J H Ward and Sons

I was overwhelmed and impressed when I first saw this store from the outside. It was surrounded by trays of little flowers and plants, which is quite a sight in Birmingham. Some of the plants are vegetables too. I like this aspect of the shop as you can see that it is all fresh produce. Inside is even better as the store is stocked from top to bottom with fresh food produce. The prices are fairly cheap too, which I think is great as I would expect to pay more money for food that is fresh. The potatoes in particular are wonderful! The staff are friendly and have always been quite chatty when I have popped in. They also seem to know a lot about the produce that they sell as last time I popped in I overheard them talking to a customer and advising her on how to care for a certain plant! It is a lovely place and it is worth a visit.

A greengrocers and a garden centre, all crammed into a space normally occupied by a cornershop, this place is a bit of an oasis on the slightly run-​down Stirchley High Street.
Outside you’ll find a great selection of shrubs, plants and vegetables to plant in your garden, and at extremely reasonable prices. I get the impression that most of the items for sale, and in particular the veg plants, have been grown by hand, either by the shop themselves or else by a trusted local nursery — the care and attention is evident in each plant, and these are clearly not the product of some anonymous über-​greenhouse knocking out bedding plants by the thousand.
Inside the store is cool and welcoming and beautifully stocked with fresh, organic produce that is a treat for the eyes and nose. After visiting this place you’ll think twice about selecting the somewhat tired looking veg on offer at the local supermarket — this is super-​fresh stuff that looks and smells great.
The staff are friendly and helpful and know their stuff, both about the plants and the produce. They are also pretty fair — if you select a plant that is the last one available and it looks a wee bit sorry for itself, they’ll normally either knock something off the price, or else not charge you at all.
Highly recommended!

This buisness wins marks before I’ve even entered the door by having what is undoubtedly the prettiest store front of any of the buisnesses I’ve written about thus far. Painted light blue, potted plants in bloom are displayed along the one side whilst fresh fruit and vegetables stretch out along the other. For a second, I feel as if I’m in rural Wales or Cornwall rather than a neglected corner of England’s second biggest city. I’m also pleased to say the shop itself doesn’t disappoint with a great selection available for cash and carry prices, though anyone is allowed to shop there. Much product is locally sourced — another plus point. Potoatoes are a speciality as you probably guessed by name, but the huge range of potted plants also make the place worth a visit if you’re looking for something for the garden as well as something for your plate. There’s also a selection of nuts, local pickles and other odds and ends to fill up any space left on the shelves of this great store. A gem of a shop.