A major benefit of visiting a full garden center instead of just a nursery or hardware store is that you can buy both the plants you need for your garden as well as the supplies for planting and tending them. It is up to you to know what to look for when purchasing plants at the garden center, and the following can help you make the right choices. 

1. Where Was the Plant Grown?  

Location may not matter much for short-lived annuals such as garden vegetables and flowers for seasonal color. If you are putting in a longer-lived perennial, whether it's a small flower or a large tree, check the label to see where it was seeded and grown. Perennials grown near your climate or in a climate zone similar to you will be better able to deal with the local conditions, making them more likely to thrive. Ideally, the plants you choose will be native to your area or at least well suited to local climatic conditions. 

2. How Are the Plant's Roots Doing?

Roots are one of the first things to check on any plant you are thinking of purchasing. If possible, slide the plant out of the pot to check the roots. They should be healthy with no signs of mushiness or rot. There should also be visible soil between the roots, not just a mass of tangles. If you can't slide the plant out, check the drainage holes. Masses of roots growing through the holes or soil so dense you can stick your finger into it through the holes are signs of root-bound plants that may not survive transplanting.

3. Are There Any Troubling Health Symptoms?

Plants typically don't get individual care in a large garden center, so sometimes small problems aren't immediately noticed. It is up to you as the consumer to check each plant you choose. Avoid those with yellowing or dead leaves or those with any signs of leaf spots or damage. Stems should be firm and straight, but the plants must also be full so they don't appear leggy. Also, take a few moments to check along the stems and on the underside of leaves for any signs of pests or diseases, like aphids or fungal growths. 

A garden center is a great one-stop shop for both stocking up on supplies and plants, but make sure you are prepared before you visit.

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