Regularly review your existing plant collection to avoid purchasing duplicates and ensure new additions complement your garden design. Consider scheduling this review annually or seasonally to stay organized. Keeping a database-style table (using Excel or Google Sheets) or pinning pictures with names on your Pinterest, is invaluable for managing your collection effectively. These tools help track plant varieties, their locations in your garden, and any specific care instructions, ensuring you make informed decisions when browsing online plant catalogs.

Determine how much you’re willing to spend on new plants and stick to your budget. Online catalogs offer a wide range of options at different price points, so setting a budget will help you narrow down your choices and avoid overspending.

However, be mindful of the balance between quality and rarity, versus quantity and price range. Sometimes, it’s worth paying a little more to obtain the plants you truly want and need.

Whenever possible, consider purchasing plants from locally-based online catalogs or nurseries. Supporting local businesses not only helps to stimulate the local economy but also reduces the environmental impact of shipping and transportation.

Consider also visiting local nurseries to compare prices and availability. Buying in-store sometimes means purchasing a rooted plant rather than a bare-rooted one, ensuring faster garden establishment.

Compile a list of online catalogs to streamline your plant selection process. Include both general plant nurseries and specialty nurseries that offer plants you’re interested in, such as peonies or lilies. National and international associations can be valuable resources for exploring vendors.

For example, when I became interested in peonies, I found a useful list of vendors on the American Peony Society’s website. Having a list of potential sources handy allows you to easily browse through multiple catalogs, compare offerings, and find plants that best suit your garden needs.

Some online catalogs operate on specific opening dates, and highly sought-after offerings may sell out quickly. To ensure access to your desired plants, stay informed about these opening dates and prepare to select early. You may even order a printed catalog from these companies if they publish one.

It’s helpful to create a wishlist in advance, possibly based on the previous year’s offerings, enabling you to swiftly add your preferred plants to your cart once the catalog opens. Proactive planning is key to securing your favorites before they’re out of stock. I have peony friends who are among the first ones when a peony vendor announces its opening!!

Keep an eye out for discounts and special offers when browsing online plant catalogs. Numerous online nurseries provide promotions, especially during specific seasons or if you sign up. These offers can help you save money, especially when they include perks like free shipping. Additionally, some promotions are tied to a minimum spending threshold, making them too tempting to resist in most cases!

However, be cautious of false sales; some catalogs inflate their “regular” prices, making discounts seem larger than they are.

As a prudent step, consider placing a small initial order—a sort of test order—to assess the quality of plants and evaluate the level of customer service provided. This approach enables you to make informed decisions and ensures a satisfactory experience with your online gardening purchases.

Additionally, check reviews about the plants themselves to ensure the vendor provides accurate information about their characteristics and care requirements.

Prioritize reviewing the payment and shipping policies of the online nursery before placing your order. Read the disclaimer about cancellations, returns, or unsatisfactory received material. Ensure they deliver to your location and that their shipping methods align with the plants you’re purchasing.

Consider questions like: are payments processed immediately or only upon shipping? Are taxes or additional fees applied to special items? International shipping may incur extra costs and may be restricted due to phytosanitary regulations. Additionally, inquire about the nursery’s policy on substituting out-of-stock plants during shipping. Be vigilant about shipping costs.

Pay close attention to plant descriptions, photos, and any specific information regarding planting time, growing requirements, and characteristics. Consider factors like sunlight exposure, soil type, available space, and your hardiness zone to ensure the selected plants are well-suited to your garden’s conditions. However, if you’re looking for indoor plants or annuals, adapt your selection accordingly.

Before placing an order, take a moment to review your cart or wishlist if the nursery allows it. Consider creating a customer profile or accepting cookies from the nursery’s website to facilitate this process.

Before their arrival, review online planting instructions to understand the specific care requirements of each plant. Some may need pre-planting treatments like soaking, while others may require protection from sunlight or frost.

Prepare a designated space in your garden for their arrival, ensuring that it meets their needs in terms of sunlight, soil, and space. Planning ahead and scheduling time for planting upon their arrival is crucial for their healthy establishment. Personally, I’ve found that creating a planting plan for my acquisitions helps streamline this process.

Additionally, have potting materials on hand in case any plants need temporary accommodation or repotting upon arrival.

Providing feedback on your purchase is essential for ensuring a good follow-up on customer satisfaction. Don’t hesitate to communicate with the company, whether you are very satisfied or not. This is particularly important before leaving a negative review on social media or elsewhere.

For example, I never hesitate to inform a nursery if the plant has the wrong identification or if the substitution was not to my liking. A reputable company will offer solutions or reimbursement.

Once you’ve gathered everyone’s wishlists, place a combined order with the online nursery. Not only does this approach help you save money, but it also fosters a sense of community among fellow gardeners. You can share tips, recommendations, and the joy of gardening together while enjoying the benefits of discounted prices and reduced shipping costs.

Before initiating a group purchase, be sure to communicate clearly with your fellow participants to coordinate preferences, payment methods, and shipping arrangements.