The Best Garden And Plant Nurseries

Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

Buying plants from a garden center or plant nursery is a way to pick up healthy plants that are naturalized and ready to plant. Garden centers and plant nurseries don’t always serve the same clientele, so it can help to know the difference between the two. With these types of businesses, you may pay a slightly higher price because you’re getting healthy plants that have been professionally grown.




Some other details to keep in mind when visiting a garden center or nursery to choose plants for your garden include:


• Choosing the right plants for your gardening zone
• If you need help learning how to garden
• If you want to practice organic gardening
• The type of gardening you want to do, including container, hydroponic and permaculture

What is a plant nursery?

A plant nursery is an agricultural facility that starts and grows plants to an age that’s appropriate for selling. Plants can be started from seeds or cuttings and grown in greenhouses or nursery fields. Additionally, some nurseries only sell to other businesses while others sell to the public.

What defines a garden center?

A garden center is a retail establishment that sells plants and gardening supplies to the public. Some garden centers also run plant nurseries to provide customers with plants. Some other garden centers purchase plants wholesale from nurseries and sell the plants at retail prices to the public.

Is it cheaper to buy plants at a nursery?

It usually costs more to buy plants at a nursery. However, the plants purchased from a nursery are generally healthier due to being raised by an agricultural professional. That can include naturalizing plants that were started in a greenhouse to withstand outdoor weather conditions.

How do plant nurseries work?

Plant nurseries start seeds in soil that meets optimum growing conditions. When seeds sprout, growers tend to the seeds by watering and watching for signs of disease. Nursery workers can also use cuttings to start some types of plants. Plants are then sold to customers or buyers for other businesses.

How do I buy plants from a wholesale nursery?

To buy plants from a wholesale nursery, you usually need to get a vendor’s license so wholesalers can sell to you without adding sales tax. Additionally, you typically need to have your business registered with the state and have a business checking or credit card to complete the purchase.

What are the different zones in gardening?

In the United States, Canada and Mexico, there are 11 growing zones. These are also called hardiness zones. A 10-degree Fahrenheit difference divides each zone. Different plant types thrive in each zone. The coldest zones are in Canada, and the hottest are in Mexico and Hawaii. The bulk of the zones are in the United States.

What gardening zone am I in?

You have a couple options for finding your gardening zone. One way to find your growing zone is by searching for it on a site that sells seeds or plants. Another way to find your growing zone is by searching for your location on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to find it.

Where do I buy organic seeds for gardening?

To find organic seeds for gardening, you can browse through printed seed catalogs for organic seed product listings. You can also search the internet for sellers in your area who sell organic seeds. Additionally, you could join a native grower group that shares information about native plants and growing organic plants.

What is a master gardener?

A master gardener is a volunteer who has been trained by a local extension office to help new gardeners succeed. These volunteers have experience with all types of gardening and usually participate in the program to share their love of gardening with novices.

How do I become a master gardener?

To become a master gardener, contact your local university extension office. Go through the training provided by the master gardening program to get certified. Finally, put in the required annual volunteer hours to maintain your certification as a master gardener volunteer.

How does gardening help the environment?

Gardening helps the environment because plants provide a natural source of natural noise reduction. Plants provide food for pollinators, including both birds and insects. It can also help reduce the amount of carbon in the air. However, when pesticides are used in gardens, it can have a negative effect on pollinators.

What is hydroponic gardening?

Hydroponic gardening refers to the process of growing plants in a water-based solvent instead of dirt. The solvent contains minerals the plants need. Additionally, substrate, such as gravel or Perlite, can be added to the base area to provide support for the plants that are growing in it.

What is permaculture gardening?

Permaculture gardening uses native plants that are right for the climate in a given area to use what already works best for that space. For example, plants that are ideal for growing in dry areas are planted in areas that stay dry most of the season. Permaculture gardening helps native pollinators thrive and sustains natural ecosystems.

What is container gardening?

Container gardening is using containers, such as flower pots and basins, to grow plants indoors or outside instead of putting them in the ground. It’s easy to adjust the size of a container garden to accommodate available space. Additionally, it’s a way for someone who doesn’t have room for a traditional garden to enjoy having some plants.

Are worms good for gardens?

Worms are very good for gardens. While tunneling through soil, worms eat decaying matter and excrete it as usable soil. The tunneling process aerates soil so it can drain and plant roots can spread out more easily. Additionally, worms neutralize the pH levels of soil and make it more fertile for growing a garden.

Is pressure-treated wood safe for vegetable gardens?

Pressure-treated wood that was produced after 2003 is safe for vegetable gardens. Pressure-treated wood that was produced before 2003 contains what is now a known carcinogen, chromated copper arsenate (CCA), which was applied back then as a treatment. Alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) or copper azole (CA-B) are safer and are applied to pressure-treated wood today.

Is Roundup safe for gardens?

Roundup is considered safe for use in gardens as long as the directions are carefully followed. It can be used to treat the ground before planting, followed by a three-day wait before putting plants in the ground. This is because Roundup kills any plant it touches, but it breaks down quickly in the ground.