Analyzing 5,890,1035.9M ReviewsFor 16,26616.3K Experts

Starkie Bros Garden Center logo

Starkie Bros Garden Center

Garden center · Baxter Estates, NY · reviewed since 2015

How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%67+42.6Reliability 28%58+16.4Replies to reviews 8%100+8.2Momentum penalty86−1.4Experts Score= 66Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.66SCORE
BGradeLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#8 of 11 pond maintenance servicesPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 30%
4.7 ★★★★★ 123 Google reviews · 24 photos
85%five-star reviews
4.63★last 12 monthsAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
8%1–2★ in 2 yearsShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
89%reviews answered by the owner
Oct 2026latest review
📞 Call (516) 293-7148Request a call backWebsite ↗

Starkie Bros Garden Center at a glance

Google reviewers rate Starkie Bros Garden Center 4.7 out of 5 based on 123 reviews, with the owner responding to 89 percent of them. Customers frequently praise the extensive selection of plants, pond supplies, and garden accessories, noting that staff are generally knowledgeable and helpful with landscaping projects. However, several low-star reviews highlight significant issues with online order fulfillment, specifically citing delayed shipping dates, lack of communication, and poor customer service when contacting support.

  • Google rating: 4.7 out of 5 from 123 reviews (85% five-star).
  • Reviews on this page: 123 Google reviews (85 with written comments, 10 with photos).
  • Owner responses: the business replied to 89% of reviews.
  • Most recent review: October 18, 2026.
  • Service: Pond Maintenance Service serving Baxter Estates, New York.

Data from Google, last updated October 25, 2026.

Score profile vs other pond maintenance services

Score per factor (100 = best)Each factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: replies to reviews and momentum; weakest: reliability.

Satisfaction67Reliability58Craft & service–Value–Momentum86Replies to reviews100Satisfaction: 67 (median 85)Reliability: 58 (median 80)Momentum: 86 (median 100)Replies to reviews: 100 (median 78)
Starkie Bros Garden CenterPond Maintenance Services median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactionSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Starkie Bros Garden Center: 67/100 on this factor. Category median: 85.B
67
ReliabilityReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Starkie Bros Garden Center: 58/100 on this factor. Category median: 80.C
58
Craft & serviceCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 79.–
–
ValueValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 99.–
–
MomentumMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Starkie Bros Garden Center: 86/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
86
Replies to reviewsReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Starkie Bros Garden Center: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 78.A
100

Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.

Star ratings

123 Google reviews we collected

  • 5 stars10585%
  • 4 stars119%
  • 3 stars11%
  • 2 stars11%
  • 1 star54%

Praise vs complaints

Phrases our text analysis found in 85 written reviews

  • Praise7595%
  • Complaints45%

Topic share

How often each topic comes up in the written reviews

  • Staff & attitude4456%
  • Price & value1620%
  • Quality & results79%
  • Would recommend56%
  • Speed & response34%
  • Communication23%
  • Honesty & trust23%

What customers talk about

We read 85 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.

  • “I wanted to try some new plants and they were extremely helpful in selecting the right plants fir the varying degrees of shade and syn.”
  • “They have a wonderful organic seedling selection that is competitively priced.”
    “Good operation been around a long time,nice plants and fish section a little pricey.”
  • “Starkie Bros has always done a great job starting with my parents home 40 years ago, and then at my home; my backyard and especially the front of my h…”
  • “I don't normally give 5 stars to an establishment solely on a whim but Starkie caught me by surprise.”
  • “My order was shipped promptly and the plants I received where of top quality and after being put into containers they took off like wild fire.”
  • “They are incredibly responsive, easy to communicate with, and ensured our order arrived on time.”
  • “I'm glad I can trust Starkie Bros for this reason.”

praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.

Recent reviews

JamesLocal Guide · 22 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 weeks ago★

Every worker is too busy to help me, never seen anything like it, no one at registers either

VirginiaLocal Guide · 51 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★

My favorite nursery on Long Island. Great for houseplant stuff, garden stuff, pond stuff, pretty much everything you could possibly need. Very friendly staff too. 😊

Matt4 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★

We go to starkies all the time and it's always great. Lori in the fish department is the best!

Dennis9 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★

Great variety of garden and pond and planting and home supplies. Knowledgeable experienced staff. Family owned business. Support local. :)

carloLocal Guide · 252 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 months ago★★★★★

Love going here. They have so much to choose from. They have alot of great nursery stock. We buy quite a bit of products from here.

matthewLocal Guide · 49 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 months ago★★★★★

Love the multiple options for herbs, veggies and flowers. Many varieties of plant food and pesticides deterents items. Great staff and very knowledgeable.

Compare with

Photos

Customer reviews

4.7 ★★★★★ 123 reviews on Google · rating breakdown

Reviews from Google, shown as published (original wording, unedited).

Jobs customers hired them for — from Google's service tags and the review text
Team members customers mention
Filter by topic — each topic is highlighted in the reviews in the same color
Steven HeckmanLocal Guide · 41 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Steven has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Amazing business and Family!

Response from the owner · Edited 4 days ago

Thanks Steve!

James DonovanLocal Guide · 22 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews James has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Every worker is too busy to help me, never seen anything like it, no one at registers either

Virginia KingLocal Guide · 51 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Virginia has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

My favorite nursery on Long Island. Great for houseplant stuff, garden stuff, pond stuff, pretty much everything you could possibly need. Very friendly staff too. 😊

Response from the owner · a month ago

Thanks for the great review! What an honor to be your favorite!

Matt Luisi4 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Matt has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

We go to starkies all the time and it's always great. Lori in the fish department is the best!

Response from the owner · 2 months ago

Thanks for the 5 stars! We agree, Lori IS the best!

Dennis Roarke9 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Dennis has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Great variety of garden and pond and planting and home supplies. Knowledgeable experienced staff. Family owned business. Support local. :)

Response from the owner · 2 months ago

Thanks Dennis!

john k1 reviewTotal number of Google reviews john has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Great staff and a actually a cool place to visit and look around.

Response from the owner · 3 months ago

Thanks John!

carlo NardelliLocal Guide · 252 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews carlo has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Love going here. They have so much to choose from. They have alot of great nursery stock. We buy quite a bit of products from here.

Response from the owner · 3 months ago

Thank you Carlo! We appreciate your great review and your business.

matthew corneliaLocal Guide · 49 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews matthew has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Love the multiple options for herbs, veggies and flowers. Many varieties of plant food and pesticides deterents items. Great staff and very knowledgeable.

Response from the owner · 3 months ago

Thanks Matthew! We appreciate your business!

Yael WLocal Guide · 914 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Yael has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

This garden center has some of the best varieties and plant prices on the island. My go to for veggies in the garden and native pollinator plants.

Response from the owner · 4 months ago

Thanks Yael!

J ArancibiaLocal Guide · 68 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews J has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

I find this place to be great.

Response from the owner · 4 months ago

Thanks J!

Starkie Bros Garden Center on Google Maps →

Business details