Had been visiting various garden centers in search of Peruvian Lillies, without success! Finally at Sloats in Novato, I found three plants - but a little in distress! I spotted a garden employee, and he explained to me the reason why these plants looked a little distressed, but how once planted, there tubercular system would revive the plant with proper care! I was hesitant to buy, so he offered to look on Computer, if other Sloats in Marin would have Peruvian Lillie's - the answer was No! The next day I went back to Sloats, thanked Cameron for educating me on the Peruvian Lillies, and made my purchase - now in the ground in my garden! Thank you Sloats for knowledgable and helpful employees like Cameron! read more

We have been customers at this location for the 5 years we have lived in our home. Unfortunately, due to a poorly handled customer service experience, we won't be able to support them any longer and will take our business to summer winds down the road. Their first main register is faulty and sometimes likes to freeze in the middle of a transaction (they know this but continue to use it) and then it double charges customers. This happened to us, and the employee even joked that she hoped we weren't double charged because it's been happening. (then why are you still using that register is beyond me) We were in fact, double charged and we brought the credit card statement along with the receipt back to Sloat, but they told us this was something we need to take up with our bank. We had then spent 45 minutes on the phone with the bank and the bank said we need to take it up with the business. (after all, it is the business's fault.) Sloat would not do a normal return for the duplicate transaction, and instead called a manager who was on speakerphone and was clearly annoyed to have to handle the situation. We were then contacted by a representative from their corporate office who said he can't process the return unless he has the credit card on hand, which would then force us to drive all the way down to Mill Valley to process this return. After negotiating with him and explaining we live in Novato and will not be traveling to Mill valley for this, he said well why don't you go back to the location and get a plant for the same price. That's not what we needed. This was a purchase made with a corporate credit card used to purchase a corporate gift and we needed the refund. (also, why on earth are they making this so difficult for us when all they have to do is a return for one of the transactions that was duplicated?!) after SO much time wasted and way too much back-and-forth he finally processed the return using the credit card numbers over the phone. We just really feel like Sloat could, and should do much better, and hopefully they can learn from this experience. But the sour taste is already in our mouth and we will not be going to Sloat any longer. So be careful purchasing at that first main register!!! read more

Since I'm new to gardening, I decided to visit Sloat Garden Center as I know they're a locally owned small business. I didn't find any plants I wanted there, as I already had purchased some elsewhere. I checked out their pottery, but it's really expensive. Unfortunately, I was not very happy with my purchase, I bought Lady Bugs; yes, Lady Bugs ... and the woman told me to take them home, put them in the fridge and release them in the evening. I read the instructions on the container, and left it in place for 24 hours; well, half the Lady Bugs were DEAD, yes, DEAD. I'll give them another shot some day. read more

Sloat Garden Center - A little shopping - Nurseries & Gardening Near Me - Novato, California

Very friendly and highly knowledgeable staff. This place has a great selection of succulents, flowers, vegetables and other plants. As well as Plants native to CA Sloat Gardens has a very wide selection of bag soil and mulch, for all uses. The staff will even load your vehicle, no problem! They're my go-to for all things garden. read more

Sloat on Novato Blvd has been my go-to garden center for the last 20 years or so, and I've experienced ups and downs with them. For the past few years it's been all positive, and my visit yesterday just put extra stars. Like every gardeners, I was itching to go get plants during this Covid shutdown. Needed tomato plants and other veggie starters that I normally plant in April. I was weary of going, but I'm happy to report that their store was set up amazingly for no-contact, safely distanced shopping. It was much better than any of the grocery stores I've been to. They even sanitized the keypad for the card reader right after I used it. Face coverings are required to enter, and all of the staff are wearing masks and gloves. Everyone is kind and helpful. Thanks Sloat for much needed ray of sunshine. Please survive this, because we all need brightness in our lives. I'll be back soon! read more

I don't know what problems people have with this store but I've been here twice and both experiences were pleasant and everyone was friendly and went out of their way to be helpful. Also, some items here, are cheaper than what you will find online and since everyone online is price gouging take that for what its worth because I think their prices are very reasonable in this present day and age. read more

I don't know why they have such bad reviews. I'd like to provide a stellar review for the best customer service experience in years! I purchased two Genie Magnolia trees and planted them. One proved to be labeled wrong and wasn't actually a Genie variety but a light pink. I emailed customer service with pictures and the President of the company emailed me back and completely took care of it. I am blown away and so happy! Thank you Dave and Sloat for excellent resolution/customer service! read more

