Sloat Garden Center

I arrived about 15 minutes before they were closing, so I was trying to hurry and pick a few succulents for my desk (which was hard because there was a great selection).
When I was trying to choose a pot, I knocked over a plant and got soil all over the floor. At this point I was completely annoyed with myself, and would have understood if the employees were too. However, they were SO friendly and helpful. Even after I knocked the plant over they encouraged me to take my time and assured me it wasn’t a big deal. Thank you, Sloat, I’ll be back.

The deer resistant plant section is fantastic. The staff was very helpful finding shade friendly plants.

Over the years I have consistently got informed, helpful service yet today Donna Chapman, manager of the store gave over-​the-​top service, from finding me a scented plant for a very special birthday, a daphne + found one loaded with blossoms and wrapped it in red foil with a white ribbon, and tock it to my car. She was patient in looking at plants with me. If I had a store I’d hire her in a minute. Thank you. Parking is a free lot for this store and others ~ Kare Anderson

I’ve been getting my plants and soil from them for 3+ decades. The quality of what they sell is and knowledge of the staff are excellent. What they don’t readily know they will find out for you. If your plant you got from them bites the dust they will replace it. The only reason I don’t give them a 5^th star is that I wish they were bigger, but we’re lucky to have them at any size in this crazy expensive real estate market. I also like their selection of gloves, clippers and other garden products. It’s much easier for me to «weed out» what I want to buy here than in big overwhelming places like Home Depot. And to top it off, they will carry it to your car for you, or deliver it if it’s too big to bring in your car.

Never again! I have tried to like this Sloat Garden Center, and for all my visits and money spent there, simply cannot. Latest experience: I arrive on a slow day, not at a busy time (five cars in the parking lot) to see if there are any vegetable plants around. Small selecton because it is late in planting season is understandable. I tried to ask no less than three sales associates if vegetables were any place else – to no avail. All three associates – who seemed to be the only ones there – were with other customers. Okay, they have priority, and I get that, so I hunted for an associate not engaging with another customer. No one was around. So, back to the associates helping other customers. I approached each of the three, waited politely for a break in the conversation with the other customer and said, «May I please ask you a quick question?» All the time checking it out with the customer and all three nodded or said yes. One clerk ignored me; one told me she was with another customer and would get to me later; the third told me to wait my turn. All three turned away from me and walked off. In one case, leaving their current customer behind. I eventually left, without plants and definitely, with the determination to find another nursery in Marin.
Now, I don’t like it when I finally get a sales associate to help me and someone comes over and wants lots of attention. But if another customer has a quick question, I’m glad to give them that few seconds to ask the question and get a response and/​or have the associate call someone to help with the querying customer.
I don’t know what is going on at this location, but between the rude service and the prices, I’m never going back. There are other Sloat locations with kinder staff and other nurseries with better selection, prices and staff.

Went to Sloat the other day to get some veggies. They were so nice and so helpful. Walked away with so many answers and so much good information that I never expected. Unique veggies and herbs. Love the people, place and vibe!

Of the Sloats I’ve been to (this, the other Mill Valley location and the one on Lincoln in San Rafael) THIS one is my favorite.
I always find what I’m seeking here and usually end up bringing home something new and different as well. I haven’t seen as much variety, different and new plants, etc. at either of the locations. The one on Lincoln I don’t care for at all.
I LIKE that the staff doesn’t pester and try to «sell» you stuff. To me, being here is like being in a quiet park and most the time I want to be left alone. However, when I do need help I’ve never had any trouble finding a staff person.
My all time favorite nursery in Marin would be Sunnyside in San Anselmo — if this Sloat doesn’t have what you seek, definitely go there.

The Mill Valley location is under new management with a new and improved emphasis on customer service. If you haven’t been back in several years I encourage you to give them another chance.
The staff there is incredibly knowledgeable however, as everywhere, there will always be new seasonal employee’s who are often just learning the ropes.
They also have incredible seminars to take advantage of.
I wouldn’t shop anywhere else!

We love Sloat Garden Centers but had a very poor experience at the MV location. Tried to find shade plants that are deer resistant. Went through the entire staff to end up with a guy who did manage to find a list of deer resistant types but couldn’t read it to see if the plants they stocked were on the list or not. Hmmmmm. This fun excursion took about 40 minutes and we didn’t end up getting any plants but some water plants that we found by accident. Won’t be going back soon…

Oh where, oh where to buy plants now that it is time to get ready for Spring & Summer?
I buy almost all my plants at this Garden Center, since it is the one closest to my house.
The plants are healthy and vibrant.
The staff is friendly and extremely knowledgeable.
The parking lot is quite small, so get there early or you’ll be jocking for a space or carting your purchases out to the street.
Take a deep breath and start thinking about Spring Planting!