You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
This is the first of a series of articles spotlighting Garden Watchdog's Watchdog 30 companies. Leading off is Garden Crossings of Zeeland, Michigan, an online nursery featuring new and unusual annuals, perennials, shrubs and clematis. Find out why this company is among the top five in the influential Dave's Garden list!
Garden Crossings™ was founded in 2002 by Rod Grasman and Chad Walters. They saw what they believed was a gap in the market - the need for an online nursery that offered new and high quality plants to gardeners in a larger size.
Garden Crossings Greenhouse
Most nurseries were shipping three-inch, or at most, four-inch pots. They offered their plants in a 5½-inch size.
In that first year, Garden Crossings (GC) had an inventory of 80 perennials and clematis. They had just over 5,000 square feet of growing space. Today, they offer around 750 different plants, which now include annuals and shrubs as well. After several expansions and a move from Hudsonville to Zeeland, MI, GC now has over 26,000 square feet!
Grasman, now the solo owner, credits GC's success to a dedication to providing the gardener with a ‘Wow!' experience from beginning to end. This starts with the user-friendly website which contains photos for every plant. It continues with the care that goes into the robust packing. Finally, it culminates when the gardener opens the box and sees the quality and size of the plants. For those times when the unforeseen happens and the gardener is not 100% satisfied, Grasman says, ‘At that point we have the ability to wow in the customer service aspect'.
Echinacea 'Pink Double Delight'
Operating a retail garden center in Zeeland as well, Grasman adds that the inability of the online customer to ‘have that complete buying experience of using all five senses' is what motivates GC to consistently exceed their expectations. Judging by their Watchdog position, GC is doing just that. Also a PlantScout participant, GC has been attracting new customers directly from Dave's Garden. Grasman says he has had many first-time customers tell him they were ordering because of the Watchdog reviews. ‘The whole staff at Garden Crossings is very excited to be rated so highly on Garden Watchdog'. The GC website also has many satisfied customer testimonials. One man writes, 'Hello, I just received my order yesterday and I have one thing to say: Outstanding!'
Dianthus 'Raspberry Surprise'
Garden Crossings can offer the customer new plants before they are available in local garden centers. It takes more time for new products to ‘filter' through the entire retail gardening chain. By having relationships with recognized branded suppliers such as Proven Winners® and ColorChoice®, GC is further able to showcase the hottest new offerings. (See this article on the 2008 introductions from ColorChoice®.) They first introduced ColorChoice® shrubs in 2006 and the line has been very successful. Last year, Proven Winners® annuals were added to the mix, available in four-inch pots. Customers responded positively to this as well. Non-plant, ‘Garden Accents' were also added in 2006. These include garden art, planters and birdhouses.
Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight'
Since 2007, many perennials have been available in a 10-inch size, and additional one, two and three-gallon sizes are available for many of the shrubs. In an effort to reduce their use of plastic and embrace the ‘green revolution', GC is introducing their ‘Eco-Friendly Plants' in spring 2008. Also called the ‘elle plug', the plant is grown in a paper sleeve and filled with soilless media. The size is the equivalent of a three-inch plastic potted plant and is offered on about 60 of their varieties.
Grasman is always looking to add the newest and hottest plants. He checks his suppliers, attends trade shows, reads trade publications and even considers customer requests! He responds to customer feedback and market forces and re-evaluates his offerings each year. For 2008, for example, he added about 135 new varieties but dropped others to keep the overall number at around 750. He is comfortable with that number, believing it gives the gardener many choices for various garden needs, yet does not overwhelm. There are about 140 annuals, 80 clematis, 80 shrubs and over 400 perennials.
Physocarpus opulifolius Coppertina™
Because shipping is the only part of the chain they cannot control, GC takes great pains to pack their shipments to withstand whatever ‘travel adventures' they may encounter. Many of us remember the old commercial with the gorillas jumping on the luggage. I know I have had a few plant deliveries show up looking like those same gorillas were entrusted with their care! To prepare for these uncertainties, each plant container is well watered and a piece of fitted cardboard is placed on top of the soil. Tall sticks are placed around the container to protect it from damage from above. Plastic is then wrapped around the container and rubber bands hold everything in place. The box is packed tightly so there is little chance for jostling around. On those occasions when there is still damage, customer service will work with the customer to ensure a prompt remedy is effected.
Preparing a Shipment
GC features include extended descriptions of each plant, Plant Search, 'Store This Search' - which allows individual search criteria to be saved for later use, Top Sellers, at least one photo for each plant, the ability to add to an existing order, and credit card charging at ship time.
Current top sellers include a number of Echinacea, including ‘Coconut Lime', Heuchera ‘Mahogany' and Papaver ‘Miss Piggy'. Since GC grows most of their plants, they do sell out so Grasman recommends ordering early.
Owner Rod Grasman and Family
Garden Crossings - a family business, an online nursery leader and a Watchdog all-star!
Photos: Physocarpus and Echinacea taken by author. All others courtesy of Garden Crossings.
