Spring fever affects not only the average American teenager. It seems to have an effect on the avid gardener, too. That is the most likely season when he is primed and ready for plant shopping. Who can blame him? Everything's in bloom and vibrant and beckoning to him and his wallet. The irony here is that while gardening is a relaxing hobby, shopping for the garden isn't.

Since every gardener worth his green thumb seems to be at your local nursery, it might be difficult to get personalized attention. We asked the old players at the gardening game for their tried and tested formulas for plant shopping. Mama might have already told you this, but try not to shop during weekends. Any day during the week is good, but midweek is the best as shoppers are too busy trying to tide over the week.

Go with a rough estimate of what you might need, but be willing to take the salesperson's suggestions as well. He will be able to guide you if you have your layout details and budget with you.

Keep your eyes peeled for how well the nursery treats its plants, though. If you feel the plants aren't taken care of, or have been neglected, go to another. Check for the "safe day" in your region, i.e., when frost is just past. For e.g., April 15th is the safe day in Memphis.

It is advisable to do a little homework before you begin shopping. Read gardening magazines and talk to your neighbors. Don't try to accommodate everything into a couple of months. Do it over at least 3-4 months so that your garden or landscape is given time to evolve.

It is best to shop all through the year and not wait till spring to shop at one go. You would want your garden also to be in bloom by spring, so adopt savvy shopping strategies. If you limit your shopping to spring, chances are you might be drawn to only spring-flowering plants.

Know your garden, right from the soil and the grass to your flowers and fixtures. You might be left fumbling when you shop if you don't know your garden in and out. Make the effort to know the botanical names of your plants, for it is precise information and chances of going home with the wrong plant are minimized.

Don't restrict yourself to only the nurseries - check out the local supermarkets, merchandisers and garden centers.

Now, here comes the magic word - Look for fall sales! You will end up paying far less than what they would cost in spring.
To put it simply:
" Plan carefully. Make a list based on color, variety, etc.
" Dedicate a large portion of your garden to plants that are available locally; they are acclimatized to your region.
" Annuals bought before the last frost date should be protected and well watered - not soaked.
" Shop on weekdays.
" Choose plants with more buds.
" For bigger plants, opt for larger pots.
" Keep an eye out for plants with yellow foliage or weak stems. Avoid them.
" Gently pry and spread the roots before planting.
" Use slow-release fertilizer. Don't forget to feed your plants additional fertilizer every four weeks or so.
" Water your plants.

If you like Gardening....These pages might also interest you:

Allium Directory, Amaryllis Directory, Begonia Directory, Crocus Directory, Daffodils Directory, Dahlia Directory, Hyacinth Directory, Iris Directory, Lily Directory, Tulip Directory

Also see:

A Love Affair With Gardening, Charming Camillias, Firescaping, Gardening for the Family, Garden Rodents, Garden Catalogs, General Gardening Tips. Gardens in the Shade, Hot Summer Cool Garden, How to Plant Leeks, Involve Your Children, Outfits for Gardening, Photograph Your Garden, Plant Care Basics, Using Leaves as Compost, What to Avoid Buying Guide, Cheap Garden Ideas, Creating Garden Berms, Garden Fragrances, Garden Lessons, Gardening for The Challenged, Gardening is Great, Gardening Math, Gardening Tools, How to Use Peat, More About Gardening, Love affair with Lilacs, Organic Gardening, Slow Down and Enjoy, Smart Plant Shopping, Tips for Beginners