Author Archives: Delores

African Violets 101

In beautiful shades of purple, pink and white, the continuous blooms of African violets will add bursts of color to your windowsill for years to come.

Many gardeners shy away from these little indoor tropical plants, but we’re here to tell you there is no need. With a bit of guidance and proper care, you can easily add them to your collection of houseplants.

As with any other plants, African violets need all of the necessary elements to stay healthy; light, water, soil, food, and air.

Here is a basic list of what these cheerful indoor plants need to stay healthy:

LIGHT: Adequate light is the most critical factor in promoting flowering. Place plants near any window that has bright, but filtered, light. An east window is best because it gets morning sun. A thin curtain will be necessary if placing plants in a south or west window. In order to develop a nice symmetrical form, plants must be turned 1/4 turn every week.
WATER: More violets die from over-watering than from any other single cause. Violet soil should be kept evenly moist and never allowed to become soggy. Water only when the top of the soil is dry to the touch. Always use tepid water. You can water from the top or bottom, use wicks, or use self-watering However, about once a month, plants should be watered from the top to flush out accumulated fertilizer salts. Never allow plants to stand in water and if water gets on the leaves, dry with a paper towel to prevent leaf spotting.
SOIL: A potting medium suitable for African violets should be sterilized, and light and airy to allow root penetration. Soil-less mixes are ideal – they contain sphagnum peat, vermiculite, and We recommend Espoma Organic African Violet Premium Potting Mix.
FOOD: Lack of regular feeding is one of the reasons an African violet will not bloom. The best way to feed is to use a dilute fertilizer solution every time you water. Use 1/8 to 1/4 tsp. of fertilizer to one gallon of water. A balanced fertilizer should be used, such as Bonide Liquid African Violet Plant Food 7-10-7. It is best to use a fertilizer with a low nitrogen urea content as urea burns the roots.
AIR: Temperature and humidity are important factors. Most violets can tolerate temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees. Ideal temperatures are 72-75 degrees day-time and 65 degrees night-time. The preferred humidity range is 40% to 60%. A humidifier or bowls of water placed near plants can be used to increase your home’s humidity during the heating season.

For continued care, African violets should be repotted once a year. They tend to like tight pots, so use a new pot that is only slightly larger than the old one. Remove one-third of the old soil and replace it with new and make sure the crown of the plant is just above the soil line and water thoroughly.

If taken care of, your new African violet will reward you with beautiful blooms all year long.

———————————————–

Here at Wingard’s Market, we specialize in providing outstanding customer service, offer professional gardening advice, and answers to your everyday gardening questions. Stop by and visit our Beautiful Gift Shoppe and Fresh Produce Market while you stroll under century-old pecan trees. It’s truly a Garden Wonderland!

Located at 1403 North Lake Drive in Lexington, SC. Call us at (803) 359-9091

The Scoop on Bird Feeders

Bird feeders offer the best way to turn your own backyard into a mini oasis for the wild birds in your area. They’re usually filled with a variety of seeds to suit the different species of our feathered friends. The most popular types of seed include millet, safflower, sunflower, and thistle.

Apart from satisfying the hunger of birds, bird feeders also provide an excellent treat for your feathered friends. To everyone’s surprise, some birds you would never think of can be witnessed in our very own backyards. Bird feeders come in different varieties and design depending upon the species of bird they cater to. The most common types are hopper feeder, seed tube feeder, hummingbird feeder, suet feeder, and oriole feeders.

Seed feeders are very popular; they come either with tubes or hoppers. Mainly these feeders are laden with sunflower seeds to attract birds like chickadees, nuthatches, and finches.
A suet feeder comprises of a cage-like structure made of metal, coated with plastic. It is this plastic that contains a cake or suet. Suet is mainly a bird feed including animal fat, which prevents the feed from turning rancid and protects it from the adverse effects of moisture. Also, they could be hung from windows or any tree tops thus giving us a clear view of the birds in action. These bird feeders attract woodpeckers the best.
Unlike the seed feeders, Hummingbird feeders offer the feed in a liquid form. This usually consists of sugary syrup solution that is particularly preferred by hummingbirds. To attract the bird, the solution is painted in bright color. But care should be taken while choosing the coloring material, for often birds fall ill to harmful coloring agents.
Oriole feeders are orange in color. They too supply a liquid form of nourishment. They primarily cater to birds having a uniquely pointed beak and tongue. Apart from the quality of the feed provided in a feeder, the success of this feeder largely depends on its location and when its placed out of reach of intruders like squirrels and cats.

In spite of providing us hours of bird watching entertainment, feeders still do have their own negative impacts on the bird community. If the feeders are not kept clean, they can spread disease among birds as they come in contact with one another.

