This is the time of year when wild creatures are at the absolute end of their energy reserves. Even though the weatherman is predicting warmer weather and receding snowbanks, new growth and new food sources are 3-6 weeks from being available for wild animals. By planting trees and shrubs that produce various kinds of berries, nuts [...]
Snowbanks are receding, the sun is growing stronger day by day, sap is flowing in the Sugar Maple trees, the male wild turkeys are fanning their tail feathers to show off for the hens. The natural world is waking up from a very long winter of dormancy, a sure sign that it’s time for Landscape [...]
Snow Dance Japanese Tree Lilac Flowering trees have long held a great attraction. Most flower in the spring when we are desperately craving color and lush blossoms, but unfortunately most who produce fruit or seeds that eventually drop on gardens, walks, lawns and driveways, creating a mess of varying degrees. Bailey Nurseriesin St. Paul has [...]
As the heavy snowpack begins to disappear with some of the first warm days we’ve had since late December, it’s time to allow your imagination to dream of green grass, fragrant flowers and a more beautiful and functional landscape. If part or all of the landscape around your home is uninspired, overgrown or poorly arranged, [...]
Today, the groundhog came out at Knecht’s Nurseries and Landscaping, and got just plain scared. Looked up at the snowpiles that have grown to 8-10 feet high, turned pale and went straight back into it’s burrow. Thought I overheard some muttering about spring, and something else about 6 weeks, but I can’t be sure since [...]
The unrelenting winter of 2010-2011 has many of us suffering from cabin fever. Here are a few ideas for garden lovers to break out of the winter doldrums by doing something: Protect a tree. Younger trees may be vulnerable to bark damage from mice, rabbits, deer and sunscald. Unusually deep snow means rabbits and mice [...]
Wondering what caused small tunnels in some of the snow banks on your property? Have you been frustrated about your lawn being torn up when the snow banks melt in the spring? Are mice getting altogether too friendly and paying you visits INSIDE your home? In all likelihood all three of these events have the [...]
Jim Westlund and Todd Marnie In recent days, the Northfield area landscape has had a wintery look, but we are still planting trees and a few hardy customers still venture in to get trees for late season projects of their own. The 2010 growing season had very favorable weather, despite the unfortunate flooding in late [...]
Last year some of the best weather of the season for planting came in November. Mild temperatures, October rains that softened the soil, and dry working conditions during November made for many successful late season projects. This year looks like similar late season planting opportunities are available. We still have an excellent selection of most [...]
The intense windstorm of October 26th and 27th comes on the heels of some of the mildest October weather we have ever experienced. This has extended the length of the fall color season, and opportunities to get out and see the succession of reds, yellows, oranges, and burgundy that delights our eyes and soothes the [...]
October and November are traditionally the months when people stock up on firewood. For your safety, and to enjoy beautiful fires that burn nicely instead of smoldering and smoking, be sure to buy firewood that has been well dried. An awful lot of firewood that is sold has been drying for only the summer, or [...]
The amazingly mild October days and nights have been a joy for anyone working or playing outdoors this fall. If there is any downside at all to this fine weather, it has been the muted fall colors I have noticed the past ten days or so. The best conditions for excellent fall color is a period [...]
Trees that have been recently planted (sometime within the last fives years or so) – are much safer in the late fall – winter and early spring with a white tree wrap protecting the bark from sun damage, rodents, rabbits and deer. All young trees should be wrapped going into winter, however, it is very [...]
After record rainfall and flooding in late September that provided plenty of moisture for area trees to be fully active just prior to going dormant, fall colors have been very intense on the varieties that traditionally put on an autumn show. The exceptionally dry and warmer than normal weather since the historic flood has also [...]
In addition to the hundreds of Minnesota grown trees and shrubs that produce fabulous fall color – all of our plant materials are on sale now at 30% to 50% off through the second weekend in November, 2010. You’ll find some of the well known fall color show stoppers on sale such as Autumn Blaze Maple, [...]
