Stein Garden & Home

As garden centers go, it’s okay.
This is a newer location for the Stein’s chain, located in the former Hawks Garden center in west Tosa (the landscaping part of the business retains the Hawks name), Be aware that this is by far the smallest Steins in the area, meaning your choices will be fairly limited.
Like all Steins, the interior is split between true gardening stuff (tools, fertilizers, etc) and decorina crap (candles, whatever old ladies are buying on QVC). The exterior is reserved for actual plants.
We went with the aim of picking up a ½ dozen or so perennials to replace some things that had died off and found the selection passable at best. Probably 70%+ of the stock was annuals — not much beyond the most common varieties for perennials. Despite being early in the season, most of the stock looked pretty rough — blown out, somewhat overgrown and definitely rootbound. That’s what happens when you’re not growing stuff in your own greenhouses.
Just looking for a flat of impatiens to spruce up your walkway? Steins will do you just fine.
Serious gardener? Head south to Mileagers.

I used to love Hawks Nursery. It was nicer than chain nurseries and often had items I couldn’t find other places. Now it’s just another Stein’s. I sadly will not be going back.

As of April 2013, the old Hawks nursery was taken over by Stein.
We think this is the best of all the Stein locations. Outside nursery items are bountiful and beautifully maintained and cared for. The interior store and amount of products offered is on a smaller scale compared to other stores, but the space is so much more inviting, quaint/​cozy and has an upscale feel to it.
The folks who work here provide happy, friendly and knowledgeable service. We were told that some of the old Hawks employees were hired-​on when Stein took over. A few of them have horticultural degrees; a big difference when it comes to the care of flowers/​plants and the expertise regarding planting, maintenance and suggestions they offer their customers.