We encourage you to stop by Wings & Things and check out all the different varieties of bird feeders we carry. There’s no way better to enjoy your backyard then inviting an array of beautiful birds to dinner.

———————————————–

Located at 1403 North Lake Drive in Lexington, SC. Call us at (803) 359-9091

Why are my leaves turning yellow?

Whether you garden indoors or out, a successful gardener needs to learn how to read plants.

It’s important for us to be able to understand the language of a plant and they make it easy for us to know when they’re feeling a bit under the weather. Both houseplants and landscape plants will show signs of yellowing leaves when they need some extra TLC (tender loving care.)

Even when their outward signs show us they need some attention, sometimes figuring out what they need is a mystery. There are a number of reasons a plant’s leaves will turn yellow. Among the reasons are overwatering, underwatering, stress caused by temperature changes, soil conditions, lack of proper nutrients, pests, disease, the age of the plant, pot-bound roots and transplant shock. Out of all of those contributing factors, overwatering or underwatering is usually the main culprit.

Here are the top 7 reasons for yellowing leaves:

Overwatering – Too much water is just as harmful as too little. Soil that doesn’t drain well will drown the roots. Without oxygen, the roots will die, and the leaves will turn yellow and fall off. Wait until the plant’s soil begins to dry, then water sufficiently and wait until the soil starts to dry out again before watering. Make sure your container has adequate drainage holes and water less frequently. When repotting an overwatered plant check its roots. Black roots indicate decomposition and a certain death sentence if not taken care of, while white roots are an indication of a healthy plant. When repotting a plant with black roots, trim back all the dark areas leaving only healthy white roots to recover. If there’s a green crusty appearance to the soil surface, this is algae, and it too is an additional symptom of overwatering.
Underwatering – If plants do not receive enough water they will drop their leaves to prevent dying. Often times it’s the way the plant is being watered that’s the problem. To encourage the roots to grow deep in the soil, water your plants less, but water them thoroughly to be sure the roots are getting plenty or moisture. Make sure you’re watering your plants properly: wait until the soil begins to dry, then water it fully, and wait until the soil starts to dry out before watering again.
Lack of Light – To determine if your yellow leaves are caused by a lack of light check the lower leaves first. If the lower leaves appear to be more faded than yellow, it could be a sign of a light deficiency. Plants need proper light for photosynthesis to occur. Be sure to rotate your pots periodically, so all foliage is exposed to sunlight. If the yellowing begins on the side away from your light source, it might be caused by too little light reaching these back leaves. Research your plants specific light requirements to be satisfied you are providing it what it needs to thrive. Some plants like indirect light, while others require full sun. Plants with too little light will often become leggy as they try to reach toward the light.
Temperature – Typically seen more in landscape plants than houseplants, a significant temperature change can leave the tips of your plants looking burned. Most often this occurs in the spring when tender new leaves are affected by a late freeze. If this happens, trim off the burned areas, and allow for new growth. With houseplants, most prefer particular temperature ranges. Some like it cool, around 50-60 F while others prefer in warm around 70-80 F. Some plants will drop their leaves when moved to a new location that has a significant temperature change. Tropical plants do not like colder temperatures, so keep them away from air-conditioner vents.
Pests – If the yellow spots on your leaves appear along with tiny critters (be sure to check the undersides of the leaves), then you have an insect problem. First, identify the pest and then treat for that particular insect. Typical bug infestations on plants are caused by one of the following: mites, aphids, mealybugs, thrips, scale, or whiteflies. Repeatedly washing the plants or applying an insecticidal or horticultural soap is one treatment that is often effective as well as environmentally safe.
Nutrient Deficiencies – If the top leaves of your plant are yellowing, or there is an unusual pattern of yellowing (i.e. the veins remain dark while the tissue between them turns yellow), it’s most likely a nutrient deficiency.
- Iron deficiency – This causes yellowing, stunted growth and interveinal chlorosis. You will see it normally in new growth first. Test your soil and maintain a pH below 7.
- Potassium deficiency – The leaves, especially older leaves, may have brown spots, yellow edges, yellow veins or brown veins. Add a potassium fertilizer containing potash.
- Nitrogen deficiency – This causes stunted growth and yellow edges on the tips of the leaves. The veins may be yellow, and sometimes the whole leaf will be pale yellow. Add used coffee grounds to the soil to increase its nitrogen, or apply a balanced fertilizer.
- Magnesium deficiency – This causes yellowing of the leaves between the veins with the veins remaining green and usually appears on lower leaves first. Treat the plant’s soil with Epsom
- Calcium deficiency – This will cause crinkled, mottled or distorted leaves and will not allow the tips of the leaves to grow. Add agricultural lime to the soil.

