I want to start this post off by saying that there is no way that Target should replace the need for a “real” garden center. It’s not possible for a generalist to do a specialist’s job as good as the specialist. Know what I’m saying?
Now that I’ve got that guilt off my chest, I really have to take my hat off to Target for the strides they’ve made in their garden section. I think it’s a great place for a busy person to grab a few things while also picking up a gallon of milk and a package of socks. I also saw decent quality tools, pots, ornaments and furniture at reasonable prices. And their plants, well there’s room for improvement there, but you can get some good deals on interesting plants at Target too.
Seed Starting
This is the area of Target’s garden section that first caught my eye. Target carries a line of eco-friendly seed starting products from Burpee. I saw biodegradable fiber pots (both single pots and ones formed into six packs) and seed starting trays made out of a biodegradable plastic made from corn. This is definitely a move in the right direction for both Burpee and Target. Though I was disappointed that these products were right next to a whole bunch of Scott’s and Miracle Grow products. The disconnect was pretty strange.
Of course, Target also carries plenty of seeds, both from Burpee, and a line created especially for Target under the Sean Conway brand. I don’t have any experience with the Sean Conway seeds, but I’ve had good success with Burpee.
Containers
I was also really impressed with Target’s selection of pots. It was by no means “huge” but they had many different attractive options in several different styles, from modern to ethnic to traditional. Glazed, terracotta, metal, plastic, etc. They were all at very reasonable prices. I don’t think I saw a pot for more than $50, and that was a large glazed pot that would cost $20 more somewhere else. I should also point out that Target had several nice looking hanging baskets and I was happy to see they were lined with coir, which is more environmentally sustainable than peat moss.
Tools, Ornaments & Lighting
I saw lots of options for container gardeners in this department. Target has tons of solar powered lights in all sorts of different styles that you can buy one at a time. They also had plenty of small statues, fake mushrooms, funny little gnomes, and the like, perfect for nestling in a pot.I also spotted a few water fountains and bird baths. Target also carries a line of tools from Fiskars which looked solid, but obviously at the $12.99 price point you’re not going to be handing the pruners down to your grandchildren. They had gloves and garden clogs too.
Plants
I saved the plants for last because I think this part of the garden section still needs to most work. Target has done a great job improving the diversity of plants they offer, and I really appreciate that they offer a large number of drought tolerant plants in their Southern California stores. But some of the offerings are just gimmicks, like the seed kit above. No one can grow roma tomatoes and basil plants in a small windowbox-shaped pot. I hope these sort of items aren’t good sellers.
And while I understand that you can’t offer plants at great prices and still afford to hire first rate horticulturists, a little training on proper watering would go a long way. Every time I’ve walked through this department I’ve seen plants that are dying because of either too much or too little water. I’ve also seen plants that have been there for awhile that would look a million times better if someone would just cut off the spent flowers.
Final Thoughts
The point about high quality nursery staff is one I want to end on. I feel mixed emotions about publishing this post. Target’s great prices come at the cost of experienced staff that can advise you about how to plant a tree or which plants are good for adding color in a shady spot. While you can buy a lot of plants without really needing assistance, when you do need that help, I can tell you from my own experience how valuable a well-educated, experienced nursery person can be.
I’m worried that if Target starts eating into nursery profits (or if it already has), they won’t be able to hire as many good quality employees. Also, a few thousand square feet in a Target store can’t possibly contain the diversity of plants that a few acres of an excellent nursery can accomodate. Basically, I’m concerned that if I shop at Target today, I’ll regret the lack of nurseries to shop at tomorrow.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve always been a fan of Target, fast checkout lines, cleanliness, great prices, easy to find products, etc. Having said that, I’m not sure if Target will be my go-to place for plants. After seeing your post I will definitely go there for gardening products. But I’m still gonna to go my local nursery for plants and gardening advice.
