Plant Those Flowers For Your Rentals

Spring is finally here! Grass is turning green, flowers are blooming, the days are longer, and people are getting the urge to go shopping for plants for their rental properties. Where to go to buy their plants becomes a big question for a lot of people. Is it better to buy from local nurseries, order from catalogs, shop at the discount warehouse stores, or spend a little more time and save a lot of money by begging friends for saved seeds and plant divisions?

Shopping for plants at local nurseries for your rental properties has several advantages. Because the plants are locally grown they are already acclimated to the climate, soil type and pests in your area. Local nurseries also tend to specialize in plants native to your geographical area. This could be a great way to support your local wildlife by establishing a garden dedicated to the plants the insects, birds and other animals in your region use for food and shelter. Shopping locally almost always guarantees better customer service and healthier plants. And if a plant dies it is much easier to replace locally. You can also feel good about supporting your local economy.

Shopping for plants by mail order for your rental properties can definitely be the way to go for more adventurous consumers. Most reputable mail order companies do have a money-back guarantee on all of their plants. However it could take weeks or months to get your money back or a replacement plant. Getting you plants from mail order companies means the selection is limited only by your finances, location and garden size. The plants you receive from mail order companies are generally bare root, first year plants and in the case of perennials do not expect flowers the first year. You will however find some great bargains. Most common perennials and annuals are sold in specials like buy 2 get 1 free, or buy 5 and get 1 free. Most companies will also ship your plants for free if you order over a certain dollar amount.

Discount warehouse stores lack the variety of plants and cultivars found at local nurseries and mail order companies. Shopping for plants for your rental properties at a warehouse store might be more convenient as there seems to be one on every street. Plant shopping can be combined with weekly shopping which will save you time. Like all of the other goods these stores stock, plants will be less expensive. However, the quality generally goes down at the warehouse stores. Plants are shipped from a grower usually located in California, Texas or Florida. The plants are stressed from shipping since they are not watered during transit. The plants, once they arrive at their destination, have to cope with a different climate, small containers, indifferent care from employees and high nitrogen content in their soil. The high nitrogen promotes green growth at the expense of the roots so what looks like a vigorous plant generally is not. If you do not mind coddling the plants you can get some really good deals on very basic perennials and annuals. Another drawback: if the plant dies, you do not get a refund or a free replacement.

If you are a patient and thrifty gardener planting divided perennials is the way to go for your rental properties. The drawbacks: you are limited to what is growing in your friends and your own garden. And the divided perennials take several years to become established, so no flowers and a lot of bare ground for awhile.

Shopping for plants this spring for your rental properties, however you decide to get them, should be an exciting and rewarding experience.

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