Plant photos by organicagardensupply.com

Old Age – Often a plant has just outlived its natural plant life, succumbing to yellowing leaves and aging-out.

Please note that whatever the cause of your plant’s illness, remember it may take weeks or even months for a plant to recover and return to normal growth.

———————————————–

Located at 1403 North Lake Drive in Lexington, SC. Call us at (803) 359-9091

Embrace the Shade in your SC Garden

Shade Gardening Made Easy

Unless you’ve lived in the Midlands in July and August there’s no way to describe “hot” other than blistering, all day, bake in the sun heat! As South Carolinians, we’re always on the lookout for a lush, shady hideaway in our gardens. Here at Wingard’s Market, we want to help you make your shade garden the ideal spot to retreat from the hot summer sun.

For many gardener’s shade can be a challenge and while some plants do well in low light, there are many plants to choose from that thrive in shady conditions. The key is to figure out which plants will adapt well to the light level of your landscape.

Over time your gardens will change. Trees and shrubs will mature, water condition and air circulation will change, and hardscape elements will be added. The first factor before choosing your arsenal of shade loving plants it to figure out what degree of shade your garden will have. From there you can go about choosing your favorite shade loving plants.

Classify your level of shade:

Morning Shade, Afternoon Sun – This is NOT considered shade! If this is the only shade you have in your garden, stop reading. Nothing here applies to you.
Morning Sun, Afternoon Shade – An area in your garden that the sun is blocked for much of the day, mainly between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 m. Typically found in established gardens where mature trees block out the sun all but for a very short period of time early or late in the day. North facing exposure can generally be classified as partial shade.
Filtered Sun – The sun makes its way through tree limbs for most of the day providing “dappled” light on the ground. The plants that grow in this environment are basically the same as the ones that grow in Morning Sun/Afternoon Shade.
Full Shade – An area that is under shade all day with little or no direct sunlight. Typically found in thick tree canopies or in dense trees. Other areas may be under stairways, decks or covered patios positioned on the north side of your home.
- There are some plants, in our experience, which really do best in full shade. Cast Iron, Edgeworthia, Hosta, Ferns, Aucuba, and Fatsia. Other shade plants will be fine in full shade, but those listed here actually NEED it.

For a complete list of shade loving annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees click here.

Be aware that your light patterns will change with the change of seasons. Sections of your garden may be in full sun in the winter and in full shade in the summer. The amount of shade an area gets in the summer is most important in choosing your plants. Shade plants will generally tolerate full sun in the winter. Keep a watchful eye on your garden throughout the year as trees, and shrubs mature and your landscape changes.

As you plan your shade garden keep these few factors in mind:

Shaded areas usually lack adequate moisture as the rain is blocked by a canopy of trees, and tree roots absorb most of the water. Shade gardens need regular watering even during rainy periods. For shrubs and trees, a drip system is recommended.
The more sun a shade plant gets, the more water it needs.
In South Carolina, warm climate shade plants can grow actively all year round so they must be fed a complete fertilizer in early spring and summer.
To keep your garden growing for many years, remove low-hanging branches from trees that tend to keep your gardens hidden from view and prevent adequate air flow.
If the lack of water is an issue, turn to raised beds or pottery to keep tree roots from stealing all the
Most shade plants want some sun (morning or filtered). Flowering plants, especially, need some sun in order to produce flowers.

While summer is now upon us, turn to your shade loving areas to escape the scorching summer sun and enjoy the lush green plants that thrive in our area. Once you’ve discovered all the shade loving beautiful annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs suitable for shade gardening you may never want to fight the sun again.

Stop in and see us and take advantage of the native shade-loving plants we currently have in stock:

Trees: Dogwood, Redbud
Shrubs: Anise, Coastal Native Azalea, Carolina Allspice, Oakleaf & Annabelle Hydrangeas, Leucothoe
Ferns: Cinnamon, Christmas, Ostrich
Perennials: Cranesbill Geranium, Heuchera, Columbine

———————————————–

Located at 1403 North Lake Drive in Lexington, SC. Call us at (803) 359-9091

Invite Native Plants to Your Garden

Gardening in the Midlands can be a challenge at times.

We deal with scorching heat, sandy soil, drought-like conditions and do we need to say more about the no-see-ums? However, we have one of the longest growing seasons in the country and have an array of beautiful native plants that flourish in our southern conditions. If you struggle with finding plants that thrive in your garden we encourage you to bring the beauty of native plants to your backyard. Not only will you be adding season-long color, but you’ll be adding wildlife-friendly plants that are perfect for our soil and climate.

What is a native plant?

Simply stated native plants are those that grew here when Columbus discovered America. They are plants that evolved over time and tend to be hardy and well-adapted to the environment in which they thrive.

