It’s Garden Month at Mitre 10 MEGA Dunedin.
The Garden Centre at Mitre 10 MEGA Dunedin is the perfect place to come for your garden needs. Whether you’re just starting to find your green fingers, or you have a well-established orchard, they have it all.
The Garden Centre has a wide variety of quality products ranging from seeds to indoor and outdoor plants, as well as wonderful wooden cabins. The plants all come from reliable local and national suppliers and are always up to a high standard at a fantastic price. Although their quality is high, if a plant fails to thrive they offer a 12-month guarantee, whether that is a refund or a replacement, given what is in stock at the time.
A team full of expert gardeners, with some qualified horticulturists among them, work at the Centre. They are always more than willing to go the extra mile for Mitre 10 MEGA Dunedin customers in order for them to achieve their garden goals.
The staff can help with any sized garden or project. It may be a small courtyard or a larger plot; no matter the size, help is at hand. They are full of ideas and love to see the joy it brings customers when they can successfully help to bring a perfect garden or landscaped area to life.
There may be a plant or item required that is not currently in the store, or is not normally stocked, but the team will always do their best to try and source exactly what a customer wants.
Tayla Masson has worked at Mitre 10 MEGA Dunedin for the last nine years and been in the Garden Centre for a year as second-in-charge. She has a wide range of knowledge and has ‘grown’ a passion for all things green.
“I am currently completing my Level 3 Certificate in Horticulture,” says Tayla. “I cannot wait to provide all my knowledge to our shoppers and put it into practice. I love diving into new challenges and solving any problems to achieve a positive outcome for our customers.”
There is even a pot recycling scheme. “You can bring your clean, plastic (ID5) seedling and plant pots into the store,” says Tayla, “and, with our recycling partners, we’ll shred them and remould them into brand new pots!”
Colin Hutchinson, the Gardens Manager, re-iterates Mitre10’s service. “Regardless of time, customers are front of mind in all our decisions. I have 41 years retail experience and I love the industry as much as I did all those years ago! We have a passionate team here at Mitre 10 MEGA Dunedin and are here to help.”
The store also provides useful Gardening Guides. These are printed pamphlets that can be taken home. Alternatively, they are available digitally on the website. There are YouTube videos that help with many aspects of gardening. “Whether you are a beginner or an experienced horticulturist, there is a guide for everyone,” says Tayla.
Another helpful tool is a Garden Calendar Checklist. Those jobs that need to be tackled in the garden each month of the year can be read about online. The checklist covers a kitchen garden and edibles: when to sow seeds and small seedlings; protecting your plants; feeding, watering and mulching and, of course, the important harvesting. The gardening team can get you started on edibles, knowing there is something incredibly satisfying about growing your own food. Guidance can be given on where to plant, and when. On the website is a colourful illustrated calendar showing in which month you should plant each crop, and the approximate time before you can harvest and enjoy fresh healthy food.
“I am a passionate home gardener with merchandising experience, which I showcase in our Garden Centre displays,” says Mandy Holland, the Green Goods Coordinator. She has been part of the team for more than seven years. “The favourite part of my role is purchasing the plants that customers request and seeing the final result of their idea brought to life. Our team are customer obsessed and strive to achieve the best for everyone.”
The team includes advice on flowers and foliage. They can suggest garden colour, flowers for pots, and planting bushes for beneficial insects such as bees.
“I have been at Mitre 10 MEGA Dunedin for 12 years,” says Craig Hodge, Team Member. “I have a Level 4 Advanced Certificate in Horticulture which I actively use daily in our Garden Centre to offer customers the valuable advice and knowledge which will enable them to make the best purchase for their home gardens. I love seeing them walk away with a smile, knowing they have been given the advice they require.”
On Thursday, October 27th Mitre 10 MEGA Dunedin will be hosting a Home and Garden Evening from six to nine pm. To register, go to mitre10.co.nz/gardenevening. There is a gold coin donation at the door and all proceeds will go to Women's Refuge on the night.
Come down and visit this passionate, experienced team and start to transform your garden!
