Gardener's Supply — Local services in Hadley

For the past 10 years Hadley Garden Center has been one of my “go to” places for plants and garden supplies, even though it requires me to drive an hour from my home. I always felt the trip to be well worth it, as I could always count on them for tried and true perennials as well as the latest in “neat” new plants. The nursery yard was packed with loads of choices and I indulged often, spending a lot on great plants each season.. The staff, an eclectic bunch, was knowledgeable and willing to take special orders for obscure species/varieties, many of which were often filled. Definitely not the least expensive source for plants, but I was willing to pay the reasonable premium to add something new and different to my perennial beds. Well, that has all changed. I knew that the business had been bought by Gardeners’ Supply, but since that company always makes a big deal of the fact that it is a garden company for gardeners I hoped for the best. So, after seeing that the nursery was open, I voyaged northward this morning with anticipation. I would better have stayed home. Nothing on the benches but the most boring of plants. And the prices are staggering; I don’t mind a fair markup, but from what I saw the premium was 50 to 60 per cent above what I can get the same plant for elsewhere. The staff obviously were hired to adhere to a certain appearance; Lots of thin, fit 20-somethings whizzing around-they may know plants, but I am not holding my breath on that, particularly as I saw a number of plants that obviously had not been watered. I felt like I could have easily been at a Home Depot or Lowe’s, where plants go to die. I am devastated that I have lost yet another source for unique plants. My suggestion to those considering a visit: ...

I want to start by saying this place is adorable and has nice plants, very overpriced, but I will always support a local business. Most of the staff is super friendly and very knowledgeable. The cashier on the other hand is not and is most likely giving customers bad advice. I came in yesterday to get this split leaf philodendron (monstera) and it was in pretty rough shape, so I decided to get a new pot for it. When I got to the counter to check out, the cashier ask me with a condescending voice "is that plant going in that pot?" To which I replied "yes". Then they proceeded to inform me that, "that pot is way too big for that plant". This is extremely bad advice considering this plant is suffocating in this tiny pot and should have been repotted quite some time ago. This plant was so root bound that I had to cut the container to get it out and there was more root than soil. You could tell just by looking at it that it was in distress. The best advice I can give is, if you're going to hire someone to work at greenhouse with limited knowledge, maybe train them better before they give a customer with no knowlege bad advice that will most likely end up with dead plants. Unfortunately this interaction may have turned me away from coming here in the future. Pictures have been provided for...

BUYER BEWARE! I placed a simple 2 item order and was sent a confirmation email with an expected 4-9 day delivery. After 2 weeks with no update I contacted them to ask about the order. I was told that they were backlogged on fulfilling orders and that it would be another 2 weeks before I received my order. 2 weeks later I get a shipping confirmation email but when I check the tracking number, UPS says the product has not been received for shipment. After a couple days and no change on the UPS tracking I call again, sit on hold for 45’, and am told they don’t know what the issue is, but they will re-enter the order for me and that I can expect delivery in 4-9 business days. They can’t (won’t) expedite the order. So my order, which should have arrived in 4-9 days, will ultimately take 6 or 7 weeks—if I’m lucky. In addition, I was told that they would credit my shipping, but to date, no credit has shown on my credit card statement. Could have ordered my items from Amazon with quick delivery and a better price but wanted to support a small(er) employee owned company. Won’t make that mistake again.

FOLLOW-UP: Okay, the item arrived a few days later, and they also sent me a second shipment (that wasn’t needed or used). I appreciate the effort, and hope they can resolve their...