Wayne Hibbs Farm and Garden Supply has served
The original garden center occupied 1 acre downtown for 51 years. When Jeff and Carey Hibbs bought the business, they relocated it to a 3-acre property 5 miles away. Although the new property previously hosted two other garden centers that failed, Hibbs Farm and Garden has seen revenues more than double since the move.
Carey Hibbs attributes this success to the central location of the property, combined with the company name and history, the quality of merchandise and the employees. While longtime customers followed them to the new space, the more central location attracted many new ones. And with the larger space, Carey said they’re able to offer many more products. “Now people can get everything in one place.”
The property is in a largely residential area, surrounded by homes but not far from other businesses. It includes a retail garden space with a greenhouse attached and a showroom with hard goods, fertilizers and gift items.
Hibbs is also known for carrying Fertrell organic and natural fertilizers. “We’ve carried that for some 20-odd years,” Carey said. “Lots of people are jumping on the green bandwagon now, but we like to joke we’ve been on the wagon for 20 years. We’ve always promoted recyclable fertilizers, pest controls, etc.”
Sarasota has large seasonal population swings, which affect Hibbs Farm and Garden’s business. Many of
“We’re not really feeling the recession that much,” Hibbs said. “People aren’t afraid to go here because they know they’re going to get good value and quality for their money.”
In 2006, Hibbs Farm and Garden won a Sarasota Herald-Tribune Reader’s Choice Award for favorite garden center and received an Outstanding Customer Service Award from the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.
For more: Wayne Hibbs Farm and Garden Supply, (941) 366-4954; ww.hibbsfarmandgarden.com.
Favorite products
Novelty planters
Grow-A-Heads are fun growing gifts, good for kids of all ages. Add water and watch them grow. They don’t need natural sunlight to grow and they come in many varieties, including seasonal designs. They sell at Hibbs for $8.98. Minimum wholesale order is one case of 32 units.
For more: Sourcing International, (860) 675-1616; www.grow-a-head.com.
Garden décor
GeekyBeek characters and other whimsical garden décor from Exhart dress up the garden. Available in statues, stakes and wind chimes, most Exhart products include a lot of color and movement. At Hibbs, these products retail from $9.98 to $49.98.
For more: Exhart, (800) 775-5503; www.exhart.com.
Natural fertilizer
Fertrell Super Plus 3-2-7 is an excellent, all-purpose natural fertilizer that can be used on all plants or as a soil conditioner. It won't burn foliage. Hibbs sells it in a 10-pound bag for $10.98, 25-pound bag for $16.98 and 50-pound bag for $28.98.
For more: Fertrell, (717) 367-1566; www.fertrell.com.
Green goods
Roses
A favorite at Hibbs is April in
For more: Jackson & Perkins, (800) 545-3444; www.jproses.com.
Exotic hibiscus
Hibbs sells a lot of hibiscus plants, which have flowers the size of a small plate. The flowers come in an interesting mixture of flowers. A dramatic new line, Cajun hibiscus, boasts vigorous growth and beautiful blooms, even in Florida’s hot summers. Hibbs sells hibiscus for $39.95.
For more: Dupont Nursery (via H.B. Martin Co.), (800) 259-1992; www.dupontnursery.com.
Orchids
Hibbs customers stop by on a regular basis to check out the weekly delivery of stunning orchids, grown locally by Orchid Mania. The orchids retail for $19.95 to $49.95.
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For more: Orchid Mania, (941) 322-1678; www.orchid-mania.com.
July 2008