Best value garden center

wicorthered

Hi all. Just moved into a new house and I'm hoping to get the garden in shape for the summer. The house is eating my money so I'm looking to do the garden as cheap as possible, but still want it nice. What would you consider the best value garden center in South Dublin? Would you get better value in a woodies or B&Q?



I'm hoping to plant some shrubs and flowers in a rockery at the bottom of the garden. I have a patio so I'm hoping to buy some planters and pots and pot some flowers in those.


Any advice ideas appreciated.

macraignil

wicorthered wrote: »

Hi all. Just moved into a new house and I'm hoping to get the garden in shape for the summer. The house is eating my money so I'm looking to do the garden as cheap as possible, but still want it nice. What would you consider the best value garden center in South Dublin? Would you get better value in a woodies or B&Q?



I'm hoping to plant some shrubs and flowers in a rockery at the bottom of the garden. I have a patio so I'm hoping to buy some planters and pots and pot some flowers in those.


Any advice ideas appreciated.

Not living near Dublin so can't give specific advice for your area but as with other types of shops the best value is usually to be found by shopping around. Some places will make their profits on certain items and sell other products close to cost as what I think marketing people call a "loss leader", to give the impression you are shopping somewhere that has good prices. The B & Q in Cork I visited a few months back was the worst "garden centre" I had been to in quite a while with a poor range of plants and some of those on display in very poor condition. They also had very little in the reduced to clear section which in a good garden centre can be the place to get cheap plants that just need a bit of extra care to grow just as well as the full priced ones.

If you have the patience you can get better value for money by growing from seed but then your plants will take longer to reach a size that will make an impact in the garden. A good range of seed is available from this Irish site but I have not ordered from them myself yet. If you know anyone with an interest in gardening they may be able to offer you some plants for free as sometimes plants can be divided or will grow well from cuttings. There is the option also of growing from seed you can collect but this can involve letting fruit rot down before planting and is even a more long term option.

J Cheevor Loophole

Don't know if you know Mount Venus Nursery in the South Dublin foothills but its worth a look for sheer choice of plants. In terms of value its stands up well to the bigger stores mentioned. They specialise in perennials, which I find, in the long run work out much cheaper than instant impact / colour. Also with perennials they can be mostly divided in time to maximise their value.

rolion

My way of dealing is:

if i know what i want or need, i'm going to Woodies or B&Q to get it

If i dont know what i need or what want or "wish"... i'm going to my local garden centre that has a gardener / specialist on site and i can have a decent chat with the staff.

Either way,enjoy it !