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Dobbies Garden Centre, Birtley


Dobbies Garden Centre, Birtley


Entrance to Dobbies Garden Centre at Birtley
Click the picture to enlarge it.

The Birtley branch of Dobbies is a medium to large garden centre. Following the Dobbies formula a large amount of store space is devoted to gifts, clothes and other non-gardening items.

This is a totally independent GardenAction opinion of Dobbies Garden Centre in Birtley, Durham. Click any picture to enlarge it.

DOBBIES GARDEN CENTRE, BIRTLEY - THE PLANTS


Outdoor garden plants area The outdoor plants area is medium sized and arranged in a rather boring grid of paths. The paths themselves though are wide enough for disabled access and are clear of debris.

All plants come with the traditional Dobbies five year hardy plants guarantee. The quality of the plants is excellent. Although this garden centre specialises in no particular area, most gardeners will be be satisfied with the range on offer.


Although all Dobbies garden centres do share some common elements, the signing of the outdoor plants area varies to a large degree. At Dobbies Garden centre, Birtley, the overhead signs are large but they only indicate growing conditions (e.g. full sun). No signs indicate where plants groups are to be found. On top of this omission, the plants are organised randomly rather than in any alphabetic order. Signs in outdoor plants area at Dobbies, Birtley


This may sound rather minor if you are simply browsing the plants area. But if you visit to buy a Potentilla and a Hebe for instance, you will be hard-pressed to easily find where the plants are located.

The information centre is in the middle of the outdoor plants area and stocks a wide variety of reading material. It was not manned at the time of our visit though.

The normal range of garden compost, stones, fencing and other garden hardware is there. Some of the outdoor area is covered but most of the area containing the plants is open to the elements.


DOBBIES GARDEN CENTRE, BIRTLEY - THE PRICES

note clematis may not be in season

Rose bush (named variety) �6.99 upwards

Common shrub (e.g. hebe) �5.99

Clematis �11.99 upwards (�3.99 for a 1 litre pot)

Runner Bean seeds �3.30

Multipurpose Compost 60l �3.99 or 3 for �10 (Dobbies)

Miracle Gro 1kg �4.99

Stainless steel fork �21.99 (Dobbies)

Economy spade �13.99 (Dobbies)

Tomorite 1 litre �3.69

Blood Fish and Bone - 3.5kg �5.99

Medium cup of coffee in cafe �1.60



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