Is it worth it to buy your plants online right now? It seems like a relevant topic considering that most of the nurseries are closed or at the very least have limited hours due to COVID-19. So, I thought I’d share my experiences with shopping for plants online!
Alternatives to shopping for plants online
Honestly… I’d rather get my plants in person so I can see them and pick the ones I want. There’s no doubt about that. Usually the only time I turn to online shopping is when I can’t find a specific plant that I want in the local area… or if I see a really great deal.
Call your local nursery
? So, first, I’d recommend calling your local nursery to see if they are open. I’ve noticed that a few of them around me are actually taking orders even though they’re not open to the public. And, you can place an order and schedule a no-contact pickup. So that’s definitely a great option and a great way to support a local business during this terrible economic situation we’re in.
Go to a home improvement or farm supply store
? Additionally, you could risk taking a trip to Lowe’s, Home Depot or even farm stores like Agway, Tractor Supply, etc. These stores are open for business in my area and from what I hear they are selling plants.
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Are plants purchased online different from ones at the local nursery?
In most cases… yes the plants you purchase online will be different than what you would typically see in the store. So, here I’ll give you an idea of what to expect and what you should look out for before “adding to cart.”
Plants purchased online are usually smaller
✔️ First, getting plants online is NOT the same as getting them from the nursery. The majority of online retailers will sell you very small or even “bare root” plants. My experiences have been positive, overall. However, don’t expect a big beautiful plant to show up at your door. Usually it’s a very small plant that will take a bit to get established and grow. Which means… it will take longer to look great in your garden… boo!
The shipping dates may surprise you
✔️ You should also pay attention to the shipping date ?️ because a lot of online retailers will NOT ship the plant immediately after you purchase it. Sometimes it will be a week or a few weeks later… but I’ve had other experiences where I wasn’t paying attention and actually had to wait for a fall shipment of a plant I ordered in the spring. So… pay attention to those shipping times!
?️ Where to shop for plants online
If you want to shop online, here are some places that I’ve personally purchased from with good results. I’m sure there are many, many others to try but I’m just going to stick with what I know for this.
Nature Hills Nursery
Nature Hills online nursery is an excellent place to shop for plants online. They have a GREAT selection (honestly, it’s huge) and often have free shipping on orders over a certain amount. The plants I’ve ordered were healthy but also on the small side. So, keep that in mind when you’re ordering.
Fast Growing Trees
I’ve purchased trees and large shrubs from this online store several times. Fast Growing Trees is a place I’d recommend, especially because they have options for purchasing larger, more mature trees and shrubs (if you’re willing to pay a bit more). The trees and shrubs I ordered from them were accurate to the sizes described on the website and were very healthy when they arrived.
Select Seeds
I love getting me seeds from Select Seeds online… so definitely check them out. Recently, I also purchased some annual black-eyed susan climbing vines and they arrived in perfect condition. They were actually A LOT bigger than I expected and arrived in less than 2 weeks. I’m really pleased with the condition of the plants I received from them. And the seeds too.
Brecks
I have ordered so many bulbs online from Brecks. They have a lot of really unique varieties of tulips and bearded iris to choose from. Brecks offers lots of other plants too but my experiences at Brecks are only in the the tulip area. You could order some tulips right now and have them shipped in the fall so you can plant them for next year. It seems so far away right now but fall will be here before you know it!
Facebook Marketplace
If you’re a Facebook user you could check on the marketplace for locals who are selling plants. Many people divide their perennials in the early spring so they may be selling divisions at a reduced rate! Still a bit of an iffy situation because you’ll have to meet them out somewhere but it may be a good option for you!
Etsy
Etsy is another surprising place to find some nice plants online! Many Etsy sellers are shipping plants to your door and that’s a great thing. Just an FYI: Etsy is a marketplace for individual sellers. So, you’ll need to make sure that the person you’re purchasing from is legitimate. The best way to do this is to check the sellers reviews before you buy.
Where do you shop online for plants? If you have any good recommendations let me know in the comments below!
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What Blooms with What?
Never know what to plant together? Find out with this FREE Plant Pairing Guide and become a pro at combining plants for the best garden design possible!
