Speaking of the big box stores, a few days ago I was in the vicinity of the Carbondale, IL, Walmart (actually the one between C’Dale and Murphysboro), and I noticed it had quite a few veggie plants in small pots and 4-packs, under their house brand name of “Expert Gardener”. Plant condition was uniformly very good to excellent, and size (for the containers’ sizes) were large. These were in addition to the usual Bonnies plants.
I don’t recall seeing “Expert Gardener” veggie plants at Walmarts nearer us, previously: Maybe I just wasn’t paying attention to labels, but, usually I do. Do other FReepers’ Walmarts have these?
Yes, we have Expert Gardener plants at our Walmart, and that’s been a brand they’ve carried for a least a year, as well as the Bonnie plants. I have purchased several this season, and they’re all doing well. I even got a few EG begonias on the clearance rack, and they look every bit as good as the ones they haven’t reduced.
I will also add that the EG folks come in and set up the displays themselves, as I ran into a few workers a year ago. They weren’t Walmart employees, and they were fairly knowledgeable, and pleasant to boot.