Useful advise on products and know the local possibilities Good selection of plants that grow locally read more

Sloat is a great neighborhood place to get the items you need for your garden! They have a helpful staff and are really knowledgeable. This particular location has lots of fruit trees out front to choose from. We purchased an orange tree and a grapefruit tree and both are doing great! One time we bought a flowering bush that didn't do very well. Sloat happily took the bad bush back and we received a replacement. They have a buyers club that's free to join so make sure you sign up to get your freebie now and then! Good job, Sloat! read more

Best help in town. Hands down it's worth the extra few minutes to get there. Their prices are not atrocious either. I have had nothing but great help and friendly service. Hands down best in Novato!!! read more

As long s you do not need to deal with HQ personnel SLOAT GARDEN CENTER ROCKS! I've been to the Marin county locations and they are all great. I've emailed in to ask about plant availability (using vague common name of it) and received a response super fast, correct name (very polite and cute) told which location had it and offer to have a couple moved to my preferred location for checking it out. I prefer the San Rafael store. Nicer register / check out people. read more

Such a beautiful garden center with very helpful and knowledgeable staff. I have grown up coming here and it never disappoints. Whether you are new to gardening or a pro this is the place to come. read more

Sloat Garden Center - Nurseries & Gardening Near Me - Novato, California

I like this location. The selection is good and the staff is helpful. I live closer to another Sloat but prefer coming to this one.

I wish I could leave a better review. I feel like it is a beautiful nursery with a decent selection - not the best I've seen, but much more than many. I have shopped here many times for veggie starts. Most of the employees are friendly and helpful if asked. The real problem is for the $250+ purchase I made last fall on flowers, shrubs, and a tree. The majority of them failed and I'm out the money for the original purchase and have to spend more to replace them. This was not neglect on my part. I watered religiously. I bought a macadamia nut tree, which they had about five of. All off them looked a little dry, but I was assured that when planted in the ground and given water it would perk up. Well, it stayed the same looking all through the wet winter and finally died one day in May. I also had purchased about six Santa Barbara daisies which somehow died. Two of my three lavender plants died. All five of my other flowering shrubs died suddenly within the same month. My potted vinca minor bowles periwinkle flower died within a couple months. My three cuphe hysso lavender lace plants have not yet died, but are as tiny as they were when I planted them and not looking great. The failure rate with my plants from this nursery was so high. I'm so disappointed. Maybe it was somehow me, but I don't know how. The plants are only guaranteed for 30 days, during which you can exchange your plants only with receipt. I won't be coming back. read more

This review is a thank you for fantastic, above and beyond customer service AND a Father's Day tribute to John's dad. John works at Sloat but if he ever wants a job from me, I'd hire him in a second because of his good upbringing and integrity. We stopped by Sloat on a Saturday to buy a gift for a friend. Baby girl was asleep so we took turns going in while the other sat in the car listening to music and keeping sleeping girl company. We found some lovely blueberry pants on sale- bought two, a fern, and some bulk potting soil. Hubby finally returned to the car with John who helped load. Sweet! But the car wouldn't start! An hour of chilling with the music off=dead battery. John jumped into assistance. He RAN to get his car with jumper cables then told us, "My dad always told me to be prepared for anything and he's been right more often than not." He quickly hooked us up and SNAP like that we were ready to roll with some lovely plants and a whole lot of gratitude toward Sloat's fantastic employee, John. read more

One of the larger Sloat locations in the chain. Has all the landscaping items that you need. I like the glazed planter pots from Viet Nam. Pretty colors. And if you hang them upside down with a rope you can make musical gongs. Check them out for different notes. Start a gamelan orchestra in your own garden. read more

Yes, Its all overpriced. But they do have an exceptional selection of winter veggies and perennials. I love their container creations. Great place to wander around and be inspired. read more

What store isn't open at 2:03am? 2:03 is the best time to get costumers, lmk who doesn't know that.

Overpriced plants. Limited quantities of perennials. Unpredictable stock. Crabby women who look like they're going to cry if you dare interrupt their watering to ask a question. There 'Rewards' card is a crock- all you get is a lousy 10% coupon regardless of how much you've spent there. Make the drive to Cottage Growers in Petaluma for a top notch alternative with better prices. read more

really nice people. knowledgeable and and along w the plants they have a beautiful line of pots. highly recommend.

