expertise. At Walmart, a lower total of $164.69 didn’t reflect lower prices but rather a more limited inventory: The superstore didn’t stock a desired plant that other garden centers sold for between $9 and $17 -- more than enough to erase any advantage. Kmart carried only about half the products on the 14-item list and all but one were cheaper elsewhere.
Cheapism’s recipe for a starter garden called for essential tools such as a hose and a trowel, garden soil, vegetable seeds, and low-maintenance plants that would thrive in partial shade and afternoon sunlight. Setting up such a plot proved doable on a budget of less than $200 at the national chains but not at a local independent garden center. Even without an oscillating sprinkler, which wouldn’t be in stock until later in the season, the total came to $270.96 -- about $100 more than any big-box store.
Here’s a closer look at the rankings:
- Home Depot charged higher prices than second-place Lowe’s for garden implements including a hose and a rake but lower prices for certain plants. Primroses, for example, cost $13.20 for 15 plants, compared with $18.75 at Lowe’s. In the well-stocked garden center an experienced veteran was ready with planting tips and practical money-saving advice.
- Lowe's featured competitive prices across the board and a similar though slightly narrower selection than Home Depot. Employees offered contradictory advice, however, and staffers had to consult a reference book when asked about deer-resistant plants.
- Walmart displayed an ample inventory of tools and supplies but considerably less in the way of flora than the home improvement stores. The staffing was also relatively thin and the only source of gardening advice was a hobbyist who worked in the electronics department.
- Kmart lagged well behind the other chains in stocking its store for the season. It provided only one trowel and one bypass pruner from which to choose. A meager display of plants at the front included none on the list and stood in contrast to entire greenhouses brimming with foliage. The only employee in sight was friendly but lacked any knowledge of the inventory.
Many consumers assert there’s better value to be found at independent garden centers. Cheapism noted impressive employee expertise at a local nursery and a vast number and variety of plants, although not as many gardening implements and supplies and often far higher prices than the national chains.
Many big-box stores head off concerns about quality with one-year guarantees: Customers who keep their original receipts can dig up plants and trees that don’t last and bring them back for replacements. To find plants with the best chance of flourishing, try these tips from HGTV Gardens. Consumers in the know also recommend finding out when shipments are due to arrive at big-box stores. That allows access to plants that haven’t had a chance to fade under inadequate care and to knowledgeable distributors who may be able to offer advice.
Cheapism’s research was limited to a particular suburban market, and despite the chain stores’ quest for consistency, the customer experience may vary elsewhere. Certainly independent garden centers are known for their uniqueness. What have you found at the garden centers in your area?
Related from Cheapism:
Full report on the best garden centers
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