The Great Outdoors — Attraction in Austin

Didn’t even make it inside. Not going to even try. I was looking forward to checking this place out because of the good reviews but despite not having been inside I already received incredibly rude treatment in the 90 seconds I was there 😂

I went on a busy Wednesday I guess because there was no parking left— they had people at the entrance holding small-ish sign.

I saw “wait in line” the other words I couldn’t read, they were too thinly written, plus there were cars driving up behind me. The entrance of the place was a little confusing. I also wasn’t wearing my contacts but only need them for night driving anyway.

The place has two exits on either side of the entrance. Their large official sign bordered the adjacent business so I pulled into that business thinking that was the entrance. Couldn’t get through from there. Basically, I had trouble getting in & finding the place, especially because it’s right on a busy street and people are driving fast on it.

I finally get to the front and workers at the entrance with the small “wait” sign are motioning to what I thought was the other entrance some 5 feet away, which turned out to be one of the exits. I turn into it, thinking that was what I was instructed to do to. Whoops. Good thing no one was there, it was wide anyway. When I went in another car was coming out and we had space. So, no one was injured or inconvenienced too much.

I’m thinking, they must have told me to go into this opening because there’s a spot there or I could somehow turn around (it was on a long main street). It’s not like there is a line IN the lot, just parked cars. I soon realize there isn’t a spot and as I’m making my way to the other exit, a guy in an orange shirt is trying to talk to me in my car so I roll down my window. I’m thinking he knows where I can park or is going to direct me.

“You have to leave,” he says, somewhat hostile.

Confused, I rolls down my window and I say “what?”

“You don’t listen to us so you have to leave,” he says.

Uhm, was I supposed to hear him with my windows closed and music playing as I’m pulling up to a place I’ve never been to? That initial interaction only lasted like 2 seconds. What do you mean I don’t listen to you? I’ve never seen or HEARD you in my life.

“I’m sorry, I thought you were pointing to the other exit,” I say, startled. (Guess they were motioning me to keep driving instead? Oops. How would that be “waiting in line”?)

“NO, you know EXACTLY what you did, you have to go,” he says, mockingly.

UHM EXCUSE ME?! He literally accused me of having ulterior motives and I’ve never even been to the place. Yeah I made one mistake from a misunderstanding but treating me as if that wrong turn or misreading is such a huge crime? As if I were purposely causing a scene? I’ve been in the place for like 30 seconds by this point.

I just thought it was so rude what he said to me, kicking me out and then accusing me of sneaking in. Why would I do that for some nursery? It’s not exactly an emergency. This isn’t the Apple store during a launch.

I was thinking supporting a local business is better than Home Depot, but I guess never mind. He acted like I was being disruptive on purpose just to secure a spot LOL - a rude & unfounded assumption. And his condescending tone of voice... ugh . I’d never talk to potential clients like that or anyone in general. He or his colleague have better not ever made a single wrong turn driving in their entire lives.

I said “I WILL leave!” Whole thing lasted a minute, from turning into the exit and exiting through the other exit on the other side :-)

I’ll pass on this place just for that. They automatically assumed THE WORST thing, I wonder what else they think about people who spend money at their store. I prefer the other local nurseries in the area, basically anywhere else. Im sure there are other places with better prices and better service. I’ve had really good service at Tillery Co. and their place looks really cool.

Not worth it.

Guess it wasn’t...

I've been raised in gardens and farms and have gardened my entire life and this is by far my favorite plant nursery in Austin (and anywhere...!). Staff are all super friendly and knowledgeable and there's always an interesting variety of plants to choose from. I take my lunch break here sometimes, and spend hours here most every weekend between Feb-Nov because it's so lovely. Sometimes the larger plants can be a bit more expensive than I'm willing to spend, but there are always smaller pots of the same plant (a lot of nurseries here in Austin have just one size!), so I can find one that is more affordable and patiently grow it larger. The rewards program also makes me happier to spend coin when I'd prefer to buy one of the larger plants! I really appreciate the specific selection of organic gardening products and tools inside-- it's saved my patio container garden more than once and my garden is incredibly bio-diverse now, more than I ever thought a sky-rise patio apartment could be! When I started patio gardening a decade ago (always had a field or yard before moving to Austin), I struggled to garden organically and was worried maybe it just couldn't be done (although, when your patio garden's runoff is suspended over someone else's plants and furniture, the impetus to garden organically is even higher). Y'all's selection of stuff helped me figure it out-- thank you!! Thank you also for carrying a lot of dwarf varieties for all the urban dwellers who don't have a lot of room (I've had other local nurseries look at me like I'm crazy or flat out tell me they don't think a patio should qualify as an area to truly garden!). I take all my friends who are getting into gardening here-- it is really laid out well and intuitively for folks to learn about different plant placement and types. Y'all have really figured out a way to make gardening approachable for beginners: five years ago, my husband hollered if he ever saw a bug and could not tell you the name of literally any other plant than a bluebonnet. He always remarked how much he learned every time we went to The Great Outdoors. The other weekend I could hardly believe it: he walked around confidently choosing plants and matching soil mediums for some of his buddies, asking them questions about their patio's sunlight & how often they like to water and how they feel about bees... I'm very happy for his enthusiasm in it and as much as I'd love to take credit for teaching him things, I really feel like it was the approachable vibes and education...

⸻

I’ve been a loyal customer at this plant shop for over four years. The first time I ever visited, I bought a $350 Texas Mountain Laurel, and the associate told me it came with a one-year warranty — if I wasn’t happy, I could return or replace it. Over the years, I’ve spent thousands of dollars here on soil for my garden beds, seeds, countless indoor and outdoor plants, pots/planters, gardening tools, etc.

A couple of months ago, I came in to purchase new Dramm pruners to replace my old ones, but the associate recommended a different brand instead. I trusted their advice, bought them, and unfortunately, after accidentally leaving them outside in the rain one night, they completely rusted. Even though they were supposed to be stainless steel. I tried to return them today and was told “absolutely not.” The way the staff looked at me — like I was crazy for even asking — was humiliating.

Two days ago, I bought five lantanas. I followed the care instructions exactly: same amount of water, same placement. Today, when I was ready to plant, only two survived. Rather than risk planting all of them and losing everything, I went to return them along with the pruners. I was looked at like I had just asked a ridiculous question and was told only two could be returned under their policy — fair enough if that’s the rule, but the way the five teenagers behind the counter made me feel was awful. They treated me like I was stupid for even asking. I ended up telling them to throw everything else out. I had planned to shop for more plants, but after that interaction, I had a knot in my throat and just couldn’t spend another penny there.

I don’t know how long their return policy has been like this — but for what it’s worth, I’ve never once returned anything in all my years of shopping here. It’s really upsetting and disappointing that this is how my relationship with this place is ending.

Most of my interaction was with Madison, but all the staff behind the checkout counter were rude and even appeared to be gossiping about me, with each other, right in front of me. Like teenagers do.

I won’t be coming back, and I would recommend others...