Plants that grow naturally will require less water and fertilizer than non-native plants. They are more resistant to insects and disease and are less likely to need pesticides. This is particularly useful for new gardeners since they often require little attention.

Why go native?

As our woodlands and wildlife areas are being converted to commercial and residential growth, we’re losing our native plants. As backyard gardeners, it is our responsibility to preserve our natural plants for future generations.

You can help to restore the availability of native plants by adding a few to your landscape. In this way, we can all make a difference and help save endangered species one yard at a time.

Not only do native plants produce beautiful flowers, but they also produce fruits, seeds, and nectar that are friendly to wildlife.

Going native benefits:

They couldn’t be easier – Native plants require little attention if planted in an area that best matches their natural habitat. They’re hardy and will adapt well to normal weather extremes. They need less water, little fertilizer, no pesticides and less time to maintain than regular garden plants.
They’ll invite wildlife to your backyard – Research shows that wildlife common to your area will prefer native plants over non-native varieties. They provide food and shelter for birds, bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other beneficial insects. These native insects and birds will also help keep your yard free of mosquitoes, and other plant-eating bugs.
They add a natural beauty to your landscape – While adding native plants to your landscape may never replace the beauty of plants growing in the wild, they can help us blend surrounding development into a more natural setting.

Choosing the right plants

When shopping for native plants, please be aware that most big box stores will not carry plants that are native to the local area. Generally, local nurseries and garden centers (like ours) will stock plants that thrive in their climate.

Before heading to the Garden Center know the answers to these few question:

Where will you be planting, in the sun or shade?
Is the area wet or dry?
What type of soil does your landscape have? Clay or sand?
Where in your garden will you be placing them to determine the correct height?

Once you know the answer to these questions, you’re ready to think about specific plants.

Plan to plant a variety of trees, shrubs, perennials, and vines to give wildlife an array of food and shelter choices. Choose plants that you can group together to attract nectar-loving birds and insects, as well as host plants for butterfly larvae.

Creating a native plant garden in your backyard will add natural color and beauty, as well as provide an inviting habitat for native wildlife. You will find you enjoy your yard so much more when you can watch colorful butterflies flit from plant to plant, listen to birds chirping away in the trees, and appreciate the work of bees as they cross pollinate flowers and vegetables. Establishing native plants in your landscape is a way to preserve these experiences for future generations, one yard at a time.

For a complete list of the native plants, that an be found at Wingard’s Market, please visit Native Plants to South Carolina.

———————————————–

Located at 1403 North Lake Drive in Lexington, SC. Call us at (803) 359-9091

Become a Winter Bird Watcher

Nothing is more beautiful than looking out your window to see the bright red of a cardinal or the lovely colors of a blue jay perched on a bare winter branch. Bird watching in the winter is an amazing experience, and even the chatter of a chickadee can bring a smile to even the grayest winter day.

While most folks enjoy cold days snuggled up warm and dry in their homes, winter is the ideal time to venture outside to bird watch. The bare trees make it easier to observe birds in their natural habitat, making winter the best time to sharpen your bird identification skills.

Here are a few tips to make your backyard winter bird watching a success.

Bird feeders, unfrozen bird baths, and suet feeders are all ideal for attracting birds to your yard.
Provide food and water every day. Once birds realize your yard is a consistent feeding stop they will keep coming back.
- Stop by Wings & Things located inside the Produce Market at Wingard’s Market for a complete line Cole’s Birdseed and Suet, perfect for winter feeding.
Position your bird feeders in a sheltered corner of your yard that is protected from winter winds.
Plant native trees where they can be seen from your windows.
Leave stocks of wildflowers on throughout the winter such as dried flower heads of asters, coneflowers and other native plants for birds to feast on when other food is scarce.
Wildflower stalks also provide places birds can seek refuge from storms and predators.
Invest in a pair of binoculars so you can get up close to the birds that visit your backyard.

If you’re a new bird watcher, winter is the ideal time to begin. Your yard is quiet this time of the year, and it’s easier to chart and log what you see before the onslaught of migrating birds starts showing up. Make it an enjoyable winter pastime that involves the whole family. Make a chart and leave it on a clipboard by your favorite viewing window.

Here is what you’ll want to record:

Name of the bird. (If you are not sure what it is, leave a bird field guide close by for identification)
- Stop by Wings & Things located inside the Produce Market at Wingard’s Market and pick up the bird field guide “Birds of the Carolinas.”
Date observed
Time of day
Place in the yard you saw it. Birdfeeder, brush, tree, birdbath
Activity (eating, nesting, drinking, etc.)

By keeping good notes of what you see you may uncover a pattern as to when you see the most birds in your yard. You’ll learn the behavior of the birds that call your backyard home, and over time you’ll find out how to keep them coming back year after year.

