It's that time of the year where we head to the garden center to purchase plants. Here are a few tips to purchasing a healthy plant?

Quality of garden center - Take an overview of the plant department. Look to see if the plants look healthy. Are there a lot of wilted or browned plants? Chances are good the rest of the plants are not being given great care.

Foliage – Evaluate the condition of your specific plant. Are the leaves green, shiny and lush? Steer clear of any plants that are wilting or yellow. Stressed plants may not recover.

Shape – Consider the shape of the plant. Is it compact and full, with multiple stems? Taller is often not better.

Insects & disease – Inspect closely for signs of insects or disease. Check both sides of the leaves and the potting soil. Signs can include; blackened areas, holes, spots, mushy areas, stickness and distortions.

Root system – Carefully, pull the plant out of the pot. A dense root ball means the plant has been in the container too long and may not do well. If there aren't many roots. it was probably recently repotted and could use more time to become garden worthy.

Stem damage – If the plant has a thick or woody stem, make sure there are no cracks or scars. Even prior damage can weaken a plant.

Weeds – The last thing you want to do is introduce a new weed into your garden.

Buds & flowers – Although it's tempting to buy a plant that is already covered in flowers, plants in bud will transplant and thrive better. You'll get a longer bloom time at home if you purchase a plant that is in bud.

When all is said and done – Allow ample time when shopping for landscape garden or vegetable plants. Taking a little extra time to choose your new plants carefully is sure to result in you buying beautiful, healthy plants.