I've just been to a very big garden centre near me. More of a small shopping mall really as there are franchises in there for shoes, clothes, cards and so on. I had a nice lunch in the cafe, which is huge. I came away having only bought a birthday card however as the plants seemed really expensive. There were actually coaches full of older people arriving for a day out. There are several GCs like this around here and I sometimes drop in to one in my gardening clothes when I need something. The looks I get from people in their Sunday best is very amusing, they don't look like they ever go near a garden, let alone get their hands dirty!
I recently discovered a small nursery near me too. It has probably been there for ever but I didn't know it existed until a flyer came through my door. The plants were obviously mostly self propagated, good quality and reasonably priced. The proprietor was working away potting on but was very friendly and helpful. I bought quite a bit of stuff and will definitely go back. I imagine it is quite hard to make a living out of this sort of place though when you have to compete with the slick chains and supermarkets but this is the kind of place I like to spend my money in.
Thank you Tall Paul! Some other ideas include offering planting plans for newbie gardeners, based on criteria of shade, soil etc and size of bed, with planting instructions and care details for every plant and of course making sure they're all plants stocked in the garden centre....
I think all garden centres are missing out on my great idea....
Have a few small sample gardens all planted up in different styles, with all plants clearly labeled. Then have areas set aside with all these plants potted up and labeled. That way customers can get inspiration from the sample gardens and see the plants growing and working well together. They can then go and grab the plants they want from the display area and buy them.
But Jontydoggle had that idea on the previous page. I think it's a great idea.
I would like a good choice of healthy plants at reasonable prices, tools, equipement, fertilisers, weedkillers etc a good coffee shop and a nice clean loo.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
Buzy-Lizzie - great minds think alike! I was trying to explain to my boyfriend the other day how women will judge a restaurant on how clean their loo is - because if they can't be bothed to clean their loo, how dirty is their kitchen.... He didn't really get it....
I like to see good quality plants, a tidy GC. Great composts and soil improvers. Plants you can grow in your locality, preferably locally sourced. Unusual plants. Umbrellas keep customers outside even if its raining. Toilet as above - sparkly clean and smell free. No debris about. Good tools and equipment - if you don't have it - can order it to arrive within a few days. Decent and reasonably priced Delivery service - small cars are sometimes a challenge to get long items in e.g. bean poles. Reference books for looking up plants or PC to do that with (would need to bolt that one down).
Essential to me are staff who know what they are talking about, plant and possibly design wise. My local GC always has a lovely display of plants in flower by the in door as a sample of what's in store. Good luck
Last time I bought my seed potatoes and onion sets. Also some tulips (it was a few months ago!).
Lead farmer,
I agree with your vision. That's why I am a big fan of Barnsdale. They sell most of the plants you see in the demonstration gardens in the nursery. They even have a stand as you exit the gardens with "plants that are looking good now" for sale. They are also reasonably priced and great quality. As it is only 30 miles or so away from me the plants all seem to do well in my garden, presumably owing to the climate being similar, also because they are good plants.
How about hire a expert for a day where a knowledgeable Gardner visits a client’s home/garden and gives advice also a garden design service lots of new houses have just a lawn. With wall to wall fencing
Large tool Hire.
Organic produces at sensible prices example homemade nettle/comfrey tea.
Demo days
Friendly staff that are not trained to avoid eye contact and customers’
A nice Sunday market, even a farmers market
Be seen to be part of the community, hold fun raising day
Good quality plants at sensible prices is the bottom line for me. Knowledgeable, friendly staff. Lots of information about the plants.
We were at a large garden centre recently, arrived just after it opened on a Sunday morning and the staff were busy dead heading plants - that's a sign that they care about what they're selling.
I've been to far too many garden centres of late which are really no more than box shifters and staff have little knowledge and even less interest in what they are selling. Plants which were too far gone even for the compost heap left for sale etc.