In our South Carolina yards, you can expect to see one or all of the following species. How many can you log from your own backyard?

If you want to enjoy bird watching even more, here are a few Apps and Bird Watches you may want to check into.

Winter Bird Watches

Project Feeder Watch at Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Great Backyard Bird Coun t
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology runs citizen scientist programs called eBird and NestWatch that let people report the species of birds that you see in your yard.

Smartphone Birding Apps

———————————————–

Located at 1403 North Lake Drive in Lexington, SC. Call us at (803) 359-9091

Attracting Purple Martins to Your Yard

Please note: Wingard’s Market will not be hosting any Purple Martin tours for the 2019 Season.

Central South Carolina and especially Lake Murray is known to be a favorite nesting spot for the beautiful and graceful Purple Martin.

Preferring to have a water source nearby (swimming pools, ponds, lakes) they are not your typical backyard bird. Members of the Swallow family, Purple Martins historically nested in cliffs and hollow trees, but today they thrive in man-made nesting structures. Typically social birds, they love to nest in colonies and will very likely return to the same nesting site year after year.

Purple Martins flock to Lake Murray

Understanding the Purple Martin’s particular needs is the key to attracting and enjoying these beauties in your yard.

Where most of your favorite backyard birds will visit your bird feeder, Purple Martins feed mainly on flying insects, which they catch in flight. Even grabbing a drink of water is different from your standard backyard bird. They will fly over open water and skim the surface to dip their bills in for a drink, instead of perching to sip like most birds. If you want to encourage them to your bird feeding areas, you can offer bits of crushed eggshells.

As with attracting any bird to your backyard, if you provide their basic needs for survival (food, water, shelter and nesting sites), you can invite them in.

Food – Purple Martins almost never visit bird feeders. They will skim over open grassy areas feeding on flying insects. As a bird landlord, you will want to avoid using insecticides in and around your yard that would kill off their main diet source.
Water – If your home is near a natural water source you already have a good chance they will find your yard home-worthy.
Shelter – Purple Martins are aerial birds and prefer open areas, as opposed to tall trees and bushes. They are agile fliers and will soar and dive around open spaces looking for food. Keep brush and vines cleared away from the base of their nesting boxes. They will avoid any areas that also attract ground predators, such as cats, raccoons, snakes and squirrels. Provide perching spots such as wires, clotheslines or antennas, far away from bird predators.
Nesting Sites – These birds are cavity-nesting birds and prefer old woodpecker holes, specialized gourds, and bird houses that are perched high off the ground in open spaces. The perfect spot for nesting is about 60 feet from your house and 40 feet from any large trees. The standard rule to constructing a Purple Martin house is there should be no trees taller than their houses within 40 feet. If you remember one thing it should be this: trees and Purple Martins do not go together. They construct their nests with dried pine needles, dry twigs, straw, leaves, grass, and feathers. Offer a stash of these favorite nesting materials in an unused suet feeder where they can get to it easily.

This is just a quick guide to attracting Purple Martins to your yard, but we have so much more to share with you stop into Wings & Things inside the Produce Market for more information.

———————————————–

Located at 1403 North Lake Drive in Lexington, SC. Call us at (803) 359-9091

Tuck Your Garden in for a Winter Nap

You’ve spent a better part of the last few months reaping what your garden has sowed. It’s served you well, and it’s earned some time off. Before you say goodnight until spring here are a few end of the season tips to help your garden take a long deserved rest.

Nothing makes gardening chores harder than having to do maintenance and cleanup in freezing temperatures, so find the time now before the cold freezing winds and rains come.

Use this as your chore checklist:

Gather herbs and flowers for drying.
Collect and dry seeds to save for next year.
Plant spring flowering bulbs. Our climate is not suitable for tulips. Crocus, daffodils, and hyacinths do much better.
Plant trees and shrubs! It is still a good time to plant.
After the first hard frost, pull up and discard This also includes the tomatoes and squash plants in your vegetable garden.
After the first hard frost, cut back your perennials and mulch them with a heavy layer of leaves or straw. Do not cut back dead stems of lantana until after new growth emerges in the Spring.
Pull weeds.
Till the soil around any exposed areas and add a layer of compost, leaves or manure and lime.
Cover strawberry beds with straw.
Remove all dead or diseased canes from your rose bushes.
After the first frost, mulch your rose bushes with compost or leaves.
Give evergreen shrubs a light pruning only if absolutely necessary. It’s better not to prune until early spring, just before new growth begins to flush.
After perennials have quit blooming, divide all crowded
Remove any broken limbs from your trees by making a clean cut close to the trunk.
Mow your grass as late in the season as the grass grows.
Keep up with fallen leaves and don’t let them over winter on your lawn. Mulch them with your lawn mower and add them to your perennial and bulb
Bring your “house plants” indoors, before the temperatures start falling below 40 degrees at night. Be sure to spray for insects before bringing them into the house. Even if you don’t see signs of insects, there are probably insect eggs on plants that have been living outdoors, and they will infest your house pretty soon.
Now is the time to do a soil test. Your test results will come with recommendations for amendments, which should be applied as soon as possible. Some amendments take a few months to start working and will need to be applied before you plant in the Spring.
And don’t forget the birds. They will be counting on you this winter. Now is the time to clean out your bird feeders and bird baths and stock up on birdseed. Keep water in your birdbaths unless temperatures are expected to drop below freezing.

