Knecht's » Deb Knecht

Part-time Position

Deb Knecht — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:43:37 +0000

Irrigation System Operator/Technician. Experience not needed. Perfect for the retired/semi-retired person. Work 12-20 hours per week April thru October in the mornings. Must be able to do a lot of walking, bending and stooping to activate valves and make corrections/replacements and/or repairs to the system on poorly functioning irrigation spray stakes and lines. Closely observing plants to determine how much to irrigate and where to make the upgrades. We will train the person hired. This is a fairly light duty work position requiring the ability to be detail oriented and consistent.

New Zone Hardiness Map – USDA Update – 2012

Deb Knecht — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:18:13 +0000

: From the USDA – Minnesota

The USDA released it’s new Hardiness Zone Map. Minnesota now can claim a portion of the State being a Zone 5! (a small part – but a part nonetheless). A big change is the portion of Zone 4a which now extends further north. Mary Schier, editor of the Northern Gardener magazine, has a blogpost on this subject - ‘Big Changes for Minnesota in New Hardiness Zone Map.’

Despite these changes, caution is advised if you don’t want to run the risk of losing plant materials that may be marginally zone hardy. On the other hand, it can be an awful lot of fun to experiment with marginal plants that can sometimes be a nice surprise on hardiness and a visual delight. We’re happy to visit with you about this subject concerning plants you might consider that are “on the edge”.

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’™

Deb Knecht — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:02:09 +0000

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’™The 2012 Perennial Plant of the Year! May we introduce you to The Perennial Plant Associations’ selection for “Perennial Plant of the Year”, Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ PP13859 CPBR1799! Well, that’s what it officially goes by, but we like to make things a bit more personal here at Knecht’s. Let’s call him ‘Jack Frost’.

‘Jack Frost’ is a classic woodland perennial with better heat tolerance than other Brunnera varieties. It is known for its love of shade as well as its’ dramatic foliage. Silver leaves with dark green veining produce a “crackle-like finish”. The stunning foliage becomes a backdrop for a cloud of Wedgwood blue, Forget-me-not-like flowers from mid to late spring. A breathtaking effect! The flower stems are great for cutting and make lovely spring bouquets. Allowing you to bring a bit of your garden indoors.

Brunnera will grow best in full shade or early morning sun and will be most vigorous in rich soil. ‘Jack Frost’ will tolerate heavier soils provided they are amended with compost or other organic material. Brunnera has a classic appeal that makes it a wonderful addition to almost any shady site, including shaded rock gardens. The silvery leaves are capable of brightening a dark corner and pulling light into dreary, shaded areas of the landscape. Jack Frost has a slow, spreading growth habit that makes it an excellent choice for shady groundcover.

Early Morning Sun to Full Shade

12-15” Tall x 12-15” Wide

Deer Resistant

Zone 3-8

Companion Plants: Pulmonaria – Lungwort, Astilbe, Tiarella – Foamflower, Heuchera – Coral Bells, Dicentra – Bleeding Heart, Ferns, Bergenia – Pig Squeak, Lamium – Dead Nettle, Hosta

This article was submitted by Heidi Brosseau, our Retail Manager. Visit our Perennial Plant List on our Plant Page to see a listing of all of the perennials we’ll have available in 2012.

Jobs Available for 2012

Deb Knecht — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:24:23 +0000

In 5 short weeks – we start up our greenhouses and hit the ground running. Next week, we have two full-time people coming back already! We are beginning our hiring process for the upcoming season. The following are the jobs available at the current time:

Retail Sales Asst. Manager – Fulltime Previous sales expereience and knowledge of plant material IS REQUIRED!

Nursery Production Asst. Manager – Fulltime Previous horticulture experience is required

Watering – Parttime Work hours would be mornings – 3-4 hours per shift. Watering container plants and plant maintenance

All positions are outdoor positions. Must possess the ability to tolerate all weather conditions. Must be able to safely lift up to 60 pounds. All positions will require weekend hours. Weekends are rotated. Wages are commensurate with experience.

Job applications can be picked up here at the nursery. Week of January 23rd – Mon – Fri. – 9 am to Noon. Week of January 28th and after – Mon – Fri. 8 am to 4 pm. Job interviews will be scheduled starting the week of January 28th.

Jim Westlund, Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional

Deb Knecht — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:29:12 +0000

: Jim Westlund

Congratulations to our Landscape Division Manager, Jim Westlund, who recently was awarded his certification as a Minnesota Certified Landscape Professional. A great depth of knowledge and real world hands on landscaping experience is necessary to pass the daunting test that has earned Jim the Landscape Professional designation.

Jim Westlund’s elevation to the top tier of his profession as a Minnesota Certified Landscape Professional is a natural outgrowth of his incredible work ethic, natural smarts, leadership skills and attention to detail in every aspect of landscape installations for our customers.

The certified designation is achieved with cooperation through the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association. “The objective of the MNLA Certified Professional program is to uphold, improve, and promote standards of professionalism and excellence within the industry. By focusing on individuals rather than companies, the program encourages self-improvement among industry professionals.”

