Twin cities greenhouse & garden center Guide
I’m sharing my most frequented and beloved plant shops, greenhouses, garden centers and nurseries in the Twin Cities. As we approach the gardening season, it’s the perfect time to start planning your visits to your favorite garden stops. Each place has its unique charm and is a must-see for any gardening enthusiast, or local plant lover whether you’re a Minnesota resident or a visitor.
You can never have too many plants.
Gardening can get pretty wild here in May. The garden math begins. All the plants look gorgeous, and you can’t resist filling every ounce of your life with green! Can you ever have enough? The answer is no, never, ever.
Don’t miss out on the busy spring season.
One of my favorite things to do on weekends is to visit greenhouses and nurseries in the bustling spring season. I enjoy spending the day strolling the isles and dreaming up all the plant combinations and garden design possibilities. These plant havens are my home away from home, where all my favorite plant people gather. I love wandering the seed section and hearing all the excited people talk about their plans with one another. Young and old, newbies and experienced gardeners, the lively buzz is exhilarating to be around.
A Locals Spring Garden Guide to Minnesota’s best greenhouses, nurseries, garden centers and plant shops.
One of the things I love most about this time of year is the vibrant energy that fills a greenhouse, the warm sun filtering through the leaves, and the buzz of people buying plants and planning their gardens. In Minnesota, where I’m in zone 5, this gardening frenzy kicks into high gear in May. As a lifelong Minnesotan, I enjoy discovering the best greenhouses, garden centers, plant shops, and nurseries, and I’ve compiled a list of my top 5 favorites in the Twin Cities. Each comes with a few shopping tips and what they are best for. Whether you’re into houseplants, garden decor, perennial gardens, or vegetable gardening, these shops have something for everyone. Here’s the scoop on my favorite MN garden stops in no particular order.
1. Gerten’s Garden Center
Location: Inver Grove Heights, MN
Best For: A little of everything
Gerten's has everything from patio furniture, perennials, annuals, vegetable seedling and houseplants, to bagged mulch, soils, pots and garden decor. They also have every tool and lawn care product you may need for your projects plus they sell bulk soil, compost, mulch and stone. Gerten's also has a beautiful gift section inside, everything you could ever need, all in one place.
Shopping Tip: Shop the clearance plant section.
Check out the clearance plant section. If you are working on a big yard project and need lots of plants inexpensively, this is the place to go. The plants that end up in this section may have a few weeds in them, may not be symmetrical in the pot, or may have already flowered. Typically, they add new plants in the morning to make room for more inventory. The clearance lot is located in the back of the greenhouse, behind the perennial section by the large trees. This is the first stop I make every time I go. I have found some fantastic plants there, like yews, raspberry bushes, hydrangeas, and more. There is no reason to spend a fortune on plants if you don't have to.
2. Tonkadale Greenhouse
Location: Minnetonka, MN
Best For: Unique & wide selection of houseplants & home decor.
I go to Tonkadale for the wide selection of unique houseplants. They have a wonderful collection of tropical plants, succulents, vegetable seedlings, annuals, and perennials. Another reason I love Tonkadale is the beautifully curated home decor, pots, etc., usually organized by color themes. It’s truly a magical place come springtime. The perfect place to find that extra special piece to pull a room together.
Shopping Tip: Check out the Events!
Check out the events! Everything from yoga, pottery, wreath making, flower pressing classes, and more. So many cool opportunities to learn new things.
3. Bachman’s Home and Garden Center
Location: Multiple Locations in MN
Best For: Spring seed selection and home and garden decor.
I love Bachmans for their spring seed selection. They are also carry a wide variety from my favorite seed company, Botanical Interests. Compared to other greenhouses in the area, their plants are on the pricey side, so I stick to shopping here for the seed selection and the home and garden decor. I found my stone birdbath on clearance here last year.
Shopping Tip: Stop by the Lyndale location.
The largest location with the most inventory is the Lyndale location. If you love antiques and vintage finds, this location also hosts the Gathering of Friends Antique Market twice a year.
4. Tangletown Gardens
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Best For: Unique, curated plants and home decor
Unique plants and home decor. Tangletown Gardens has a beautiful collection of flowers and perennials and offers unique home and plant decor you can't find anywhere else. Best for a curated corky, whimsical garden center experience, you won't find the typical big box store stuff here.
Shopping Tip: Check out the CSA!
Check out their CSA and Farm Direct stores. Tangletown Gardens features products from its 140-acre farm in Plato, MN, which follows regenerative agricultural methods. They also own Wise Acre Eatery.
5. Egg Plant Urban Farm Supply
Location: St. Paul, MN
Best For: Backyard Homestead and Chicken Supplies
Urban Homesteading Central. Everything you'll need for your kitchen, gardening, and backyard chicken needs. Think canning, pickling, preserving, supplies plus fantastic books and tons of one-of-a-kind gifts.
Shopping Tip: You can order backyard chickens here.
You can order spring chicks for your backyard homestead and get all your chick supplies here too!
