Stein’s Garden & Home

Stein’s is a little all over the place for me — you can buy plants, spangly scarves, fertilizer, flavored coffee, rakes, scented candles, garden gnomes and slippers here. Yep — saw all of those things on a recent visit.
On the plus side, they really do have everything. In summer, they have acres of plants, shrubs and trees. They have mulch, stone and pavers. They have décor for your patio, fountains and birdbaths. In winter, any and all tacky Christmas decorations are available, plus aisles of ornaments and a forest of fake trees, plus real ones outside. At all times of the year, there is a huge selection of home décor.
On the minus side, their plants — specifically annuals and perennials (no guarantee on these) — are not especially well cared for. If you get them right when they’re put out, they are fine. Otherwise they’ll likely be dried out and rootbound.
Prices here are also no bargain — they advertised «50% off» on artificial Christmas trees. Ummm right, 50% off of an inflated list price that no one actually has ever paid — basically the prices for the discounted trees were the same or more than comparables at Home Depot. Same with plants — I find them to be on the higher end of the price scale.
Staff — usually ignores us totally.
Bottom line — Stein’s is middling quality for a premium price. If you’re willing to pay a higher price for quality plants, head to Minor’s or Mileagers. If you want to save money, hit up Home Depot.

Average Steins. Plants of every variety. Tons of staff running around everywhere that can attempt to help but aren’t really all that knowledgeable about gardening. Stein’s plants seem to have gone down hill this year. Many of their flowers are dead/​dying. However, they did have a good selection of healthy vegetable plants — therefore, the 3 stars.

I can’t believe I haven’t thought to review Stein’s yet! It’s one of my favorite Milwaukee chains, although I just looked it up and there are apparently 14 in the Milwaukee, Racine/​Kenosha and Fox Valley areas. Ever since I bought a house Stein’s has been my main source for plants and garden supplies. There is always a helpful staff person available and they really do have a great selection of nice plants.

This being the beginning of our second year in our new house, I turned my attention from fixing the insides to fixing the outsides… And discovered Stein’s. The store’s name can be a little misleading – or at least, that’s what I tell myself for my reason for staying away for so long. I expected more of the gift stuff, and certainly not the huge array of plant choices. And, as with most reputable nurseries, they include a decent warranty on the bigger plants you buy from them.
Of course, now I’ve spent way too much money on everything from roses to raspberry bushes to herbs and vegetables, but this store in particular has a shocking array of plants to choose from. And instead of hiring an overpriced landscape architect, I just spoke with one of the store’s staffers, who recommended some beautiful perennials I hadn’t even known existed. She turned me on to Heucheras and Sedums, but they also had the Azaleas, honeysuckle, and hollyhocks I was particularly looking for.
As for those gift items I was so leery of: I’m going to have to start saving my pennies for one of those fountains or windchimes – they’re not cheesey at all!
Because I get down to Racine pretty regularly too, I’ve been to both Stein’s and Milaeger’s there, and have to say, Stein’s prices really can’t be beat, either.