All plants are not created equal, nor are tools, potting mixes, and most gardening implements. So to get what you want for your garden — the best quality, a true bargain, or something really strange (such as an electric bulb-planting drill) — you need to know where to shop:

• Nurseries: In addition to plants and information, larger nurseries offer seeds, bulbs, soil amendments, bark mulches, containers, fertilizers, pesticides, tools, irrigation supplies, and even garden ornaments.

• Hardware stores and home-building centers: Look to these places for garden tools and materials to build garden structures, such as lumber, nails, and twine for trellises.

• Farm and feed stores: These stores are a great source for seeds, tools, soil amendments, fertilizers, pesticides, fencing, and irrigation supplies.

• Discount stores: If you know a quality product by brand name or know how to judge the quality of a product, you may find a true bargain at a discount store. But just because something is inexpensive doesn’t mean that it’s a bargain. Heed this warning: Know what you’re paying for.

• Mail order: Shopping by mail greatly broadens your choice of seeds, plants, tools, and supplies. However, besides having to wait for delivery, you can’t see what you’re buying. Make sure, then, that your sources — especially nurseries — are reliable.