By taking extra time this Fall to properly put your garden to bed, you’ll be sure to have gardening success next spring. And as always time flies and before you know it we’ll start emailing you about Spring annuals and Mother’s Day roses, and you will find yourself with Spring fever all over again!

———————————————–

Located at 1403 North Lake Drive in Lexington, SC. Call us at (803) 359-9091

Create a Wildlife Friendly Backyard

Providing a suitable habitat for the wildlife in your backyard starts with you. Many of us don’t realize that the things we do contribute to the elimination of the natural habitat for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife in our backyards.

The Foundational Four
In order to create a wildlife habitat in your backyard, there are 4 things that every habitat needs and those are Food, Water, Cover, and Space to Raise Young.

There are things you can do that can provide adequate habitat for wildlife. Creating garden spaces that include native plants, water sources, nesting boxes and other features will add value to your yard and give wildlife a safe place to live and grow.

Feeders, Boxes, Plants & Pets
There is surprisingly a lot more to bringing birds to your backyard feeder that you’d think.

Invite wildlife to your backyard:

Planting more trees and shrubs is a major factor in attracting wildlife to your backyard.
Provide at least two places for wildlife to mate and raise their young. Mature trees, wetlands, shrubs, and wildflower patches are good choices.
Animals need a safe place to drink and bathe, add a garden pond or birdbath away from cats and other household pets.
Nesting boxes and bird houses are a great way of making up for the impact urban development has on natural nesting habitat.
Build a brush pile with yard debris to provide shelter for wildlife.
Add bird feeders near trees so birds can fly to cover and provide adequate food through the winter when natural foods are scarce.
Provide food for wildlife by planting native vegetation that supplies wildlife with nuts, berries, nectar and seeds throughout the seasons. Plant native plants suited for your growing conditions.
Studies show that year-round supplemental feeding at birdfeeders actually enhances the health and longevity of bird populations.
Eliminate the use of pesticides. Caterpillars, bugs, bees, and butterflies are the most harmed by pesticide use.
Domestic cats are a leading cause of songbird deaths. Keep them inside and away from your backyard wildlife areas.
Invite your neighbors to join you in creating friendly environments. Several joining yards designed to attract wildlife would be more effective than one single backyard.

What’s in your backyard?
Birds – Mammals – Snakes – Lizards – Turtles – Frogs & Salamanders – Pollinators & Insects

Make creating a wildlife sanctuary a family affair. Discuss how you are helping design areas that will give wildlife a natural place to thrive and grow. Plan new gardens with a specific wildlife in mind. Create a butterfly garden, plant flowers that bees use to produce honey, add nest boxes and bird houses to save the birds, and add water features and habitat for small mammals to enjoy.

Learn how you can “Certify Your Garden” to show your commitment to wildlife!

Do you have questions about Backyard Birding or Wildlife?

Zach Steinhauser, our resident Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Specialist would love to help. Check out of Ask Zach page for answers or submit a question by emailing zach@wingardsmarket.com.

———————————————–

Located at 1403 North Lake Drive in Lexington, SC. Call us at (803) 359-9091

Drying Herbs for Winter Use

You’ve been tending to your herbs all summer long, and you’ve been enjoying their fresh flavor in all your summertime dishes. Now it’s time to start planning for winter by drying them to enjoy even longer.

Here are a few harvesting tips to get you started:

Herbs that are harvested when their oils are at their peak will have the best flavor when dried.
Herbs grown for their foliage should be harvested just before they flower.
Harvest herbs that are grown for seeds as the seed pods change color from green to brown to gray, but before they open.
Collect herb flowers, such as chamomile, just before full flower.
Harvest herb roots, such as chicory and ginseng in the fall after the foliage fades.

To get the best flavor from dried herbs, it’s important to pick the leaves for drying at the correct point in the growing season.

