Earl May Garden Center

Tanya Campbell

2024-01

Extremely helpful manager and clerk. We got a live Christmas tree 20 minutes before closing with excellent assistance and happy smiles! Highly recommend.

Jannie Heath

2023-05

As a former plant killer, I deeply appreciate the patience and education I received from this center in teaching me along with YouTube on how to nurture my plants without killing them. Over the years, I have successfully kept ALL my plants alive and healthy but am still horrible at transplanting them. Yesterday, myself and another customer received the worst customer service ever! I walked in the store with my purple waffle plant and new hanging pot. The new employee did not know Earl May provides repotting services without purchasing a plant or pot for a fee. His boss, an older man, told me that I had to buy a pot. I explained to him that I paid a fee two days ago and am a regular customer. He was clear that he would NOT repot my plant without a purchase. I asked this supervisor to contact the owner because he knows me as a regular customer. After this statement, the supervisor begrudgingly repots my plant. Another customer who was admiring my plant purchased a miniature size of it and asked the supervisor to help her find a larger pot. He told her several times that she can keep it in the pot it's in but if she changes her mind, then she can come back to have it repotted. He never bothered to show her the variety of pots that she could purchase for her new plant. This supervisor had no interest in providing us ANY services and made me feel like we were annoying him. When the supervisor finally decided to transplant my overgrown plant into my new hanging pot that I bought elsewhere, he said he had to crack my old pot to remove the plant which I thought was strange but just wanted the services done. When he brought my plant out from the back in my new hanging pot, my branches were ALL limp. I have attached a picture of what I walked out of the store with to prove that this supervisor had absolutely no interest in providing proper customer service to me. I cannot believe I was treated this way! If this had been my first visit to the center, I would NEVER have returned. This is the first time I have ever been disregarded in this store. I will also send this message to your customer care email so you know how badly I was treated.

Kelly Taylor Kruggel

2022-05

Madison was so friendly and helpful!! I got a couple new plants. It would be nice to see more specialty plants. Most are very general and can be purchased at big box stores. Prices are higher than average. Plants are healthy and displays are organized and clean, so worth the additional price.

Kristin Mason

2021-05

Absolutely love the Ames Earl May! They are always super helpful and cheerful! And are wonderful with my kids too! They're plants are beautiful and we'll taken care of. And they are extremely knowledgeable. Highly recommend, even if it may cost slightly more. Totally worth it for the customer service!

Margaret Alexander

2023-07

The employees are always so helpful and the service is great. They also have a huge selection of plants

Dakota Karthan

2020-05

Every time that I've come into this Earl May I've been impressed. Their plants always look healthy and well kept. The staff is so friendly and knowledgeable! They're happy to give advice or answer any questions you might have.

megan merner

2019-05

I've been here several times since moving to Ames, and I've found it hit or miss. Some aspects are excellent: there is a great variety of seeds, and most staff have been helpful and friendly (like the staff who helped to load compost in my car)! Other times, I've been disappointed. Some of their vegetable plants (particularly the bell peppers) had some unhealthy levels of aphid infestations, and just very recently I had an unusually negative/unfriendly interaction with a staff member when I was trying to locate a certain seed they had. I really like going to these smaller stores because, though they may not be the least expensive option, generally the quality and service is always top-notch, so I'm feeling a bit disappointed overall.

Edd Clem

2021-05

Very deceptive signage! Table of perennials had a sign that read $9.99. To me, that implies that all the flowers on the table are $9.99and that since it is end of season they are trying to get rid of them. When I checked out I was charged $15.99 & $16.99 for 2 plants. When I aid the sign read $9.99 I was told it was From $9.99. When I explained there was no From on the sign I was told you had to read the price on the label. When I asked to see a $9.99 plant on the table, they were unable to find one. What to make you think they are on sale but they aren't!! Dishonest!!

River Yett

2021-05

Staff were very helpful with finding the seeds I wanted and very friendly. I was thrilled to see they had native Midwest plants for my pollinator garden. Very happy with my experience and will return in the future.

Derek zerr

2023-05

Great people, I buy bug spray for around my house and it works great. Get Super Eight if you never want bugs in your house again, stuff is like magic.

