Educated Customers Are Making Smart Purchases

The green movement is about nothing if not education. Its momentum comes from showing you the difference between product A and product Green. Even customers who do not choose the greener option, initially, will likely make smarter purchases in the future thanks to greenies .

The first benefit comes from the environmentally friendly practice of reading labels and more specifically active ingredients. Those who actively read labels are helped in the following ways:

The same chemical may come in a liquid concentrate or a ready-to-use sprayer. By recognizing the same active ingredient marketed to you in a couple different forms, you can save money by choosing the least expensive form of application.

Customers who seek only a certain "Insecticidal Dust" based on brand marketing may find themselves frustrated and unnecessarily driving to more than one store to find it. If you know you only want "Scotts" this or "Ortho" that, you will likely overlook products that are less expensive, more effective, or otherwise better suited to your situation.

There is also the obvious benefit of learning the correct usage of a potentially hazardous chemical.


Greenies can also teach you useful terminology.

"Systemic" and "Contact" are two extremely helpful classifications, and they can help you in the following ways:

You've got roses that need repeated treatment with fungicide. The uneducated person might grab a bottle that says "fungicide" and think their problem is solved. If they grabbed a contact fungicide (even one with pretty roses on the label) though, they will not have the lasting effect of a systemic fungicide. Who wants to spray more when they don't have to do so?

You are spraying your vegetables or fruit trees for bugs, and you want something that will work like a champ. You like that systemic products last longer, but recognize that you don't want a chemical making its way through something you will eat.

You've got weeds and you need them dead. Most people will choose products that kill fast! Careful though. Just because the top of that weed is killed overnight with a contact herbicide doesn't mean the roots aren't clamoring to send up more growth in a few days.

Other buzz words and phrases that can help you out in the long run:
Pre-emergent-Great for keeping things from sprouting. Won't do diddly if it already has!

Post-emergent-Great for killing what has already sprouted. Won't do diddly to sprouting seeds.

Amend-To add to something. Amending soil improves plant growth.

Organic Matter-Soil that is not amended often has too little organic matter. Organic matter helps by retaining moisture and nutrients.

Soil Permeability-The ability of water to travel through soil.

Selective Herbicide - Kills only certain plants.

Non-selective-Kills everything.

Ph, Acid, Alkaline - Sometimes plants prefer a certain Ph. Nutrients are not absorbed correctly if the soil is too far in one direction or another.

Native - Naturally grows in this area.

Nonnative - Does not grow naturally in this area, and thereby may not be suited to our climate. Alternatively, it could be invasive like Kudzu.

The bottom line is a little information might help you more than you think.

The Nursery Is Full Of Activity-If Not Customers

Yoshi snapped this work of art before we convinced a willing customer to relocate the happy couple to a safer locale behind the Agapanthus. It's not polite to stare.

It seems that all of the rain we had in weeks past followed by this heat has sparked all kinds of activity.

These aphids are feasting on the juice from this Milk Weed Plant.

Don't reach for your spray bottle just yet. The aphids will soon be the main course for Lady Bugs and their larva. You don't even need to ring the dinner bell. They will show up on their own. Also, there would be no point in spraying, because Monarch butterfly caterpillars will come and eat all of the leaves off this host plant. It is fun to watch, and before you know it, the plant will grow back and spread its seed far and wide.



Our water features around the nursery are full of tadpoles. I mean in a few weeks we might think the plagues have started. There are hundreds of the little critters. They are helping keep algae away as well as entertaining passersby.




That leads me to Frank. Frank is 1/2 inches tall and looking for love. If any of you ladies out there are looking for a prince, word on the pond is that he's a great catch. He just asks that his match be an equally devoted fan of Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance".

Sharing At Hester & Zipperer

One of the best things about a stroll through the garden is the smell of fresh herbs. One brush through their leaves and you're instantly on a trip back in time. Are you visiting your grandmother's tomato gravy that had hints of basil and oregano? Maybe you're thinking about how lemon and mint combined in your Nanna's sweet tea.

If you're looking to bring herbs into your garden and your kitchen, then Hester & Zipperer on Skidaway Road can help. Saturday, March 21st, from eleven to two, Susan Reece will be offering live cooking demonstrations as well as complimentary samples of aromatic dishes that are inspired and infused with fresh herbs. Guests will also receive recipe cards so they can prepare their favorites at home.


Herbs are easy to grow and thrive when clipped for frequent use! Don't miss this chance to experience what they can do for you!

Seed, Sprout, and Swap

Many of you are saving money and having a whole lot of fun sprouting seeds. Our Wilmington Island store has heard your stories of too many sprouts of one particular plant. You didn't think you would be so good at this, right? Now you have thirty tomato sprouts and you'd really like some squash or cucumber instead.

Let's solve this problem with a sprout swap. The Wilmington Island Hester & Zipperer will leave room on its bulletin board for swap offers. They should look something like this:

Hi, my name is Gertie Greenbottom. I have 12 Better Boy tomato sprouts I'd like to swap. If you have ___________, _____________, or __________ to trade, please call me at ###-####. (If you're open to other sprouts than those mentioned above-say so.)

Make the paper with your phone number or email address on little tear-offs on the bottom. Give to the person at the counter of our Wilmington Island store, and we'll tack it up for you. If you're out of sprouts, let us know, and we'll take it down. (912-897-5581)

February's Happy Hours Sale At Hester & Zipperer

Who Doesn't Love A Good Mystery?
In Las Vegas there is a slot machine that won me over a few years back. It had the normal three spinning slots, but then an extra fourth held the possibility of landing on "mystery nudge". A voice sounding like Vincent Price would even say it like, "Miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisteeeeeeery Nuuuuuuuuuudge." Basically-it meant more money.

Hester & Zipperer on Wilmington Island is bringing you a mystery sale item every day during the month of February. From 3 until close one item in the store will be 30% off! It could be anything. Will it be those bushes you want for the back yard? Will it be those clippers that you've wanted?

Come in and find out for yourself and save.