This is an on-going issue: Big chain stores versus the independent garden centers. I think a store like Target can do gardening accessories very well — they’re a simply, non-living product like everthing else they stock. For plants… not so much. It takes knowledgeable staff not only to help you find good plants, but to keep them in good condition and to choose a selection that will thrive in your local climate (I’m always seeing plants which should NEVER be sold here in Michigan at these sort of places). The reality, though, is that those pots and so forth have a much bigger profit margin than the plants! To survive, nurseries are really going to have to step up the information side of their service — knowledgeable staff who can really help you choose plants, design a garden, and everything else.
I understand your torment at posting this about Target. I love Target. Unlike Walmart (which I haven’t stepped foot in in over 10 years), they treat their employees well and they give a lot back to the community. I like their attention to detail as well. For example, they made their aisles wide so Moms could push both a cart and a stroller down them. Try that at Walmart.
But nothing about Target compares to my love of the local nurseries. So knowledgeable, so wonderful. It’s important to have real people who care about plants when you’re buying them.
I think you made the right choice on your post.
I’ve bought some surprisingly good solar garden lights at Target in the past, in their garden section. In general though, I’m far too picky for Target’s selection. I’m glad you covered this though!
They always have cute kids gardening stuff. A lot of indie garden centers don’t carry garden tools and stuff just for kids.
Don’t do it! I understand how difficult the hypnosis of Targets and WalMarts can be to resist, but you can’t fall into it. If I need a cheap toy for a nephews birthday, I’ll go to Target (sorry, little brat) but when it comes to the food that goes into my body (especially by way the earth’s soil) I’m staying away. You’ll not only regret the eventual lack of nurseries in your area, you’ll soon be consuming the select products one large corporation says you can have. The Burpee products they currently carry are there to stop environmentally-friendly consumers from buying elsewhere. However, once there is no “elsewhere” those products won’t be available any longer. You’ll buy what they say you buy.
Sean–I respect your opinion but I don’t subscribe to that sort of conspiracy theory belief system that ascribes a bad intent to any big company that tries doing something “good.” I think Burpee is offering those products in response to consumer demand for them, not because they’re on a mission to squeze smaller seed companies out of business.
I think it’s not a terrible thing that Target and other big box stores are sprucing up their garden centers. It definitely makes it easier for newbies to take a step into gardening – by both making it affordable and a friendly transition through a familiar forum. And anyone who gets into it will likely soon head to the local nursery to find more variety and help. Someone who already sort of knows what they’re doing knows to go to the nursery for real advice, healthy plants and variety – and can use a big box to get better deals on certain supplies. So for now I don’t think it’s the most terrible thing in the world. What I would like to see them do since Target is generally community-oriented is partner up with local nurseries to make sure they’re stocking regional appropriate plants, educating their garden staff, referring customers to people with more knowledge, and perhaps some contracted once a week help with properly tending their plants.
As to the Sean Conway seeds, I’ve tried them and they seem to be pretty good quality and an interesting selection.
Love target for toilet paper and lip gloss but like Louise it’s not my go to place for plants nor do I know anyone that goes there specifically for plants. The Target folks are very clever though because I will ALWAYS wander into the garden section. I’ve purchased a plant or two; definitely seeds but I’ll buy seeds anywhere. I am an addict.
Because of the lack of experienced staff I don’t think you, I, or our local nurseries have anything to worry about. Low prices will not beat superior quality and service.
*Excellent post!
Adriana–You wear…lip gloss? I don’t believe it.
Sean–Where do you think Target gets it’s plants?!
I never said tat Burpee was offering eco-friendly products because they are trying to put other companies out of business. I’m not quite sure where that came from. I’m talking about Target here, not Burpee.
I feel your pain – I was almost embarrassed by my surprising appreciation for Target’s garden section this year. I won’t buy seeds there, but I am kind of a snob about seeds. I did buy my newest pair of pruners there, though – I went to master gardener class without them, had to drive by Target on the way, they carry Fiskers & are open at 8AM….
Mostly, I think Target appeals to that sort of “inexpensive and vaguely stylish” demographic in the middle, and their improved garden section is just indicative of how popular growing stuff is becoming. I am still dumping money into my local nurseries, but I’m fascinated by the idea of Target producing and supplying worm composting systems, etc. Yeah, you can make your own worm composting system, but I really think the world is better with more people composting, so I can’t be mad about Target coopting vermiculture.