Nature's Reward Farm Market — Local services in Point Pleasant

All outdoor plant and flower sellers are NOT equal. The big box stores may be the best bet. Their growers are the very same growers that also provide plants and flowers to the mom and pop roadside stores. But, there is one big difference...the box stores and bigger plant and flower outlets STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS! Meaning that if there is a problem, they REPLACE dead plants and flowers! Recently, I bought four Hibiscus flowering plants. Mind you, I have bought Hibiscus plants for the last 10 years AND never lost one of them. My family believes I take better care of my plants than I do them! For the first time, this year I bought the four Hibiscus from a local roadside plant place on Route 88 in Point Pleasant. Just wanted to support a local business in my home town. Several days after I planted them, I noticed that the new buds just fell off. Within a week the leaves turned yellow and started to fall off. I researched on the Internet and it was clear the plants had Spider Mites. I sprayed the plants with a specific mite killer as recommended. Too late. By the end of 10th day after planting the plants were almost completely defoliated. These potted plants, in front of my home, now look like sticks with a few leaves on them. I went to the place of purchase and told my story. The person there told me, "I am just an employee and I can't do a thing for you. You will have to talk to the owner". For the first time, I learned that the owner is actually Bill Borowski, the owner of Nature's Reward on Bridge Avenue in Point. So, I went to Nature's Reward and spoke to Bill personally. I explained the situation, and he said, "All my plants are healthy and I have had no problems with the Hibiscus". Then he said, "Take pictures of the plants and send them to me, and I will show them to my grower". I agreed and did what he asked. I got a message back that said,"Looks like you have Spider Mites, and if you don't act other plants may get the same infestation. I am just trying to help you out here and you probably got the infestation from other plants or from your neighbor's plants". First, plants do not get an infestation in several days that destroy the plant in less than 10 days. They already had the infestation! Second, I have many plants in my yard and no others are infested. I suppose that he was saying to me, Buyer Beware and tough luck! The truth is that I did not inspect the plants carefully. There were a few dead leaves on the plants, but I simply dismissed them as lack of watering. I also did not ask beforehand, what the replacement policy was. I was stupid in assuming that the policy of replacement was uniform among sellers. Silly me! I guess what I expected was..."I am sorry you had a problem. Select four more as replacements" Again, silly me! I learned a lesson...don't expect retailers to be honest and reputable. Look over merchandise very carefully and ASK about the return policy beforehand. Apparently, at Nature's Reward there is NO RETURN POLICY! If a plant dies it is assumed that it was your fault! Reputation, customer satisfaction and happy customers are not a concern at Nature's Reward. From my perspective that is an odd position for a local business to take. Especially, when repeat business is a MUST for local businesses! For me the decision is easy...back to Home Depot or Lowe's.

PS Two Hibiscus planted in my rear yard are so beautiful and spring flowers so often that they are a pleasure to gaze at. I bought them...

My daughter and I found this market on our trip to the shore. I wanted to tell you that your produce is delicious. The Asparagus was phenomenal. We can't find such fresh produce in our grocery stores in Bayonne. It was refreshing. May I also mention the attendants were very friendly and considerate. Thank you. We'll come again, and we will recommend your farm store to all...

We heard about this market at The Beanery in Point. The tomato in our sandwiches were as good as Jersey Tomatoes at peak season. We stopped on our way home and were not disappointed. Went back the next day and bought more, plus fresh broccoli, peaches (which were also ripe and delicious) and strawberries. Definitely going back until our...