Eastern, locally-owned greenhouse/nursery?

[elva_undine]

I live in Edgewood and am looking to buy a cactus, which I am assured, my black thumb won't kill. I'd prefer to go to a Pittsburgh-owned or family-run kind of greenhouse or nursery, and I'd like to take my business somewhere local. I live in Edgewood, so anywhere in the east would be just fine. Any suggestions?

Comments

[beeporama]

The only thing I have not been able to kill thus far is aloe, which has other benefits (looks nice, no needles, and you can smear it on cuts and blisters). I did kill a cactus, but it lasted much longer than usual.

Both cactus and aloe you can usually just take a cutting from somebody else who has one, I think. (But maybe you shouldn't take gardening advice from the guy who killed a cactus.)

I recall there being a locally-owned greenhouse in Squill, on Murray Avenue between Forbes and Forward.

[jcipa]

I haven't been super impressed with Alan's stock, to be honest. The plants are almost all very sad looking.

Chapon's on Streets Run Road is my favorite local nursery/ greenhouse. I've had great service from their staff every time I go there (which is sadly not enough, because I don't have a car).

[absurdkarma]

If you aren't one of those people who are terrified of exploring areas just beyond Monroeville, I suggest going to Beall's in Plum Borough.

http://www.beallsnursery.com/

It is locally owned, by a friend of mine from high school. His whole family lives on the property and works there too.

If they don't have cacti, I also recommend Erzen Brothers Greenhouse, which is actually a few miles away from Beall's. Also locally owned and operated.

849 Center Rd
Pittsburgh, PA 15239
(412) 793-5730

[hopita]

The Beechwood Nursery that used to be on Beechwood Bouelvard in Squirrel Hill moved to Ellsworth Avenue in Shadyside, but now it seems to have moved again. I wasn't paying close attention, but I was on Ellsworth Avenue today and I think I saw a sign for Beechwood Nursery somewhere around The Harris Grill -- I think it may be behind Ellsworth Avenue now.

[_orz]

I've had good experiences at Sestili Nursery, which is hidden on a side street in Oakland. They have a large selection of outdoor plants, but I'm not sure if they sell cacti, so you may want to call ahead.

On a side note, I have an aloe plant that has lived for more than 11 years and still going very strong. Definitely a very good plant for a beginner.

[marzipan_robots]

I've seen cacti at Giant Eagle. I know it's not locally owned and operated, but come on...it's a cactus...the $2.99 you spend on it isn't really going to make that much of a difference. Mind you, I'm all for supporting local business but...it's a cactus.

[_orz]

The houseplants I've seen sold at Giant Eagle as recently as last week were diseased/full of fungus and generally neglected. $2.99 for a plant that will die in a month is still a rip off.

Besides, I'm assuming that OP is also going to need other gardening items like a larger container (OP--your cactus is eventually going to outgrow the small container that it was initially sold in), some potting soil, and plant food, all of which can be picked up at the same time at a nursery.

[marzipan_robots]

I used to buy them at Safeway (MD) all the time and with a little TLC they were always great...until I'd go away for 3 months at a time...that kind of did them in.

Oh...and one I dropped on the ground and the colorful little top popped right off. OOPS!