Winding Stair Gardens Warranty Policy
We want you to feel confident in every plant you bring home from Winding Stair Gardens. Our warranty policy is built on trust, transparency, and a genuine commitment to your success as a gardener — because a thriving garden is the best thing we can grow together.
Unless you have an account, all returns must be accompanied by a receipt.
Live plants: Credit will be returned to the original form of payment for returns up to 72 hours after purchase and store credit for returns up to 7 days after purchase (via loyalty account credit or gift card).
Hardgoods, gifts and other non-living items: Credit will be returned to the original form of payment for 10 days after purchase and for store credit up to 30 days after purchase, via a gift card.
Returns
How the guarantee works: To qualify for our plant guarantee, the plant must be examined via photos by a Winding Stair Gardens plant care specialist prior to being removed from the ground.
We back all non-seasonal, non-clearance sale plants with a six-month guarantee when plants are properly cared for by the purchaser, subject to the following:
- As soon as your plant exhibits signs of distress, send photos from different angles as well as a description of the issue to info@windingstairfarm.com. Or bring your photos in person to the retail center. If you’re a customer who gave us your email at the register, we can find your receipt in our system. If not, you must provide a receipt.
- If the issue is treatable, we will work with you to come up with a solution. If the plant is untreatable, we will replace the plant or offer store credit for the full purchase price. In some cases, we may request the return of the dead plant.
- Plants will be replaced once. There is no additional guarantee on the replacement plant. If your plant is not available at the time of replacement, you will receive store credit in the amount of the original price paid or you may choose a different plant for the replacement.
Want to Extend Your Warranty?
Extend our standard 6-month warranty to 12 months by purchasing, along with your plants, our Success Kit!
Our Success Kit consists of one or more bags of Daddy Pete’s soils and one bag of Espoma Plant-Tone (preferred) or another appropriate Espoma plant food, and Bigfoot Mycorrhizae.
These must be purchased with the plant.
We do not guarantee the following:
- Annuals, Herbs & Veggies.
- Plants installed in containers above ground.
- Plants that have been left unplanted in nursery pots.
- Plants damaged by events beyond our control such as freezes, storms, insects and animals.
- Sale and clearance items.
- Consignment and locally made items.
- Food items.
Bigfoot Mycorrhizae
Why do we recommend this?
Organic and Beneficial. Reduces transplant-shock and establishes healthy roots for your plants.
See packet for detailed usage instructions.
How much do I use?
• 1/2 teaspoon per gallon sized plant
• Eg. for a 5 gallon plant, use 2 1/2 tsp of Mycorrhizae, directly on roots
• 1 packet will amend approx. 28 gallons of soil
Appropriate Espoma-Tone
Why do we recommend this?
A range of excellent organic fertilizers. Provide long-lasting, slow-release feeding.
How much do I use?
• 1 cup per gallon of amended soil
• Eg. for a 2 gallon plant, mix 2 cups of Plant Tone into amended soil
• 1 bag (4lb) will feed 12 gallons soil
Plant-Tone: The original all-purpose plant food.
Holly-Tone: Plant food for all acid-loving plants.
Evergreen-Tone: For pine, fir, spruce & other evergreens.
Daddy Pete’s Amendments
Why do we recommend this?
A wide range of soil amendments: we can help you choose the right one for your planting conditions.
How much do I use?
• Ask us! Each bag contains enough for multiple plants.
Lawn & Garden
All-purpose general soil. Fill bare spots on lawn. Building mounds.
Planting Mix
Amending clay soil. Improving drainage.
Mushroom Compost
Fortifies soil. Contains beneficial organic matter.
Plant Care Instructions:
If you have any questions about soil amendment, hole-size, plant location in your garden or other variables, please consult with a member of our team before you begin.
If you are not planting your tree or shrub immediately, water it daily until planting time. Ensure the plant is kept in its recommended growing conditions (e.g., full shade, part sun, etc.) You can compare the location of the plant at our nursery for a good rule of thumb.
Once your tree or shrub has been planted, water it deeply twice per week until established. It could take up to a full year for your new plant to develop a good root system. It is important that you do not let your plant get too dry during this time.
Water Properly:
When the soil gets dry, water thoroughly until the entire planting area is moist. Try to avoid water getting on the plant foliage and concentrate water on the ground around the plant base. It is best to use a slow stream with a hose to make sure the water soaks into the root zone.
Different plants require different amounts of water during different seasons so please ask one of our team if you have specific questions about your plant. It is important to learn the characteristics of your soil and how frequently to water.
Fertilize:
The best times to feed your plants are late winter and early spring. The plant may be dormant above ground, but the winter months are the busiest months for root development. The food taken in by the plant during this time ensures it has enough energy to sustain growth during Spring and Summer. Please ask one of our team for advice on which product is best for your plants.