With gardening season fast approaching, eager gardeners everywhere are already preparing for the growing season. From starting cool-season crops to getting a jump on garden planning and browsing the gardening section of your local superstore, there are many ways you can get in the spirit—even if it’s still cold outside.
But is it too soon to start purchasing gardening supplies for the year? With stores already displaying their spring and summer stock, it can be tempting to start stocking up. However, we asked the experts—just to be sure.
According to gardening pros, here’s when you should buy gardening supplies for the year.
Meet the Expert
- Tammy Sons is the founder and CEO of TN Nursery, an online plant nursery based in Tennessee.
- Andrew Porwol is a seasoned garden and landscape expert and founder of Sapcote Garden Centre based in the UK.
When Is the Best Time to Buy Gardening Supplies?
The experts agreed that the best time to buy gardening supplies depends on several factors. These include the type of supplies, whether you’re aiming for a wide selection or cost-savings, and even your climate.
“If you’d rather have a wider selection, especially on seeds or bulbs, and avoid sell-outs, shop for your supplies in January or February,” says Tammy Sons, founder and CEO of TN Nursery. “Keep in mind that the prices may be higher during these times when compared to buying closer to season.”
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The Best Time to Buy Seeds and Bulbs
In general, it’s best to buy seeds and bulbs just before planting. That means bulbs should be purchased in late summer to early fall for fall planting and seeds in early to mid-spring. However, if you want specialized varieties, you may need to plan ahead to ensure you get your hands on some before stock runs out.
“Winter is when many companies release new seed varieties, so it’s the ideal time to get heirloom or rare varieties,” says Andrew Porwol, founder of Sapcote Garden Centre.
For bulbs, this may be midsummer. But if you’re happy to shop the regular stock, the experts agree that waiting until planting time is totally fine. You may experience some stock shortages, but standard varieties are usually restocked quickly until planting season has passed, so you should be able to find what you need without worrying about stocking up ahead of time. Plus, many nurseries and superstores will hold sales and promotions during the planting season, so staying on top of those is a great way to save some money on your gardening supplies this year.
The Best Time to Buy Trees, Shrubs, and Plants
Trees, shrubs, and plants are usually best purchased during the growing season. Specifically right before you plan to transplant them into the ground.
However, depending on your climate, you may be able to get away with purchasing plants towards the end of the typical growing season and plant them just in time for overwintering to make the most of end-of-season sales.
“Purchasing trees, shrubs, and perennials in late fall, when nurseries are offering steep discounts on their remaining inventory, is an obscure tactic,” Porwol says. “Many people believe that planting should only take place in the spring, however, planting in the fall enables root systems to form in time for the following growth season.”
Climate matters here, though. If your area experiences harsh, cold winters, you have to give your plants enough time to establish healthy root systems before the first frost—even for hardy perennials. However, if you’re one of the lucky ones whose area experiences mild winters, don’t be afraid to take advantage of those deals.
The Best Time to Buy Soil and Fertilizers
There is no need to rush out and buy soil and fertilizers early. The experts agree that it’s best to wait and buy these items mid-season or as needed.
“Waiting until it’s almost time to plant is preferable for products like soil, compost, and mulch because keeping large amounts of them in varying temperatures can cause mold growth, moisture retention, or nutrient depletion,” Porwol says.
These types of products are frequently restocked throughout the year, so you never have to worry that your favorite store will run out. Additionally, you’ll find that soil, fertilizers, compost, and mulch regularly go on sale during the growing season, so it’s best to wait for the sales to stock up.
The Best Time to Buy Tools and Supplies
If you’ve been gardening for a while, it will come as no surprise that the best time to buy tools and general gardening supplies isn’t before or during the growing season—it’s right after the season has ended.
As soon as the temperatures cool and the first hint of fall hits the air, you’ll find stores everywhere offering steep discounts on tools, supplies, and leftover gardening materials.
Unless you’re looking for a rare or exceedingly popular tool, now is the ideal time to purchase all the items you’ll need for the following growing season. A little planning and forethought will go a long way—your future self will thank you for this one.
