Best time to buy plants and garden equipment
A former garden center manager reveals the seasonal timing for securing the deepest discounts on plants and tools, advising that the best deals come when
The best time to shop for plant bargains is when nurseries need to move older stock to clear space for incoming inventory. Different types of plants have optimal shopping times for bargains based on seasonal inventory cycles.
Garden centers operate in seasons. Inventory comes in waves, demand rises and falls, and space must be made for new merchandise. Amy Draiss, a former garden center manager with 20 years of experience, explains the strategy. "The best time to shop for bargains is when we need to move older stock to clear space for what’s coming next," she said.
Usually the lowest price on plants comes after the peak selling season. Annuals are best shopped for after the initial spring rush. Perennials are best shopped for in late summer into fall. Spring-flowering bulbs can usually be found on clearance very late in the fall or early winter. Seeds can often be found on sale starting in August, depending on the area.
Even if a plant is out of bloom, it may end up on the sale rack. Dormant plants with solid root systems can bounce back in spring. Late spring brings sales of spring-blooming plants and annuals at reduced prices. Summer sees markdowns on seeds, annuals, and summer-flowering bulbs. Gardeners should start watching closely for clearance prices or buy more, save more deals in late summer. Fall is potentially the best time to find bargains along with seasonal equipment markdowns due to low demand.
When to buy gardening equipment for the best prices
Garden equipment follows predictable sales patterns tied to retail events and seasonal demand. Deals on hand tools, mowers, blowers, and hoses align with major retail events, holidays, and Prime Day. For lawn mowers, trimmers, or pressure washers, shop during late fall and holiday sales for deeper discounts and lower demand. Watch for major retail events such as Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday in late fall.
Balancing selection, timing, and need in your garden plan
While early spring offers the best selection, gardeners should avoid delaying essential plants for sales if they’re needed for design. Fall is a good time to buy trees and shrubs, but planting should be early enough for roots to establish before winter. Early spring is the absolute best time for selection of many plants and gardening products, but not for pricing. Buy specific plant varieties as soon as they are available if they are needed. Do not wait all season for a specific plant to go on sale if it is needed for a landscape design.
Expert insight on seasonal shopping strategies
Amy Draiss, now a Digital Community Manager and in-house plant shopping expert, shared these insights as part of the Garden Center Secrets series. She has seen the cycles firsthand. "Usually the lowest price on plants comes after the peak selling season," Draiss noted. Her advice helps gardeners like Laura Walters of Southwest Ohio, who has been gardening for ten years, plan their purchases. The key is understanding the retail rhythm. Gardeners should start watching closely for clearance prices or buy more, save more deals in late summer.