Posts
I've just been to a very big garden centre near me. More of a small shopping mall really as there are franchises in there for shoes, clothes, cards and so on. I had a nice lunch in the cafe, which is huge. I came away having only bought a birthday card however as the plants seemed really expensive. There were actually coaches full of older people arriving for a day out. There are several GCs like this around here and I sometimes drop in to one in my gardening clothes when I need something. The looks I get from people in their Sunday best is very amusing, they don't look like they ever go near a garden, let alone get their hands dirty!
I recently discovered a small nursery near me too. It has probably been there for ever but I didn't know it existed until a flyer came through my door. The plants were obviously mostly self propagated, good quality and reasonably priced. The proprietor was working away potting on but was very friendly and helpful. I bought quite a bit of stuff and will definitely go back. I imagine it is quite hard to make a living out of this sort of place though when you have to compete with the slick chains and supermarkets but this is the kind of place I like to spend my money in.
Good luck if you decide to give it a go!
Thank you Tall Paul! Some other ideas include offering planting plans for newbie gardeners, based on criteria of shade, soil etc and size of bed, with planting instructions and care details for every plant and of course making sure they're all plants stocked in the garden centre....
I think all garden centres are missing out on my great idea....
Have a few small sample gardens all planted up in different styles, with all plants clearly labeled. Then have areas set aside with all these plants potted up and labeled. That way customers can get inspiration from the sample gardens and see the plants growing and working well together. They can then go and grab the plants they want from the display area and buy them.
Simples.
But Jontydoggle had that idea on the previous page. I think it's a great idea.
I would like a good choice of healthy plants at reasonable prices, tools, equipement, fertilisers, weedkillers etc a good coffee shop and a nice clean loo.
Buzy-Lizzie - great minds think alike! I was trying to explain to my boyfriend the other day how women will judge a restaurant on how clean their loo is - because if they can't be bothed to clean their loo, how dirty is their kitchen.... He didn't really get it....
I like to see good quality plants, a tidy GC. Great composts and soil improvers. Plants you can grow in your locality, preferably locally sourced. Unusual plants. Umbrellas keep customers outside even if its raining. Toilet as above - sparkly clean and smell free. No debris about. Good tools and equipment - if you don't have it - can order it to arrive within a few days. Decent and reasonably priced Delivery service - small cars are sometimes a challenge to get long items in e.g. bean poles. Reference books for looking up plants or PC to do that with (would need to bolt that one down).
Essential to me are staff who know what they are talking about, plant and possibly design wise. My local GC always has a lovely display of plants in flower by the in door as a sample of what's in store. Good luck
Verdun,
Last time I bought my seed potatoes and onion sets. Also some tulips (it was a few months ago!).
Lead farmer,
I agree with your vision. That's why I am a big fan of Barnsdale. They sell most of the plants you see in the demonstration gardens in the nursery. They even have a stand as you exit the gardens with "plants that are looking good now" for sale. They are also reasonably priced and great quality. As it is only 30 miles or so away from me the plants all seem to do well in my garden, presumably owing to the climate being similar, also because they are good plants.
Jonty
How about hire a expert for a day where a knowledgeable Gardner visits a client’s home/garden and gives advice also a garden design service lots of new houses have just a lawn. With wall to wall fencing
Large tool Hire.
Organic produces at sensible prices example homemade nettle/comfrey tea.
Demo days
Friendly staff that are not trained to avoid eye contact and customers’
A nice Sunday market, even a farmers market
Be seen to be part of the community, hold fun raising day
Just a few suggestions, I hope it helps
James
Good quality plants at sensible prices is the bottom line for me. Knowledgeable, friendly staff. Lots of information about the plants.
We were at a large garden centre recently, arrived just after it opened on a Sunday morning and the staff were busy dead heading plants - that's a sign that they care about what they're selling.
I've been to far too many garden centres of late which are really no more than box shifters and staff have little knowledge and even less interest in what they are selling. Plants which were too far gone even for the compost heap left for sale etc.