Gardener’s Supply Company: Success grows out of passion to improve the world

What makes Gardener’s Supply Co. so special?

Growing a garden takes time, patience and a love for what you are doing and trying to accomplish. For many, it’s a family affair where we work together for years to create the landscape of our dreams.

Over time and hard work, our gardens take shape and that dream becomes a reality.

I can’t help but think the same sense of accomplishment of creating that garden of our dreams is the same feeling staff of Gardener’s Supply Co. (Link to website) experiences with their genuine success. Since 2009, the Burlington, Vermont company, that has become synonymous with gardening at its finest in the United States, has been 100 per cent employee-owned.

Why should we care?

Like we gardeners in our own yards, staff are passionate about ensuring the commercial and mail-order garden nursery grows into a success. The company’s impressive website clearly illustrates both a love for everything gardening and a wish to share that enthusiasm and success with gardeners.

“Through employee ownership we remain passionately committed to our founding vision – to spread the joys and rewards of gardening, because gardening nourishes the body, elevates the spirit, builds community and makes the world a better place,” the website states.

A mail order and shopping website just for gardeners

Unlike other massive mail-order firms that offer everything you can think of including gardening accessories, Gardener’s Supply Co. (link to Website) is focused on one thing – gardeners.

Being co-owners means that staff:

• care deeply about our customers and their successes in the garden;

• sustain a vibrant focus on gardening;

• support a strong social mission;

• take care of our communities and one another;

• and work hard to safeguard the increasingly fragile planet we’ve been entrusted with.

Okay, their hearts are in the right place, but how can they help us and our gardens?

Just one look at their website and I think most would agree that this is no ordinary commercial gardening on-line store and website.

For example, these five galvanized planting pots (above) combine rustic and modern, are the perfect addition to a patio or deck.

Offering everything from essential garden tools to unique garden implements, many that are designed and manufactured in their own facilities, Gardener’s Supply is a website that helps us take our gardens from the ordinary to the exquisite. And it’s not just the products being offered on the website or through the printed catalogue, the garden information on their website is a fount of knowledge for both new and seasoned gardeners.

Browsing the site is akin to wandering through your favourite mega garden store without the crowds.

You will find areas featuring garden supplies obviously, separate areas on Planters and Raised Beds, Yard and Outdoors, Indoor Gardening, your home and kitchen accessories as well areas that focus on seeds – everything from vegetable seeds to seed starting supplies, grow lights and stands.

There is also a separate area just for gift ideas.

Gardener’s Supply on a mission to improve the world

But it’s their focus on creating a better world that is hard to ignore

On their website they provide visitors with the causes the company believes in.

“We’re on a mission to improve the world through gardening. We stand up for our beliefs, give voice to those who can’t, and serve as an ally to gardeners everywhere.”

Just a few of the areas they focus on include: Pollinator protection, youth gardens, soil regeneration and fighting hunger.

Gardener’s Supply helps the hungry

A Garden To Give program, where the company encourages gardeners to grow extra vegetables to donate to the needy through Ample Harvest, is just one example of where the company takes action. Their garden nursery in Vermont also includes raised gardens where all the produce is donated to the needy.

Gardener’s Supply helps pollinators

The company’s extensive information about pollinator protection shows that they are not just paying lip service to the protection of pollinators and not just honey bees.

Gardener’s Supply helps children

When it comes to kids and gardening, Gardener’s Supply not only runs a Kids Club at three of their facilities but provide further information about the importance of gardening for Youth.

(If you are interested in getting your children or grandchildren involved in gardening, be sure to read my article on Why kids need more nature in their lives.)

Back to products, accessories and other fun stuff.

Woodland/wildlife gardeners will first want to go directly to the Yard & Outdoors tab and head over to the Backyard Habitat area of the website where they will find separate areas on Bee Bug & Butterfly Habitats, Beekeeping Supplies, Bird Baths, Bird Feeders, Bird Houses and Songbird Tweets.

The Acorn Bird Feeder alone is simply outstanding.

Much of what they offer is of the highest quality, especially the items they design and build right in their own workshops. They may not be the most inexpensive items you’ll be able to find, but the high quality turns many of the items into garden works of art, or, at least, items you will enjoy for years to come and possibly pass on to your children or family members.

For wildlife enthusiasts, Gardener’s Supply Co. offer a range of bird baths including ones made of copper, butterfly houses, a butterfly puddling stone, oriole feeders, elegant bat houses and hummingbird feeders just to name a few of the treats for woodland/wildlife gardeners.

The home decor tab features everything from boot trays to keep the mess outside, to furniture that helps to bring the outside in. There’s even a heart-shaped concrete table top planter ideal for a miniature succulent display.

I could tell you all about the site, but it’s best that you check it out for yourself.

Does Gardener’s Supply Co. deliver all over the United States?

Yes, Gardener’s Supply Co. delivers to all 48 states contiguous states. (For information, check out the specific information on their website.) Shipments to Alaska, Hawaii must travel by 2nd Day Air (select FedEx - AK, HI). Orders shipping to U.S. Territories travel by parcel post (select USPS-International) and will arrive in two to four weeks.

Note: At the present time, Gardener’s Supply does not ship to addresses outside of the U.S. and its territories including Canada and the United Kingdom.