Inside Chittenden County

Winner
Gardener's Supply

Runner-Up
Claussen's Florist & Greenhouse

Outside Chittenden County

Winner
Evergreen Gardens of Vermont

Evergreen Gardens of Vermont has been in the same location in Waterbury Center for “a long time,” says Carol MacLeod, but she and her husband, Mike, bought the place from previous owners in 2002. They’ve been growing and selling flowers, organic vegetable starts and house plants ever since. Not to mention seeds, tools, pots, wreaths and garden doodads. At peak season, the MacLeods employ 14. That’s 28 green thumbs.

SEVEN DAYS: What’s the biggest mistake people make in their vegetable gardens?

CAROL MACLEOD: People don’t know their soil very well. You need to start with good garden soil, because you can’t fix it later.

SD: What plant makes you happy when you look at it?

CM: Peonies. I just love them.

—PAMELA POLSTON