What Garden Centers Should Provide You When You Buy
Last updated May 2019
After you have purchased your plants, take a few final precautions. First, get a receipt that includes:
- Name, size, and grade of each plant
- Number purchased
- Date
- Price of each plant
- Guarantee (duration; whether it covers costs of delivery and planting; percentage of cost covered and whether percentage is based on purchase price or price at the time of replacement; what customer must do to keep the guarantee in force)
If you plan to have the plants delivered, the receipt should indicate delivery date, delivery charge (if any), and planting charges (if applicable).
If plants will be delivered, have the store tag them. To be extra cautious on major purchases, take pictures of your selections; otherwise, it may be hard to argue that the store has delivered the wrong rosebush or broccoli rabe plant.
Obtain the following information on each plant you buy, and retain it as long as you have the plant—
- Latin name and common name of the plant—necessary for obtaining advice on the plant months or years later
- How to plant it—size and depth of hole, whether to fertilize and stake, recommended soil for planting hole
- Desirable amount of sun and specifications for drainage
- Proper care—pruning, feeding, and spraying requirements
- Whether you can expect fruit or flowers
