Johns Garden Centre

Do avoid this place. While the staff is helpful and the offer is reasonably wide, the owner is an absolute disgrace. This is a grumpy sad git who turns abusive and makes you feel inadequate if, for whatever reason is day is not going well. I just happened to be abused by this person recently after having spent tons of money in his shop over the last couple of years. I hope he goes out of business sooner rather than later.

If you can spot it amidst the stickers and shelves full of plants, the door of this shop sports a sign saying ‘welcome to the Tardis’. It is indeed true that there’s more than their appears… the shop itself is long and narrow, and goes on into a garden area that starts long and narrow and opens up (slightly) further down. They have a pretty amazing range of plants, including many that were new to me, and including a good range of herbs, which is something I’m interested in. Tangerine scented sage anyone?

You can also get the associated stuff: netting, soil, bug killers and fertilizer. They also do a big range of pet foods. For the cats, Science Diet and organic foods, not Felix and Whiskas.

I haven’t visited as often, and so can’t say if they are good at doing seasonal ranges and changing stock. I also have to mark them down a little as there were many plants that looked the worse for wear. While you could excuse this on the basis of recent torrential rain, many were in shelving where I feel watering would have been under the control of staff… I was very impressed with the range though, and most of the plants were gorgeous. Definitely worth a visit, and really a 4.5.

Don't be fooled by the small facade of this garden centre in the heart of Stoke Newington. It might be narrow but the property is very long and has a garden full of plants, pots, fencing and well everything else you need when gardening. Indoors there are gardening tools, seeds, pet food, irrigation systems and much more. They also sell coal and smoke free fuel. Its a really nice and friendly place where you can get advice from people who actually know what they are talking about. Even the cat which always hangs out in the back garden is friendly and loves a stroke.