Jim is the fifth person at Knecht’s Nurseries and Landscaping to earn certification as a nursery and landscape professional. He joins owners Leif and Deb Knecht, retail manager, Heidi Brosseau, and Landscape Designer, Amy Voight among the recognized leaders in the industry. Very few nursery and landscape businesses our size have this many certified professionals available to help serve their customers!

Shaping the Future

Deb Knecht — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:06:14 +0000

Leif Knecht participated in a workshop on January 19th & 20th to help chart the future of the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association. Eighteen selected industry professionals from all parts of the state worked intensively with the staff of MNLA to zero in on the best ways to continually improve the knowledge, offerings, tools, resorurces, networking and professionalism we all need to offer our customers the very best goods and services.

It was a dynamic and energizxing opportunity to do our part to help assure that Knecht’s Nurseries & Landscaping will always b e at the leading edge of the world of beautiful plants, and how best to use them in the landscape to create inviting and enjoyable outdoor spaces. When the growing s eason starts and you make your first trip of the year to our nursery, you will begin to see how we are growing and changing to help you grow and change your landscape into an evermore beautiful place.

Rice County Master Gardeners

Deb Knecht — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:32:00 +0000

Leif Knecht, owner of Knecht’s Nurseries, will be the featured speaker at the monthly meeting of the Rice County Master Gardeners. on Tuesday, January 17, 2012. The meeting is at 7 pm at the 4-H Building on the Rice County Fairgrounds.

Topics covered will be what’s new in trees, shrubs and perennials and how nurseries are using a new technique to produce better plants for landscape use. Attention will focus on plant materials that are a little to a lot more compact so they can be used in smaller spaces such as the Crimson Spire Oak and the Apollo Sugar Maple.

If you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener, contact the Rice County Master Gardeners or the University of Minnesota Extension Service.

‘Karl Foerster’ Feather Reed Grass

Deb Knecht — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:08:12 +0000

: ‘Karl Foerster’ Feather Reed Grass

Now that winter is here – finally – we can think in terms of winter. Now is the time to look around at your garden, at gardens of others, in parks, around commercial buildings – anywhere you see plants that catch your eye. We need to plant in the growing season with winter in mind.

Ornamental grasses have become one of my favorite perennials since they offer so much – for such a long time. You cut these down in the late winter – early spring depending on the weather – and they then start their new growing season. After 6-8 weeks – you will again see your ornamental grass and you will be enjoying it for 10 months! Amazing for perennials in Minnesota!

‘Karl Foerster’ – officially known as Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ is a stunning example of ornamental grasses. This grass will reach a height of approximately 5′ once the blooms come out in mid-summer. The spread is only about 2 feet in diameter. The blooms are a soft beige tone and once opened up – will be almost white and feathery. We have found this grass to have excellent standability after snows here in Minnesota, bouncing back to continue to delight the gardener.

They make excellent background plants with shorter perennials in the foreground and also can provide a natural fence of sorts. Tolerating partial shade – reed grasses tend to flop and bloom less if not in full sun. This variety of ornamental grass will adapt to moister soil conditions but do best planted in well drained soil conditions. Karl Foerster was named the perennial of the year in 2001 by the Perennial Plant Association. To be selected as perennial of the year, a plant has to demonstrate the ability to grow in a wide variety of situations, multi-steason interest, availability and more!

This picture was taken in our meadow last winter. You can see the beauty of the grass against the snow, and beyond is our collection of dogwood and flame willow with their red to orange stems giving the winter landscape a pop of color! We’ll have ‘Karl Foerster’ available come spring! Start making your wish list now!

Visit our Perennial Plant List on our Plant Page to see a listing of all of the perennials we’ll have available this year!

Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Assn. Convention

Deb Knecht — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:31:51 +0000

: Belinda Jensen and Bobby Jensen

: Senator Al Franken

We attended the annual Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association Convention last week held at the Minneapolis Convention Center. There is a trade show where we visit the booths of the industry vendors on plants, machines, technology and more, and there are many, many educational seminars which we all attend and are able to bring back new and exciting ideas for our business. We were fortunate to have 9 of our staff attend this year’s convention – which were Leif & Deb Knecht, Heidi Brossueau, Jim Westlund, Amy Voight, Luis Olave, Ben Danielson, Connie Rew and Kathy Lewis.

This year, Senator Al Franken addressed the group right ahead of the keynote speaker’s message. It was an unexpected treat to be able to see and listen to the Senator for a few moments.

Bobby Jensen and Belinda Jensen from KARE-11′s Grow with KARE spent time at the Bailey Nurseries booth. With the weather being unbelieveable this winter and the enthusiasm of all of the people at the Convention, we are all definitely excited for spring!

We do have limited office hours in January – however – we do return phone calls and e-mails everyday so if you have a question on anything – please do not hesitate to contact us!

December Hours

Deb Knecht — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:49:40 +0000

Our December office hours are Monday through Thursday – 9 am to 1 pm. We do answer phone messages and e-mails 7 days a week – so if you’re in need of firewood or gift certificates – we’ll get back to you right away! Gift Certificates can be mailed out (to you or to the recipient) anytime or we can arranage a time for them to be picked up if the office hours don’t work for you!

We’ll be closed from December 23rd through January 1st. We’ll be back in the office on January 2nd!!