Frequently Asked Questions
PLANTS
What’s new?
Check out our list of new plants here.
Do you grow Native perennials?
While we do grow a small number of native species, we grow a larger number of named cultivars of native species. To check out our complete plant lineup, click here.
Do you sell perennials all year?
You bet! We maintain plant inventory 12 months of the year, however, our selection varies depending on the season. To see what is available now, check our Availability List.
Are Your Herbs Certified Organic?
We are not organic certified, however we do try to only use pesticides that are approved by OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute). Additionally, our expert team of growers meticulously works to create the ideal environment to make sure our herbs and edibles are less prone to parasites and infection, so that pest controls are only used when needed. Our herbs and edible plants are also grown in green houses separate from our other plants that are grown in more conventional means. We are happy to supply you with our list of materials used for growing if needed.
What is OMRI?
Millcreek Gardens uses products approved by OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) for use on our herb and edible plants. The OMRI publishes an extensive independent review of products intended for use in organic production, handling and processing. OMRI’s standards are based on the USDA’s National Organic Standards Program.
I Want Certified Organic Plants; Can You Grow Them For Me?
We offer custom growing programs based on quantities needed. The organic certification process is lengthy and more costly, but we’d be happy to have a conversation with you on your needs.
How can I receive your current Availability?
You can subscribe to our weekly Availability List, sent via email every Thursday, by contacting us here.
Do you have other plants not listed on your Availability? Can I purchase them?
Yes! We produce many items that will not appear on our current Availability for various reasons. These plants may be cut back, small or oversize on top, off center in the pot, or otherwise not “Retail Ready”. Landscapers often purchase items from this group. You may request specific items you are looking for anytime, and we’ll let you know their status!
ORDERING
Do you have minimum orders?
For orders to be delivered, we do have minimum order requirements based upon the distance from Millcreek to your location. Specific details and charges are listed here. We do NOT have minimum orders for orders that will be picked up at our nursery.
Can I order online?
We currently accept orders via email, fax, and phone. However, we plan to incorporate online ordering in the near future. Stay tuned!
What is the best way to place an order?
Our weekly Availability List is offered as an Excel spreadsheet. The best way to submit your order is to complete our electronic Availability List (or Order Form if you are submitting a Pre-Book Spring Order) and email your order to us.
What is a Pre-Book Spring Order and how do I place one?
A Pre-Book Spring Order is a pre-booked order that you can place with us to secure plant material for the upcoming Spring season. We accept these orders months in advance of your requested ship date – anywhere from September through mid-March of the season you wish to receive your plants. Most customers place an order for plants they would like to receive on their first shipment. After their initial shipment they order plants from our weekly Availability List for fresh weekly shipments. We do accept Pre-Book Spring Orders with multiple ship dates. These are essentially individual orders, that will be delivered on the dates you specify. All of the items you have requested on a specific date will be shipped to you on that date. The best way to get your order to us is to complete our Excel Order Form (in Excel file format) and email your order to us.
How do I place orders for multiple ship dates?
It’s easy! Your order can be completed electronically using our Excel Order Form. We ask that you complete one Order Form (in Excel file format) for each date you would like to receive a shipment, then email your order to us. If you do not have Excel, you can FAX the Order Form to us using one Order Form for each shipment.
When should I have my Pre-Book Spring Order submitted?
Pre-Book Spring Orders must be placed by March 1, 2017. Of course, we welcome orders after this date by placing an order from our Availability List.
Can I break flats, how many pots do I need to order?
Our Annuals, Herbs, Groundcovers, Perennials, and Succulents are grown in flats. If full flat quantities are not ordered in March, April and May only, there is a special handling charge of $.50 per pot to cover our additional labor. This charge also applies to our Edibles, Pro #1, IMPACT and Peony pots if ordered quantities are less than five pots of each variety during the same period of March, April, and May.
Can I add items to an existing order from your current Availability?
Yes, you can add on to your existing order. Any add on items should be ordered by 12 noon, 2 days prior to your scheduled delivery day. For further details, click here.
Can I add items to a scheduled future order from your CURRENT Availability?