I've appreciated this nursery for decades. The staff have always been knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful in ordering plants and in giving expert advice. read more

Good selection but be prepared to be treated as a criminal if you mention chemical pest control. I asked if they carry Sevin and learned that it was pulled from the market years ago. Oddly enough Home Depot still carries it. read more

Sloat is to garden centers as Whole Foods is to grocery stores, so not really something I can afford all the time. I love to get ideas and seeds here. I also took in a pitiful bunch of chard for diagnosis and was confident that the staff knew their stuff. There are often coupons for free plants on return visits too. read more

I went to sloat on Novato Boulevard about 4 months ago to buy some lettuce starts. I'm not going to talk about prices because everyone knows sloat is pricey. I stood outside staring at 6-7 soil choices and didn't receive any help on that. No biggie. I'm a big boy. I go inside and immediately feel like I'm crossing the path of a black cat. I smile at one or two of the employees and get looked over with nose in the air in return. Agh. I'm a big boy!! 2-3 employees ask me if I'm finding everything. I say yes and that I'm just looking around. Bravo. But, one or two of them gave me the stink eye for being such a novice, or for wearing black or for being a young male or for something totally unrelated to me, I don't know. Shrug. I don't need them to be a big boy. The plants I was looking at seemed healthy so I picked out a couple. I got to the register and shelled it out. I politely declined the offer to buy a sloat card and get some discount, which apparently was stupid. The woman haggled me about it and said something like it would very prudent to purchase a membership to sloat. Would she call me a big boy?? She didn't say thank you for spending $18, but did offer to help me out to my car. I am officially not a big boy. In summary, don't accost me with your sloat rewards program and the employees clearly need to get over themselves. But thanks for asking me if I need help, and for having nice plants. In the future, I'd rather go somewhere else, but might go there again as a second choice. read more

Good place for garden stuffs but over price though !!!!

Generally, I like this place. The service is pretty good. The selection is good. Also, they humiliate customers who attempt to return plants that fare poorly. I was a little self-conscious bringing in a totally dead plant, which they said I must do to exchange it. Of course, it looked horrible in the yard so I pulled it out and took it in when I next had the chance - a week later. So I carry this brown, dried up Rhoddy in and then get the third degree on its care and feeding. After this treatment, they did replace the plant and attempted to urge me to reform my plant killing ways. I tried to reassure them that I had two other plants in the exact same vicinity completely verdant and thriving, but to no avail. I was publically harrangued after my public humiliation. Actually, it was not that public, only a couple of other customers were there. But in spite of the trauma (maybe I exaggerate?), I still shop here some, because it is still a good shop, though I do go to Armstrong's more - no traumatic memories there. Not yet at least! read more

The staff are so condescending - no matter what you say, they give you a disapproving answer. (They are master gardeners and know so much more than you do.) And so pricey to boot. I'm heading elsewhere. read more

I moved to Novato a year ago and really loved this garden center. I shopped there frequently for my home and office and was pleased with the personal attention and knowledge base of their staff. I made a very expensive purchase for my front porch of two large plants and had help from them picking out the pots and fertilizer. I placed the plants 3 feet apart at my front entry door, both in the same part shade area. Several months later one of the plants flourished and the other one died. I took a photo of both plants together and showed it to a store employee and he assured me I could exchange the plant. I returned later that day with the plant and the employee called the manager over to see the return. That's when everything changed. The store manager became very rude trying to blame me for the plants death, including telling me that I did not water it correctly, I did not fertilize correctly and that I put it in too small of a pot. Showing him a picture of the plants side by side and telling him that his staff helped me pick out the pots didn't matter. He made me feel embarrassed in front of other customers and when I said goodbye as he passed he flatly ignored me. read more

Good selection, fair prices, but most of all, I appreciate the time they take in answering questions and giving advice... We've been there several times working on a front yard project, and Mary Ann and the other nice ladies are always so pleasant and helpful !! Kudos to our local nursery for providing such wonderful service ! Thanks :) read more

Sloat Garden Center in Novato is ok, not superlative by any means. Also, this store, for all its Bonsai claims, lacks the needed, appropriate pots and tools; and even less, does not carry Bonsai specimens. It's certainly not like being in the Los Angeles area for your Bonsai necessities. read more