PSA: When buying plants from nurseries

Put your hand on the dirt around the base of the plant/leaves. Turn the plant upside down, tap or squeeze the pot gently to loosen it, and take the pot off. Make sure the roots of the plant are visible at the bottom and around the sides of the pot.

The reason I say this... I bought a lot of plants this year from Garden Depot and Cheap Sams. I'm just getting around to planting them and I'm finding that they pulled a fast one.

The pots were six inches in diameter, which command a higher price than smaller pots, since they are supposed to be older and more hardy.

But when I took them out of the pot, most of the dirt fell away and I was left with a perfect mold of a 3 inch pot. The roots were still in the shape of the smaller pot. They hadn't even teased the roots. They just took the 3 inch plant out and plopped it in a bigger pot and upped the price by a dollar or two.

If I had known when I was there, I would have given them a piece of my mind or just not bought the plant. I'm pretty sure these plants came from Garden Depot (Dept) in Coram.

And if they had a problem with me checking the roots, I'd have a lot to say about that too. The only reason I could think of that they would possibly be upset about that is if they were mad that they were found out!

Re: PSA: When buying plants from nurseries

Oh that is a great tip.
Garden Dept has very rude workers ! IMO

Re: PSA: When buying plants from nurseries

wow, wouldn't have thought to do that. I guess I'll never know if I was ripped off or not from them. But I have always had a good experience there otherwise. Everyone has always been very helpful and informative at Garden Dept. in Coram. I'll keep this in mind the next time I shop there. Thanks Greenfreak!

Re: PSA: When buying plants from nurseries

Great tip, thanks ! I never would have thought to do this.