Comments regarding Nichols Garden Nursery

I had always heard great things about Nichols but never had occasion to buy plants from them until last month. I wanted unsprayed (or organic) herb plants for a birthday gift. I ordered them via the website, but the order never went through. When I learned that (several weeks later), I re-placed the order, which went through. The plants were being sent to SF (from Oregon), so I wasn't concerned about the shipping via USPS 1st class, and they did arrive within a week. However, from what the giftee says, the plants were not in good condition. The most expensive plant, a Bay Laurel, was tiny and the leaves were tattered. I am/was very disappointed and wrote a note to Customer Service on their website, but have not heard anything back. I'm very surprised that they sent out plants that weren't in good shape. Perhaps it isn't a good idea to buy plants except in the spring.

Sells seeds that were packed for an earlier year. For example, gretel eggplant seed (the fruit of which is very small with tough skins) sold to me in 2010 came in a packet that said "packed for 2009."

"On Jul 16, 2012 1:21 PM, Nichols Garden Nursery responded with:

The seeds you refer to were sold and listed as clearance at a much reduced price and indeed were packed for 2009. We do, however, run germination tests on all discontinued items. "

I won't be buying from them anymore. In late November 08 I placed an order with them and was told on the Order receipt that the Yard Long Red Noodle Bean was in backorder. It said, "Temp Out will Follow 2-3 Weeks".

Well, I never heard from them and it's been over a month and a half so I emailed them. I had to emailed them 3 times before they email me back with some stupid comments. Now what kind of customer service is that????

Few weeks later, they finally sent me my backorder and oh my gosh I could not believe the idiots sent it in a flat envelope with no bubble wrap- DUH! So all the seeds were crushed and I emailed them. They said they would send me another packet with a better envelope. Well it's been two weeks since that last email and have not seen my backorder yet.

I ordered Egyptian Walking Onions from Nicholls Garden Nursery. There were supposed to be 15 sets. What I got was 6 sets that were a good planting size, and 9 sets that were miniscule. If they advertise 15 sets, then all 15 sets should be close in size. The 9 were 1/4 the size of the 6 good sets.

I also ordered a set of 2 wooden garden trellises. The picture looked good. What I got was unsanded wood, with instructions that were unclear, accompanied by instructional photos that were impossible to decipher by someone who has had no experience in assembling items such as these. I had to go to my local hardware store so the employees there could show me what the pictures were telling me to do.

Unacceptably low germination rates on seed--zero to 15% on varieties where I normally expect 80% or better.

I've never had much luck with their seeds. When planted right next to the same or a similar variety from another supplier, I've routinely gotten poor to no germination. I haven't ordered from them in several years, and don't plan to again.

I am sorry to say that I have never had much luck with the seeds I've ordered from this company. And I've ordered repeatedly, thinking it must be my hamhandedness.

I have to say I was very disappointed in my order from them. I'm interested in putting in a Lavender garden and they have several unusual varieties. I ordered as soon as the new catalog arrived in January and ordered several packets of flower seeds as well as 15 lavender plants. The seeds arrived sometime in Feb. with a note that the plants would ship in the spring (naturally.) By the middle of May, the weather here in zone 7 was hitting 80 degrees and I'd heard nothing from Nichols. I called the office, and was told they'd get back to me with the order status the next day. I heard nothing. I called again several days later and while they were sympathetic they still had no idea what had happened to my order. I had to call a 3rd time and re-fax my order form to them. They said the order would go out the next day. It finally arrived during the long Memorial Day weekend while I was away and sat in the lobby of my building. Half of my order was not enclosed with only a brief explanation that they would not be shipping it--no reason or apology.I called to enquire and they said that El Nino rains had affected most of their stock (fair enough, but tell me upfront). Half the plants were dried out and several others soaked and rotted. At the moment only one small specimen survives. Their operation is certainly low-tech, but it shouldn't be no- service.