You’ve been patient for months allowing your garden to take a much-needed rest. But now little green shoots are starting to peek up through the brown mulch and bumble bees are beginning to stir telling you it’s time. It’s time to garden!
Every year as I turn the calendar to May I start to crave color outside my window and a little dirt under my fingernails. And just at the same time, our local garden stores are readying their shelves to welcome us back! Whether you are an avid master gardener, new to the growing scene, or simply just love to wander the aisles of a spring garden center, the Twin Cities has options. The local garden centers are the perfect place to go to get personal answers, incredible inspiration, and helpful tips to make your garden shine.
Here are 12 of our favorite garden centers to bring inspiration and ideas to your garden this spring and summer!
Bachman’s | Seven Twin Cities locations
Bachman’s needs no introduction. Since the first garden plot was planted by the Bachman family in 1885, this greenhouse and floral business has served the Twin Cities with the very best selection of landscaping needs. Not only do they have a unique selection of plants, I also love coming to browse their artistry in container gardening and landscaping. Their gift and garden selection is also so fun to browse for inspiration and gifts.
Egg | Plant Urban Farm Supply | 1771 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55104
Do you have dreams of being one of those cool homesteaders with backyard chickens and incredible gardens to harvest? But you also live in the city? Then Egg|Plant is the place for you. Their name says it all–they can help you raise chickens and grow plants. They have seeds, houseplants, gardening supplies, and just about everything you’d need for preserving your harvest at the end of the season. It can be intimidating to start either of these hobbies, but the folks here want to help make it accessible to more people.
Gerten’s | 5500 Blaine Ave E, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
Gerten’s is a fourth-generation garden center and landscaping service widely known to have some of the best selections of plants and trees not just in the spring, but all season long. Plus, much of their stock is grown right on site so you know you are getting well-cared for plants.
Highland Nursery | 1742 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55116
Every time I drive by this small but mighty garden center, I’m drawn in by the incredible pots and containers. But inside, there is so much more to this treasure of an urban garden center. They are known for having some of the best prices on trees in the Metro plus Minnesota native plants and indoor houseplants.
Leitner’s | 945 Randolph Ave, St Paul, MN 55102
If you’re looking to find a different experience from big box garden retailers, this is the place to explore. Leitner’s makes a point to stock unique and interesting plants and floral choices, with personal knowledge on how to choose the best plants for your home. I’ve also been told this is a great place to stock up on firewood for your backyard campfire!
Lilydale Garden Center | 941 Sibley Memorial Hwy, St Paul, MN 55118
Continue your St. Paul garden center crawl with another great small and personal local garden center. They offer beautiful fountains and containers for creating an artful approach to gardening. Sometimes you just don’t want to walk for what seems like miles to find the garden products you need. The smaller stores are a wonderful place to wander and be inspired.
Lynde Greenhouse & Nursery | 9293 Pineview Lane, Maple Grove
Another garden center with more than 100 years of service, Lynde grows a variety of local plants and flowers in their greenhouse for you to bring home to your own gardens. In addition to their array of plants, they offer landscaping services as well as workshops and events.
Mother Earth Gardens | Multiple Locations
Mother Earth is my mecca every spring. Their store is small enough so I don’t feel overwhelmed, curated with the very best and unique options, and always ready to lend support with questions. But most importantly, they care about the earth. This means they make it their mission to choose plants and gardening products that have been grown, produced, and delivered in sustainable ways. This is your one-stop spot for all things organic and locally grown.
Southview Garden Center | 50 E Crusader Ave, West St Paul, MN 55118
When you’re in West St. Paul, bypass the big box store for a more personal experience in the same location at Southview Garden Center. They offer the same needs–annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, and bulk landscaping materials like mulch and river rock–just with a cozier local feel.
Sunnyside Gardens | 3723 44th St | Minneapolis, MN
I walked into Sunnyside Gardens last spring because they were the only place that sold a very specific seed I wanted (Watermelon Cucumbers! They are a delight to grow!) But then I walked out with so much more than I planned! They offer such cute items for small gardens and many lovely examples of container gardening art. It’s like a floral museum.
Tonkadale Greenhouses | 3739 Tonkawood Rd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
The West Metro adores this garden center in Minnetonka for one of the best selections of indoor and outdoor plants for the home. They started with growing African violets but now offer a wide variety of container gardening needs and services.
Wagners Greenhouses & Garden Center | 6024 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419
In a city with many family-owned garden centers, Wagners is another one to not be missed. They offer annuals, perennials, nursery stock, herbs, veggies, gardening accessories, and gifts. Plus, they never feel overcrowded and picked over like other garden centers of their size. Plus much of what you find at Wagners is locally grown and affordable.
