Late April is ideal timing to get the backyard garden in shape by visiting one of the area’s garden suppliers. But how to pick from so many in the field? The Philadelphia Inquirer‘s Steven White and Michelle Myers dug into local shops and found three best-of recommendations in Montgomery County.

Gardening, which got a major boost as a hobby during the pandemic, is still hot.

Its popularity is understandable, given its many upsides: plenty of time in the fresh air and sun. And a (hopeful) yield of fresh vegetables.

Big box stores sell the dirt, seeds, and equipment. But sometimes, the personal touch of a neighborhood store’s advisor can make the difference between bumper crops and produce that becomes little more than squirrel food.

The top go-to gardening centers in Montgomery County are:

• Primex Garden Center, 435 W. Glenside Ave., Glenside. It’s been guiding green thumbs for 80 years
• Ott’s Exotic Plants, 901 Gravel Pike, Schwenksville. “Exotic” is a purposeful part of the brand name here; its stock eclipses the expected rosebush and tulip fare
• Holly Days Nursery, Garden Center, & Landscaping, 1201 Horsham Rd., Ambler. This seven-acre nursery is extensive; it also provides online shopping and shipping services.

The full list of primo garden suppliers is at The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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