Gapers Block has ceased publication.

Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
 Thank you for your readership and contributions. 

TODAY

Thursday, March 28

Gapers Block
Search

Gapers Block on Facebook Gapers Block on Flickr Gapers Block on Twitter The Gapers Block Tumblr


Fuel

Andrew / May 20, 2004 4:46 PM

Gesthemane is just too expensive. We went to another place -- I think it was called Farmers Garden Center -- on Elston north of Montrose. Great prices, good looking plants and starter veggies'n'herbs.

You gotta like a place called Random Acres.

paul / May 20, 2004 5:58 PM

Wait, you city people have room for plants?

Seriously, Jamaican Gardens, Morton Grove kicks Ass. Also if you're into orchids, go to Hausermann's Orchids, Villa Park (http://www.orchidsbyhausermann.com). Acres upon acres of orchids in greenhouses. Otherwise I say big money at Menards.

paul / May 20, 2004 6:00 PM

...er, save

Patrick Jurgaitis / May 20, 2004 9:32 PM

Since plants don't seem to last too long in my 'stead, it's probably best i don't spend too much on plantlife... So while Gethsemane and Jamaican Gardens have nice stuff, the osco parking lot probably suits my needs just dandy.

eliina / May 20, 2004 11:18 PM

Gethsemane is a three minute walk from my humble abode, so I couldn't resist getting my pots and seeds from them. I only have a balcony to work with, so mine is an all-container garden, and the folks over there had some helpful plant recommendations.

armaghetto / May 21, 2004 3:08 AM

I'm also a Gethsemane man myself, but quite honestly, I have a black thumb. I can only manage bamboo.

And pot. (just kidding, officer!)

dawson / May 21, 2004 9:10 AM

A New Leaf has a lot of plants at the 2 stores on Wells St. Home Depot has some nice pots & plants sometimes. And whenever I make a trip to IKEA I have to pick up a new pet plant.

Craig / May 21, 2004 9:31 AM

Although it is a tad on the pricey side, the gardening boutique Sprout Home (on Damen just south of Chicago) had some nice modern-design-inspired gardening products and-- of course-- plants too. A cool place to go for inspiration, if nothing else.

julie / May 21, 2004 11:16 AM

If you're on the north side you may want to check out family-owned Anton's Greenhouse in Evanston. http://antonsgreenhouses.com/
They have great starter veges, shrubs/trees, seasonal plants and flowers and more.
(There's even a 10% off coupon on their website.)

rhumy / May 21, 2004 11:34 AM

the tulip bulb giveaway extravaganza...when does that happen anyway? I'm gearing up

emily / May 21, 2004 11:36 AM

I've always wanted to visit Jamaican Gardens, but for some reason I never have...

I usually just use the Home Depot as a plant resource, and random fruit markets and grocery stores to save dying basil and other potted herbs.

lena / May 21, 2004 11:49 AM

the plant give away was a couple weeks back.
i think the local ace is the best bet, no matter the neighborhood.

sean / May 21, 2004 11:59 AM

While I agree that Gethsemane is a bit pricey, I often find things there that I can't find anywhere else. I used to like The Farmers Market on Elston but lately it seems much of their stock is old or tired looking.
A landscaping friend recommends Home Depot just after the truck unloads. Things tend to get picked over pretty quickly.

buggy / May 21, 2004 12:08 PM

i have had the worst luck buying plants @ home depot. i'll buy a lovely gardenia or houseplant and within a month it will have a disease or an insect infestation or something else equally disgusting. i was actually complaining about this to my mom and she told me that home depot plants are notorious for bringing bugs into the house. so, needless to say, i've given up on buying plants there. i'm actually just about to give up on plants altogether, but i've still got a few that haven't been infected/infested/etc...

'That Ian' / May 21, 2004 1:50 PM

The suburbs -- stores out there leave plants out all night!

jenny / May 21, 2004 3:44 PM

I don't buy plants very often (I can kill them in minutes flat) but I love looking at them...and my favorite place for that is A New Leaf on Wells. Was in there yesterday, as a matter of fact. It's lovely...Narnia for grown-ups.

libby / May 21, 2004 3:53 PM

i like grand street gardens on grand street near leavitt or thereabouts. the staff is ultra friendly and they have classes ranging from scientific-like soil composition to houseplant maintenance. plus, they have pineapple plants.

Gene from Lemont / May 22, 2004 2:49 AM

Klehm's Nursery, for sure. -GL

sarah / May 22, 2004 3:30 PM

sandy and i took andrew's advice from the first post, and had a nice time at farmer's garden center this morning. we walked out with flowers, arugula, basil, tomatoes, thyme, sage, and so much more... that place is packed with stuff and lots of helpful staff.

fyi--it's on elston just north of irving park (not montrose).

ma / May 22, 2004 6:47 PM

when i lived in evanston - i used antons.

now that i don't, and i'm in a crappy west suburb, i regretfully solicit the home depot.

Tove / May 23, 2004 5:46 PM

The best place to buy plants is in Indiana. Uncle John's Flea Market on Rt 41 in Cedar Lake. Go early (8 AM) on any spring or summer Saturday. The vendors charge 50% less than major grocery chains (who they supply), and there is no sales tax. Perannuals and annuals I have had the best results there. If you do not want to drive this far, flea markets in the burbs may have similar vendors. Worth checking out.

anne / May 24, 2004 10:21 AM

The one good thing about Home Depot and Lowes is that I believe they still adhere to a "plant buy back" guarantee. So if you buy a plant or tree or shrub and it gets the ick and dies (excluding black thumbing) within a certain amount of time (I want to say a year, but it may vary depending on species) they'll refund your money.

I've actually seen some nice plants at Whole Foods on Ashland including a "fiber optic plant" which really looks like fiber optic cable. I haven't done my plant buying yet...I'd better get going on that soon...it's almost fall outside.

Gabi / May 24, 2004 11:56 AM

Meinke's on w. touhy in niles has a great selection and good prices. Saturday's are mad - but the 8+ greenhouses are great.

Shannon / August 7, 2004 7:10 PM

I like the Sprout Home at 745 N Damen. They have a really diverse and unusual selection of indoor houseplants and the staff is very friendly and helpful. I strongly recommend checking it out.

GB store

Recently on Fuel

Urban Ethos [26]
What is Chicago's "urban ethos"?

Cool Glass of... [16]
What're you drinking?

Supreme Decision [22]
What's your reaction to the Supreme Court's decision on the Affordable Care Act?

Taking it to the Streets [20]
Chicago Street Fairs: Revolting or Awesome?

I Can Be Cruel [9]
Be real: what is the meanest thing you've ever done?

View the complete archive

GB Store

GB Buttons $1.50

GB T-Shirt $12

I ✶ Chi T-Shirts $15