Kris

2019-05

Today I was “greeted” by a woman who had either had a rough morning or decided I didn’t appear to be someone who would like to spend money in this store. After being rudely asked if I needed help I was given a short response and then she turned and walked away. No follow up, no additional information on when the item I asked about would arrive or anything. I looked around the store for a few more minutes after this encounter and didn’t see her again while I was there browsing things I could potentially want to purchase. I try to support local greenhouses instead of chains and will continue to do so more diligently after my experience with this Earl May.

Robert Hauenstein

2022-05

Crooked trees and no accountability! Read more for details: We purchased 3 trees (with protection plans) in Fall of 2020, delivered, planted and staked by Earl May. Also of note, these were planted after the Derecho. This spring, we noticed that trees are growing crooked. Upon further investigation, it seems this is happening due to the trees being INCORRECTLY staked. We immediately called Earl May to seek a solution and talked to the Assistant Manager. The assistant manager told us she was “extremely busy” and that “they only come out if there’s a severe problem”. We were advised that we could take pictures of the crooked and INCORRECTLY staked trees for advice on correction, but we would need to purchase any additional supplies required to make the correction and DIY to fix their mistake. I’ve received more helpful support from Lowe’s and other big box stores. So now we’re left with $1200 worth of crooked trees. Thanks Earl May!

Teresa Wright

2023-05

The person working the front counter was horrible. We asked if they had coco coir and his response was I don't know. And proceeded to just check us out. No offer to see if someone there knew if they had what we wanted. Just rude.

Jim Twetten

2023-06

More expensive than box stores, but staff are more knowledgeable and the products generally are better.

Quin Shingai

2021-05

Generally a little pricier than their Ames competitors, but the staff are knowledgeable and friendly! I bought the same bush at Earl May’s and a competitor, the Earl May one did substantially better.

Marauder 36

2021-05

Pricey, but they have a large selection of lawn and garden items you won't find elsewhere. Staff is knowledgeable and helpful but you have to hunt them down sometimes. Location is good. Parking is good.

Elaine Jordan

2018-05

I've always quickly gotten the help I needed. One time I came in 30 before store close and one of the people helped me get everything I needed in 10 minutes. Good selection of plants, too.

Corley B

2021-05

We raise monarch caterpillars every year, so imagine our delight when we found they sell milkweed, which technically speaking is a weed, which is what monarchs feed off of! I only wish they had a better selection of watering cans :)

Emily Elizabeth

2022-05

So many beautiful plants here (a little more expensive it seems than other Earl Mays) but lots of unique plants and the employees really seem to love their jobs.

Jami Tharp

2021-05

I was able to find cat grass here and get it planted and grown in less than a week!The staff was friendly and the prices were very reasonable.

Elizabeth River

2022-05

Fun to visit Earl May Garden Center. You would not believe all the beautiful pots they have. Still quite a few garden plants and trees to purchase.

Jim Shields

2020-05

Fantastic service. Kimberly helped us get exactly what I wanted, and made sure it was packed up and ready for travel. We couldn't have done better.

Dave Amhof

2022-05

We thought that this garden center was well stocked and had many interesting plants that we don't often see. Definitely worth a stop.

James Rooney

2019-05

Fair to somewhat expensive prices, but convenient to have in Ames, and the employees are helpful. Small but decent enough selection of hydroponic supplies.

Danielle Yaw

2021-05

Good prices, extremely organized and friendly!! The houseplants look so well taken care of as well.

Lillian Ellison

2018-05

Friendly service, lots of seeds (for edible and decorative plants), great selection of hot pepper seeds, fun decor for both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Beth Laurent

2021-05

Really nice selection of plants, knowledgeable staff and well organized and proper safety precautions.

Kelli Wasicek

2022-05

Earl May is more expensive then your box stores, but Let me tell you their plants are very healthy and vibrant!!!

Michael Peters

2019-05

I was able to catch the end of the season clearance! Still great selection of plants for the yard and friendly staff!

Jacqueline Parks

2022-05

Great selection of indoor plants and knowledgeable and helpful staff!