Our weekly Availability List shows what we have available for immediate shipment in the current week. While you may request plants for a future date, we cannot guarantee that we will have them available at a future ship date beyond the current week.
I ordered an item and it was confirmed, but I didn’t receive it when I received my plants – why not?
We love receiving your Pre-Book Spring orders as well as orders placed from our weekly Availability! We all acknowledge that we are growing living plants which can acquire diseases, insects, or experience a setback due to circumstances beyond our control. We also source plant material from outside vendors, when necessary, and we ourselves receive crop failure notifications from time to time. We do our best to communicate any crop shortages or failures to you in advance, and do apologize if you don’t receive every single item on your order, as that is our goal! Historically we average over 95% order fulfillment rates.
If I miss the weekly order deadline for my delivery area, can I still get my order by the weekend?
We will do all we can to get you plant material as quickly as possible. We ask for you to please work with us on when we are able to deliver your order. During peak season, we are often able to deliver on weekends.
How much lead time do you need for pickup orders?
During the months of March, April, and May, please allow 2 days from the time your order is placed until you arrive to pick them up. This allows us time to process, pick, and prepare your order during our action-packed Spring season. Other months of the year we can generally process orders in less than 2 days. Unscheduled walk-in customers may experience an extended wait during the busy Spring season.
How much lead time is necessary for a Custom Grown order? Is there a deposit required?
Lead time will vary depending upon the item(s) on your Custom Grown order as well as the season in which you will need the plants. We do require a 50% deposit. For more details, click here.
What is the easiest way to find out if you have a plant in stock and ready to ship?
For new inquiries, the best means is to check our online Availability List which shows what we have available to ship in the current week. If you have an inquiry about an item on your Pre-Book Spring Order and you do not see the item on our current Availability List, please call us and we will be happy to check on the item for you. You are welcome to call us at any time – we are happy to chat with you on the phone about your needs.
Do you offer discounts?
Yes, we offer volume discounts per shipment based on dollar value.
Orders over $1,500 receive a 2% discount.
Orders over $3,000 receive a 4% discount.
QUOTES
Do you quote plant material? How do I get a quote for a Landscape bid?
Yes, we are happy to put together a quote for your needs. Please email or fax us your list of plant material along with the date you will need to receive the plants. We will review your requests with our inventory and production plans and respond to you as quickly as we can!
SHIPPING & ADDITIONAL SERVICES
What are the freight charges to my area?
Our Delivery Services charges are dependent upon the distance from Millcreek to your location. Details are listed here.
Can you drop the delivery racks?
We are able to accommodate rack drops on a limited basis. If you are interested in discussing the possibility of this service and whether or not if may fit your needs, please contact us.
Do you deliver to a job site?
Yes, we certainly deliver to job sites! All you need to do is specify the location is a job site, and the shipping address of the location when you place your order.
Do you offer pre-pricing? What does it cost?
Yes, we offer a Custom Pre-Pricing service for a nominal charge. You can choose between four sizes of stickers, each with different price points that are noted on our enrollment forms.
Do you offer Custom Growing?
Yes, we have a Custom Growing program. If you are interested in learning more about it, click here.
Do you ship UPS or FedEx?
Currently, we only ship on our own trucks and do not ship via UPS or FedEx.
Can I shop without placing an order first?
We welcome you to shop year round. If possible, we encourage you to call in advance of your visit, so we may have a Team Member available to assist you. In the busy Spring season, there may be an extended wait for unscheduled walk-in customers.
ABOUT MILLCREEK
Where is Ostrander, OH?
Ostrander is located 30 minutes northwest of Columbus, OH. We are conveniently located North of US Rt. 42, in between Dublin and Delaware.
Do you sell to Big Box stores?
No, we do not sell to any big box stores. Our customer base includes Independent Garden Centers, Landscapers, Farm Markets, Municipalities, Golf Courses, Schools and Universities, and the like.
What POP materials are available?
We currently offer a POP Signage bundle of plant lists as well as Kitchen Essentials Marketing kit for our herbs. Contact us for details.
How can I get a copy of your Catalog?
You can request a catalog here.