Happy Friday, friends! 

I was checking out perennials at a local garden center this week, with my daughter. Boy, do I love imagining all the gardens I would plant if I had an endless expanse of flower beds. 

At one point, my daughter and I were looking at planters and came across some seriously ridiculous designs. 

We both found ourselves wondering if the designers of these pots had ever tended a plant in their entire lives. 

As much as I love wandering around the local nursery and garden centers brimming with plants, I’m amazed at all the junk that’s touted as "necessary" or meant to make gardening easier, but is an absolute waste of money. 

So, in the hopes of helping you keep more green in your wallet and in your plants, here is a list of items you should always skip at the garden center.