Late Summer Nursery Deals: What’s a Bargain and What to Skip

The end of summer sales are about to be in full swing. As most of the country heads into fall, retailers are working to clear out their inventory. Shopping end-of-season nursery sales is a great way to score deals on plants and other gear, but only if you shop smart. 

If you want to find the best nursery bargains, of course, you’ll need to go to the right place. This is an excellent opportunity to find high-quality items at a discounted price. Whether you want plants or other gardening accessories, choose a nursery that you know fits the bill. 

Before you leave to find your end-of-summer nursery bargains, take stock of what you need and what you don’t. Identify places in the garden that need filling, and inspect your tools and other gear to see what is on its way out. Let’s discuss what to look for and some things you should probably skip. 

Buy: Discounted Perennials

Late summer and early fall are great times for planting perennials. During the summer, when temperatures are high and rain can be unpredictable, it’s not the ideal time. However, once the thermometer starts to drop, there is no reason to hold off until spring. 

Most perennials will develop substantial roots when planted in the late summer and early fall. The cooler air combined with the warm soil is ideal for establishing many trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. 

Since most nurseries will be offering discounts on these plants, it’s an excellent time to buy them. Nurseries offer these bargains because they know that whatever they’re left with in the fall is money lost. They will sell them to you at a discount to avoid that. 

You can expect that many of these plants won’t look as healthy as they did in the spring. Months of living in a nursery pot, outdoors in the hot sun, can take its toll. Nurseries aren’t necessarily pruning and maintaining them the way you would, either. 

With that in mind, even though they may be leggy and tired-looking, they’re likely still viable. As long as their newer growth looks healthy, chances are good that the roots are in decent condition. 

Once you get your selections home, give them a bit of TLC. Ensure that you water them thoroughly and plant them in the ground as soon as possible. Mulch around them to offer some insulation and regulate soil temperature and moisture. From planting time until the first frost, pamper these perennials. Avoid heavy pruning, which can cause shock. 

Skip: Summer Blooming Annuals

Nursery bargains on summer-blooming annuals are going to be tough to resist. These are plants that are in full bloom right now, so they will look particularly appealing. However, most of the ones that are on sale are at the end of their blooming season.

Those summer blooming annuals probably look better than the perennials, which are a good idea to purchase. But don’t let their looks fool you. Buying these plants now means a lot of work and little payoff, as they will fade quickly. 

You’re better off picking up a few fall-blooming annuals. If you want to add some new color for the season, there are plenty of these around. You will get to enjoy their whole blooming season and not feel like you missed the best part. 

Buy: Raised Beds

End-of-summer sales are an excellent opportunity to invest in some raised beds. If you intend to grow in raised beds next spring, now is the time to invest. Raised beds can be pricey, and higher-quality beds will cost more than budget brands.

Treat yourself to the higher-quality beds now, while they are on sale. This way, you feel like you’ve got a great deal on a product that will last a long time. When spring rolls around, you’ll be all ready to get planting!

My preference is for metal raised beds. They last considerably longer. However, not everyone likes this look. If you’re going to opt for wood, choose high-quality beds. Look for cedar beds that will withstand the elements well. 

Skip: Leftover Warm Season Vegetables

Much like those late-season annuals, you should steer clear of the leftover warm-season vegetable starts. Also, like those annuals, summer vegetable starts will be on deep discount, which is always tempting.

Even if you live in a warm climate, the prime time for growing tomatoes, squash, and peppers is about over. Planting these now commonly ends in disappointment, wasted time, and money. 

Instead, buy some cool-weather vegetable seeds and starts. You might be able to pick up some seed starting gear at a discount to get them started!

Buy: Quality Tools

High-quality tools are great to have. While the bargain tools may last a season or two, a well-maintained, high-quality tool can last a decade or more. 

Take a close look at your tools and identify which ones need replacement. If you know you’ll need a new one next year. You might as well pick it up now. Don’t miss out on these nursery bargains. In the long run, you’ll save yourself money.

High-quality tools can be pricey, but they are typically worth the investment. High-quality mechanisms and sharp blades make these desirable. Look for the best savings on high-quality tools, rather than simply the lowest overall price. 

Skip: Pests and Diseases

This seems like a silly category to address. Who buys pests and diseases at the nursery? Is that even a thing? Well, no, it’s not, but plants with pests and diseases are often included in those end-of-summer sales.

Before you put anything in your car, inspect it for damage. Apparent signs of pests include curled or malformed foliage and flowers. Any leaves that are obviously chewed are a sign of infestation. 

Look out for fungal diseases like powdery mildew or sooty mold, as well. Root rot is another issue to avoid, as it’s essentially throwing money away. Don’t buy these thinking you can rescue them. Because chances are better that you’ll end up infecting plants that you already have.

Buy: Half Price Hoses

I’m categorizing this under hoses, but it actually covers a wide range of equipment that you might need for next year. I say hoses because I can’t remember a year that I didn’t need at least one new hose. The time to buy them is now, while the nurseries are offering them at a discount. 

Take a look through your gardening gear and see if anything needs replacing. Stakes, landscape pins, fence panels, trellises, and more. If you can find a replacement at a discount now, take advantage of it.

This is also a great time to purchase other outdoor items. Patio furniture, fire pits, grills, and outdoor rugs will all be on sale.

Skip: Invasive Species

This is an important one to skip any time, not just when they are on sale. Invasive species are often the most robust plants you’ll find on sale. There is a reason for that. While many nurseries will continue to carry them, many gardeners are moving toward native plants. 

Invasives often appear attractive, but the reality is that you’re likely to regret having them in the future. They might make your yard look lush and beautiful for a year or two. Once they start to take over, you’ll want to dig them up, and by then, it’s too late. This is a nursery bargain that you should always steer clear of.