Garden stores / your recommendations (Chicago, Naperville: appointed, apartment, Home Depot)

[Aerio]

It's SPRING and time to go outside and weed, garden, and grow vegetables and all that stuff! (except without the cold lately...)
Could anyone suggest a decent, recommendable garden store? (or a tree farm/nursery)

I have searched on Google, and came up with a few good places around me (in Arlington Heights) through Yelp and Google Maps; in fact, I have visited the Mt. Prospect Menards, as well as Pesche's in Des Plaines and found pretty decent stuff. The latter had a better variety of flowers and plants, as well as a wonderful array of flowerpots and holders. However, is there a garden center that you always come back to?

In particular, I am looking for decorative flowerpots for an apartment setting -- can anyone recommend a store that they like (anywhere in Chicagoland) that's worth a visit? I plan on visiting more places, as this is to help my mom with her balcony actually; she was thinking of something like World Market or Pier One Imports, though I hope through these stores I can let her find something a little cheaper.

[nikitakolata]

If you're looking for pots and other outdoor accessories then Garden Ridge on Golf & Meacham in Schaumburg (and there's one on Rt. 59 in Naperville) is worth a visit. The prices are very reasonable there and they have a ton of stuff. The store is about the size of a Home Depot but it is all home stuff. I go there a lot.

[ToriaT]

Here are two I enjoy going to. Gethsemane is far away on the N. side of Chicago but I love going there once a year its unique. I also have enjoyed Pasquesi.

Pasquesi Home and Gardens

Gethsemane Garden Center in Chicago - Annuals, Perennials, Greenhouse, Trees and Shrubs, Roses, Herbs and Vegetables, Lawn Care, Gardening Tools and Accessories, Fertilizer, Statuary, Fountains, Outdoor Furniture, Wild Pansy, Gifts, Garden and Home D

[Pete MUFC]

Since you live in Arlington Heights, these places should be worth visiting as they are not that far away:

Knupper Nursery & Landscape - 1801 N Rand Rd, Palatine, IL
Atrium Garden Center - 21481 N Rand Rd Kildeer, IL 60047 (Rand Rd & Cuba Rd)
Escazu Nursery - 20820 N Rand Rd Lake Zurich, IL 60047

Of all three, I think Atrium will have the most things you need, but it will be the most expensive too. I go to Escazu once in a while. Its huge, more like a wholesale place and they are priced reasonable.

http://www.atriumgardencenter.com/
http://www.knuppernursery.com/
http://www.escazunursery.com/

[middle-aged mom]

If you are into a road trip, Milaegers in Racine is well worth the ride.

Plant Guides

You will not be disappointed.

[gardener34]

Planters Pallet in Winfield IL on Rte 38 is really nice.
It is a drive, but Hornbaker Gardens in Princeton, IL is worth the destination.

[wjj]

If you are in northern AH near Lake Cook Road, try Leiders. It is off Aptakistic in Buffalo Grove. Only place we go - for years.