When to harvest:

Harvest early in the morning, after the dew dries, but before the heat of the day.
Lavender, parsley, and tarragon: Harvest in June and July, just before flowering. Cut back the plants to half their height to encourage a second flowering in the fall.
Mint: Harvest in June and July.
Thyme, summer savory, and sweet marjoram: Harvest in July and August.
Basil and sage: Harvest in August and September.
Harvest early and frequently to encourage plants to produce new growth.
Chives, basil, mint, parsley, and oregano grow back quickly and benefit from the constant pruning.

“Tender herbs in the mint family – basil, tarragon, lemon balm, and the mints have a high moisture content and will mold quickly if not dried quickly, says Clemson Cooperative Extension Service.”

Preparing your herbs for drying:

If the herbs are clean, do not wet them. Otherwise, rinse dust and dirt from the foliage, shake off the excess water, and spread the herbs out to dry on paper towels or dishcloths until all surface moisture has evaporated. Remove any dead or damaged foliage.

Hang small bunches of them upside down in a dry, cool, place such as a closet. If you are worried about them dropping leaves, suspend each bunch inside a paper bag ventilated with tears or punched holes. Close the top with a rubber band and place where the air currents will circulate through the bag.

Once the herbs are dry, their flavor is best preserved by keeping them in an airtight tin cans or tightly sealed jars. Dried herbs should be used within a year.

For a list of over 30 herbs to add to your garden, check out our publication “Basic Guidelines for Growing Herbs.“

———————————————–

Located at 1403 North Lake Drive in Lexington, SC. Call us at (803) 359-9091

The Taste of Summer

We are so fortunate to live in South Carolina where we have an abundance of fresh produce at our fingertips all season long. If you are like us, we like to eat and we love to cook with summer produce! Our Produce Market is bursting with an array of fresh produce supplied by our local farmers.

Simple is always better when using fresh fruits and vegetables, let the quality of the season’s finest shine through. Simple seasonings and light dressings are all that is ever needed to enhance the flavor of fresh produce.

Summer doesn’t officially end until the middle of September so we still have plenty of time to enjoy what is in season now.

We love them all, but here are a few of our favorites:

Blueberries

By far blueberries are the most popular of all the summer fruit. The tiny pop-in-your-mouth fruit is a favorite of children. Filled with antioxidants they are one treat that is a healthy option to sugar-filled treats. Store your berries in a single layer, and do not wash until you are ready to use them.

In our house, our kids always loved them frozen as an afternoon snack during our hot South Carolina summers.

Corn

The best batch of sweet corn is one that is purchased as soon as it’s picked. As corn ages the sugars turn to starch which lessens its sweetness. To pick the best ears look for deep brown silk tips where the silk is still pliable and not entirely dried up. Open the tip end and make sure the kernels are plump and milky when pinched.

One of our favorite ways to enjoy sweet corn is grilled. Peel back the corn husks and remove the silk. Spread ears with one tablespoon butter, sprinkle with sea salt and fresh cracked pepper and then close the husks back up. Wrap each ear of corn in foil and place on the grill and cook for about 30 minutes or until the corn is tender.

Figs

If you have a fig tree in your yard you know the figs are ripe when you hear the tree buzz from the bees that are feeding on it! But if you don’t, our Produce Market has freshly picked figs for you…without the bees! Figs spoil quickly, so use them up fast. Their delicate fragrant taste is the perfect complement to desserts, baked goods and a great addition to savory foods like meat and cheese.

We love adding fresh figs to salads and sliced on crackers with ricotta cheese and honey.

Peaches

Row after row of peach orchards in the Midlands supply us with the freshest peaches found in the country. When buying peaches look for fruit that is firm to touch without brown spots or wrinkling. To tell if they are ripe don’t be afraid to smell them. Sun ripened peaches will smell as good as you expect them to taste. To keep them freshest longest don’t wash them until you are ready to eat them.

The best way to eat a fresh peach is outside where you can let the sweet juice drip down your arm.

Tomatoes

We are big advocates for the sweet taste of Heirloom tomatoes…no other tomato compares to the flavor these funny looking tomatoes give. The unusual shape and size should not deter you from trying them. Tomatoes that have been vine ripened have the best flavor and are the best way to describe summer!

There’s no other way to eat a fresh tomato than with a little sea salt, fresh cracked pepper, fresh basil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Yum!

Zucchini

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy summer squash! Zucchini is the most popular, but the crookneck, yellow and pattypans are just as delicious. When at its freshest you can roast, grill, steam, fry or bake them. When buying look for small squash that is bright green or yellow and free of spots and bruises. Stay away from the larger squash that will be bitter and lack flavor.

We have a sweet tooth here at Wingard’s, so our favorite way to enjoy zucchini is when it’s made into zucchini bread, warm out of the oven, smothered with butter!

Stop by the Produce Market and see the array of local produce brought in daily by our preferred local farmers!

