stodels – The Gardening Blog

I decided to give Stodels in Kenilworth another try. I don’t normally go back to places I don’t get good service at, but there were three reasons for giving it another go – Firstly, my previous visit was on The Hottest Day in Cape Town this year. It was seriously uncomfortable and perhaps I was giving off some sort of “don’t even talk to me” vibes, so I thought I should give them another go. Secondly, I get a weekly electronic newsletter from them with a list of their weekly specials. I like that they stay in touch and give existing customers a heads-up about good deals. I think its good marketing and a few things on the this weeks list caught my eye. And my third reason? MD Nick Stodel left a nice comment on my not-so-nice review. That is quite unique – certainly in South Africa and if the MD cares enough about one arbitrary customer to leave a comment on a blog then I think its only fair to give them the benefit of the doubt and try again.

[one_half]Ornamental Grasses[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Cordyline red fountain[/one_half_last]

Enticed by a special offer I set off on Friday afternoon. Stodels in Kenilworth is about a 10 minute (in traffic) drive from my home. They are my closest nursery, so it would be useful if I could like going there. As I mentioned in my last post, they have a nice selection of pretty much everything garden related – absolutely no problems there. Today I was specifically looking for more spring bulbs and “Cordyline red fountain” which they had on a special. I ended up not buying it but came home with a few Acorus gramineus (Japanese sweet flag). Its an ornamental grass with golden yellow variegation which does well in containers, as edging or ground cover. I have some in my back garden and I love them … so I wanted a few more. Grabbed 4 of those – nice price, only R12.95 each for nice quality plants.

Also bought a whole bunch of bulbs and was thrilled to find that they had bulb planting baskets of which I bought a lot. (I have a mole or vole problem in my garden and am against laying traps so have to protect the bulbs instead). Also got myself a moisture meter and a pH meter. About time I had those in my gardening tool-kit! Lastly, I bought a shrub – a blue potato bush. Barbie has one of these in her garden and I really like it a lot. I think mine will go in a container next to the Veggie planter as it requires full sun.

So how was the visit? Service was friendly and great! Whilst I was looking around I was asked a few times if I needed help but in a very pleasant way that allowed me to say I was fine by myself (which I prefer unless I need help). I ended the visit having a chat with three of the ladies who work there who were all very knowledgeable about gardening and were fun to talk to. I then paid for my stuff and left feeling happy and pleased with my purchases. The guy who helped me to the car with my plants was very efficient and friendly and seemed to do a little dance when he got a tip. Very sweet and I appreciated his help.

I’m glad I went again. And I will go back!

If you live in the Southern Suburbs in Cape Town and need gardening supplies or plants, give them a try. Find them at Stodels Garden Centre in Doncaster Road, Kenilworth or phone 021-6719050. There is plenty of parking and they are open every day from 09h00 to 18h00 except on Sundays when they close at 17h00.

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Last Saturday I paid Stodels Nursery in Kenilworth a visit with the intention of doing a review. A friend has recommended Stodels to me so I was expecting good service and a good variety of plants.

I went armed with plenty of cash because … well you know I’m a sales persons dream and can’t leave a shop without buying something, even if it is just something small. Now I don’t know if it was the heat or what, but its the first time I’ve left a nursery without buying something. Seriously, I bought zero, zip, nudda, nix. Must’ve been the heat!

Their plants look healthy, they have some very nice displays, prices seemed on a par with what I am used to so there was every reason for me to buy something.

What did I like about Stodels in Kenilworth?

Parking is super convenient. It’s not a huge nursery, its actually quite small and I think they carry an amazing amount of stock. They had everything I could possibly want in the hardware department as well as all the bug-pest-insect repellents varieties known to man! I was impressed with the way they display their annuals and other plants – Clearly marked as “Sun Loving Annuals” or “Shade Loving Annuals” so ignorant wannabe gardeners (like yours truly) can’t go wrong here. Everything is well labeled – Water-wise, Indigenous, Low Shrubs, Big Trees, Shade loving – are just some of the signs that caught my eye. I liked the displays of features such as gardening furniture, bird baths and pots positioned in between plant displays so you can get an idea of how something might look in an actual garden. I liked the large selection of indigenous plants, especially the lovely Proteas and Strelizias. Everything looked clean and fresh and last but not least, their Veggie seedling selection was great!

Where to find them?

Stodels Garden Centre, Doncaster Road, Kenilworth, Cape Town.
Telephone: 021-6719050.
Operating Hours: Open every day from 09h00 to 18h00 except on Sundays when they close at 17h00.

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