6 Things A Master Gardener Buys At Costco

Getting started in the garden can be an exciting and, at the same time, overwhelming endeavor. Regardless of whether you're entirely new to gardening or are an old hand at it, there are certain tips, tricks, and products that can help your garden thrive — a surprising number of which can be found at Costco. To narrow down some of the best items available, House Digest spoke with Master Gardener and Fruit Tree Grower, Josh Gardens, also known on social media as The Plant Techie, for his top picks.

Some favorites from Josh include live plants, such as fruit trees and bushes, which he says can be a great find for their price, especially if you know what to look for. "I tend to keep an eye on Costco's seasonal garden section because the value can be surprisingly strong, especially for larger or bulk items," Josh told House Digest. If you're a veggie lover, Costco's vegetable starts can be another purchase worth considering, so long as you're ready to purchase them without delay. "Their inventory moves quickly, so it's worth checking regularly to find the best quality plants and selection," Josh said. Certain products that our expert swears by are also gardening essentials for beginners.

Costco might not be the first place that comes to mind if you're thinking about starting your own fruit tree orchard, but Josh told House Digest that the bare root trees, like the Longfield Gardens Bareroot Fruit Collections, are some of his favorite gardening finds. He explained that while they are reasonably priced, it's still important to inspect them in order to find the best plant. "Look for branches that are plump and not shriveled, and as a bonus, if you can find one that's already pushing a bit of green growth, that's usually a really good sign of a healthy, viable tree," Josh said. 

If you're looking for a plant that can be used in the kitchen as well as something that can be an attractive garden feature, Josh told us that Costco's rosemary plants — like the Alder & Oak Patio Ready Rosemary ($59.99) available online — are a good choice. "They're often sold as full, well-established bushes at a price that's comparable to much smaller nursery plants," he explained. For those residing in southern areas of the United States, he recommends opting for a healthy, large bush because it can live for a number of years, thanks to mild regional temperatures.

For those looking to start a vegetable garden, waiting for seeds to germinate can be an agonizing process. Instead, Josh recommends Costco's vegetable starts, which can speed things up. "For gardeners who want a quicker harvest or are getting a later start, that head start can make a real difference. Plus you can't beat the price for the size," Josh told House Digest. If you want to give your new vegetable starts the best chance at success, try the handy utensil that gives growing seedlings the support they need.

For gardeners who love fresh herbs in the kitchen, Costco's fresh bundle packs of herbs like rosemary, mint, and sage are something that Josh recommends. "The pricing is usually better than buying individually," Josh added. If you're thinking about planting some of the herbs in your garden, however, Josh cautions against putting mint directly in the ground — this is because they are prone to taking over, since they spread underground via rhizomes.

Some aspects of gardening are more physical than others. When it comes to moving heavy bags of product or debris, you need something that is sturdy and up to the challenge. The Gorilla Heavy Duty Poly Yard Dump Cart ($279) is highly reviewed and is one of the best garden carts to make working outside easier than ever. "That's actually one of my most-used tools in the garden," Josh told House Digest. "It's durable, easy to maneuver, and incredibly useful for moving soil, mulch, or debris, so when it shows up at a competitive price at Costco, it's a purchase I recommend without hesitation."

Last but not least, Costco from time-to-time stocks their shelves with bundles of Fiskars tools that can be useful in the garden and a great price. "They'll occasionally carry sets that include essentials like pruners, loppers, or even saws, and the bundled pricing can make it a very practical way to build out or upgrade your tool collection all at once," Josh told us. You can currently get your hands on the Fiskars' Loppers and Hand Pruners set for $29.99 at Costco. This set has a 4.5-star rating from more than 600 reviews.