———————————————–
Here at Wingard’s Market we specialize in providing outstanding customer service, offer professional gardening advice, and answers to your every day gardening questions. Stop by and visit our beautiful Gift Shoppe, Fresh Produce Market, and take a stroll under century-old pecan trees through our Garden Wonderland!

Located at 1403 North Lake Drive in Lexington, SC. Call us at (803) 359-9091

The Sting…The Burn…Those Pesky Fire Ants!!

If you live in the South, you are sure to have had a run-in with annoying fire ants. If you’ve ever stepped on an ant hill, you know it only takes one sting to remind you to watch where you’re walking and always wear shoes!.

Here in the Midlands, our sandy soil makes prime real estate for ants. Their mounds can reach up to 50 to 200 mounds per acre if not adequately controlled. During warmer months, the ants will swarm to reproduce and create new colonies continuously.

Have you ever wondered why you can’t get a handle on controlling fire ants and why they always come back?

Here’s the answer:

Winged male and female fire ants fly high into the air and mate. Wind currents can carry the airborne ants several miles.
Even if you kill every mound in your yard, newly mated queens are steadily dropping out of the sky to start new colonies.
Even if you don’t see any mounds, new ones are continually being built and will soon be large enough to be seen above ground.

Is it a lost cause? Should we just learn how to cohabitate with the ants? – No

There is a method for getting rid of fire ants once and for all! The most efficient way to control fire ants are to hit them with a one-two punch method.

Use granular fire ant baits (Fertilome Come & Get It) as the foundation of your fire ant control program.When used correctly, baits will give around 80 to 90 percent control, leaving a lot fewer mounds to spot treat than if you rely on mound treatments alone. Granular fire ant baits contain slow-acting insecticides or insect growth regulators that disrupt development of the immature fire ants. The key to using baits successfully is to spread them over the entire yard, rather than sprinkling them on top of individual mounds. Application rates are low, only around 1-1.5 pounds per acre, which is only a fraction of an ounce per 1,000 square feet. Worker ants will collect the granules, carry them back to the mound, and feed them to the immature ants. Baits should be applied three times per year: spring, summer, and fall.
Rain will wash the bait away. Make sure to check the forecast and spread the bait when it will be sure to have a few days exposure. Also, fire ants generally feed late afternoon or evening which makes a perfect time to spread bait.
Keep a can of one of the dry fire ant mound treatment products (Bayer Fire Ant Killer) on hand to spot-treat mounds that survive the bait treatments.Dry mound treatments are applied directly to the mound; just sprinkle the specified amount evenly over the top of the mound and walk away. It will take a couple of days to a week for the mound to die out. For mounds that need to be controlled immediately use a liquid drench. Dilute in water as indicated on the label and pour the drench over the mound. Liquid drenches kill quickly but are more messy and time-consuming than dry mound treatments. The key to success with drenches is to use enough liquid to thoroughly soak the mound, about 1-2 gallons.

If you stay diligent about controlling ants with a One-Two Punch method, you can start to enjoy your lawn again!

Author Archives: Delores

African Violets 101

In beautiful shades of purple, pink and white, the continuous blooms of African violets will add bursts of color to your windowsill for years to come.

Here is a basic list of what these cheerful indoor plants need to stay healthy:

The Scoop on Bird Feeders

Why are my leaves turning yellow?

Whether you garden indoors or out, a successful gardener needs to learn how to read plants.

Here are the top 7 reasons for yellowing leaves:

Embrace the Shade in your SC Garden

Shade Gardening Made Easy

Classify your level of shade:

As you plan your shade garden keep these few factors in mind:

Stop in and see us and take advantage of the native shade-loving plants we currently have in stock:

Invite Native Plants to Your Garden

Gardening in the Midlands can be a challenge at times.

What is a native plant?

Why go native?

Going native benefits:

Choosing the right plants

Become a Winter Bird Watcher

Attracting Purple Martins to Your Yard

Please note: Wingard’s Market will not be hosting any Purple Martin tours for the 2019 Season.

Central South Carolina and especially Lake Murray is known to be a favorite nesting spot for the beautiful and graceful Purple Martin.

Purple Martins flock to Lake Murray

Tuck Your Garden in for a Winter Nap

Create a Wildlife Friendly Backyard

Learn how you can “Certify Your Garden” to show your commitment to wildlife!

Do you have questions about Backyard Birding or Wildlife?

Drying Herbs for Winter Use

“Tender herbs in the mint family – basil, tarragon, lemon balm, and the mints have a high moisture content and will mold quickly if not dried quickly, says Clemson Cooperative Extension Service.”

The Taste of Summer

The Sting…The Burn…Those Pesky Fire Ants!!

Rewards Club Membership

Wingard’s Market