Special thanks to Mr. Rod Grasman of Garden Crossings.
About Victor Carrano
My background is in engineering, but these days I am a stay at home dad. I have always loved Nature, but had no idea when I bought my house that I would become the gardening fanatic that I have. Gardening both stimulates and relaxes me, appeals to all my senses and gives me the privilege to be part of the Nature I love.
Posted by sogal123 (from Chattanooga, TN) on February 12, 2008 at 11:24 PM:
What an informative article on my favorite online nursery! They are 'great'.
...
Subject: Congrats Rod
Posted by dave (from Jacksonville, TX) on February 12, 2008 at 12:50 AM:
You've had a lot of very positive press so far this year and you deserve it! Congratulations.
Dave
...
Posted by rodgras (from Zeeland, MI) on February 12, 2008 at 8:02 PM:
Thanks Dave!!
...
Subject: Fabulous Company!!
Posted by JeanneTX (from Willis, TX) on February 11, 2008 at 9:44 AM:
I have bought Tons of Clematis from GardenCrossings..Not only are they great plants..this company guarantees their clematis and will replace if something is wrong..To me being burned by one clematis Company..this means alot to me...Jeanne
...
Posted by bigcityal (from Menasha, WI) on February 11, 2008 at 11:40 AM:
Nice article Victor.
They do seem to be one of the few companies that care that their customers are happy and not just 'not mad'
...
Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on February 11, 2008 at 12:13 PM:
Thanks Jeanne and Al.
...
Posted by onewish1 (from Denville, NJ) on February 11, 2008 at 1:03 PM:
I bought from them several times in the past... had a problem with the shipping on one item ... it got pretty beat up by the carriers... the item was replaced within a week... great customer service always a quick response though email .. (which is rare)... and the quality of the plants that arrive are superior.... I have said it time and time again yes there might be cheaper websites out there.. but you get what you pay for... and garden crossings always delivers
Allison
...
Posted by rodgras (from Zeeland, MI) on February 12, 2008 at 8:07 PM:
Thanks Again to all of you for your wonderful comments!
Rod Grasman
Garden Crossings
...
Subject: I agree
Posted by rosa18 (from Bartlett, IL) on February 11, 2008 at 9:39 AM:
My favorite online online web gardening shop-The service is outstanding, and of course the plants are big and healthy!
...
Posted by rodgras (from Zeeland, MI) on February 12, 2008 at 8:08 PM:
Thanks for your support!
Rod Grasman
Garden Crossings
...
Subject: Great article!
Posted by grammyphoeb (from Upper Hudson Valley, NY) on February 11, 2008 at 6:29 AM:
Enjoyed the article very much Victor. I have been reluctant to buy plants on-line because of the shipping. Sounds like Garden Crossings would help me get over this fear!! LOL I will definitely give them a try! Eleanor
...
Posted by doccat5 (from Fredericksburg, VA) on February 11, 2008 at 6:51 AM:
Thanks for sharing this interesting information. I'll have to check out their website.
...
Posted by pixie62560 (from South China, ME) on February 11, 2008 at 9:11 AM:
Great article again Victor, will have to give Garden Crossings a try.
...
Posted by CapeCodGardener (from Mid-Cape, MA) on February 11, 2008 at 9:39 AM:
Great idea for a series, Victor. I'm looking forward to learning more about the DG Watchdog-Allstars and I will certainly check out Garden Crossings.
...
Posted by nanny_56 (from Putnam County, IN) on February 11, 2008 at 9:40 AM:
I have bought from Garden Crossings and have been very satisfied over all. I had a plant that was really struggling and they sent me another free of charge! I found that too be exceptional customer service!!
...
Posted by psychw2 (from Boise, ID) on February 11, 2008 at 9:43 AM:
I'm impressed Victor, you convinced me to give Garden Crossing a try. Thanks!
...
Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on February 11, 2008 at 11:16 AM:
Thank you all!
...
Posted by pirl (from Southold, NY) on February 11, 2008 at 1:34 PM:
Thanks, Victor. I'll be sure to read their emails more thoroughly and finally place an order.
...
Posted by Dea (from Frederick, MD) on February 11, 2008 at 5:56 PM:
I've not used them, but will not give them a try - thanks for featuring them in a well written article!
...
Posted by mudpiegirl (from Los Lunas, NM) on February 11, 2008 at 10:36 PM:
Dear Victor, I am really looking forward to the whole series. Thank you for a concise, well-written and informative introduction to a company I really knew nothing about.
...
Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on February 11, 2008 at 10:39 PM:
Thank you ladies - I appreciate the comments.
...
Posted by rodgras (from Zeeland, MI) on February 12, 2008 at 8:05 PM:
I want to thank Victor for this wonderful article!
I also want to thank all our customers who made this article possible!
Thanks Again & Happy Gardening!
Rod Grasman
Garden Crossings
...
Posted by Dea (from Frederick, MD) on February 12, 2008 at 8:08 PM:
Neato that you read the article Rod ! I'll be ordering from you soon :)
