Ann Tait Morgan, Spencer's daughter, manages the New Jesup store and remembers the days when feed came in weekly by train and her dad would unload the 100 lb. bags.
"The local ladies would line up during the unloading to ask for a particular feed sack they needed to finish a dress," she said.
"I see many of the same customers, their children and grandchildren, who shopped with my grandfather and my parents, as well as customers who remember coming in with their parents and grandparents," Ann said.
"My grandfather died when I was six, so I have gotten to know him from talking to our customers who remember him," she said.
"One day a gentleman came in looking for a tree spray that my father had sold to him years ago. He couldn't name it but he described it and we knew just what he was talking about," she said.
Tait's continues to sell feed to local cattle farmers, horse and pet owners, particularly those with hunting dogs.
"We also sell horse supplies, halters and lead ropes, as well as western wear, boots, shirts, belt buckles and jewelry."
Tait's has expanded into pet health including horse supplements, fly spray and treats for horses and glucosamine, vitamins, shampoos, and flea products for pets, and puppy shots.
Tait's still carries all the fungicides that Spencer sold and sod by the pallet, mostly St. Augustine and centipede. They carry grass seed for all the Bermudas including the hybrids and insecticides for grass both plain and weed and feed and garden tools.
They also sell cotton seed meal, which has been around forever Ann said, and is used as fertilizer. Organic gardeners can find organic fertilizers, soil conditioners, and insecticides.
Ann recommends that you don't fertilize your grass until it starts to green up on its own. "Wait until 50% of your grass is green," she said.
Bedding plants will start to come arrive in about two weeks, Ann said. But right now fruit trees are available and now is the time to fertilize fruit and pecan trees, she said.
Ann also recommends liming gardens now. Regular garden lime can take up to six months to adjust the soil's Ph level.
Vegetables available for planting include lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, strawberries, and herbs. Jessie is the one at Tait's to ask about gardening questions.
Dustin is very knowledgeable about pest control products. He used to work for a local pest control company.
Tim handles all the sod.
A relatively new addition to Tait's is landscaping rocks, granite, boulders and river rock.
While Tait Feed and Seed has grown with the times, it maintains that hometown feel.
Tait Feed and Seed is sponsoring the Islander's gardening column written by Dr. Don Gardner ANR Agent, UGA Cooperative Extension.
|
|
|