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Garden centres

richhondacrichhondac Posts: 222
edited December 2018 in The potting shed
im just wondering is there any good garden centres left, around Mansfield they all seem to have the same selection of pots, compost, tools, general tat and small selection of plants.

it seems to me that the only chance of getting something different is to look on line or go to a flower show 




Posts

  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    You need to try to find the small independant nurseries rather then the chain garden centres.  Sadly their numbers are diminishing as they simply can't compete on the unit cost which the large GC chains can demand of their suppliers.
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    My mum sold bedding plants and some of my unusual stuff for over 50 years, in the Mansfield area.This year she has decided to pack it in, sales are down and she is 85.  She gave a lot to the hospice shop to sell. They got more for it than she was getting. Greenhills nursery closed down. The nursery/garden centre at Skegby is up for sale, but will probably close down.  The main culprit seems to be Morrisons and B  and Q., despite the limited range.  People pick up plants there when they do their shopping.  People who want rarer stuff get it online, and delivered direct from the grower. If you are prepared to go a bit further, The Wyevale garden centre at Findern, just off the A38 at Derby is good.  Tansley nursery near Matlock have a good selection If a bit pricey.  If you want to go in the Newark direction, Norwell nursery has a good selection of unusual stuff. You can browse their lists online. The garden/display area is a nice area to visit in the summer.
  • DubloonDubloon Posts: 45
    Independent is definitely the way to go as it seems to be for restaurants, hotels etc. these days. Conglomerate chain stores drive down prices and stock to the detriment of quality and range. We have some cracking independent garden centres near Edinburgh which are a joy to visit even just for a wander. I would also suggest a thorough online search; there are a number of independent plants people and smaller suppliers that deliver quality and good prices. I have recently come across You Garden an online supplier; I was wary at first but the range and quality of product has been outstanding. Customer service good also in my experience. There's nowhere to stop for a slice of cake online though! 
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    I visited a few independant nurseries and garden centres this year and some of them were truely inspirational. The chain stores tend to be more of the same with none of the personal touch to them but the independants can have real character. I came away from my visits with new ideas and plans which I'd never have got buying online or from a rack of sad looking plants outside Asda.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • fattoadfattoad Posts: 1
    Collyer's nursery in Borrowash is pretty good if you're ever down Derby way :)
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    edited December 2018
    @richhondac , I can confirm what others have said about independent outlets. I do not know your area but we are lucky here  we are near enough to two main areas where there are several good GC and nurseries. The RHS plant finder book list a lot of independent, and specialist growers all over the country.
    AB Still learning

  • richhondacrichhondac Posts: 222
    I didn’t know that there was such a thing as a plant finder. I’ll give Collyers a try this summer thank you
  • PhaidraPhaidra Posts: 582
    I'm lucky enough to have a small place not too far away who answer most questions for me!
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Agree with Allotment Boy ; get the RHS Plant Finder for a list of some really good nurseries .
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    edited December 2018
    Here's the link for the Plant Finder: https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/search-Form
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
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