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, [...]
The recent historic flooding in southern Minnesota and the Northfield area obviously caused plenty of problems and dislocation. That’s the bad news and the cleanup continues. But there is good news on the fall planting front. Sub-soil moisture conditions prior to the flood were fairly dry and we now have ample sub-soil moisture and very [...]
People often wonder if it is too late to plant once fall has arrived. For most plant varieties, fall is an excellent time to add to your landscape. Cool conditions make watering easier, and plants are ready to go the following spring when the growing season starts. Root prune well, water just enough, but not [...]
The fabulous Firefall Maple is finally available, and offers homeowners and professionals alike a great new option for placement in the landscape of a fast growing, well structured maple of moderate width that shows eye popping reddish fall color. Firefall Maple becomes ever more handsome as it matures, sporting a distinctive cutleaf foliage, [...]
While improved growing, packaging and planting techniques now enable us to be successfully planting from April through November, many people think of fall as an excellent time for planting a wide variety of landscape plants, and with good reason. There are a number of things that make fall planting appealing. Temperatures are cooler, so working [...]
‘Fox Valley’ Dwarf River Birch – Betula Nigra – Over the years many people have admired the beautiful cinnamon color peeling bark of the River Birch. Handsome as both a single stem, or clump, this Minnesota native has been a staple of beautiful landscapes. One difficulty with normal River Birch has been that they are [...]
Have you noticed here and there the beautiful white (and pink) blossoms on small (4′-9′ tall) trees over the last 5-6 weeks? You have probably been admiring the lovely mid to late summer blossoms of the hardy hydrangea trees. The whole paniculata family of hydrangeas are exceptionally cold hardy, and are useful in the landscapes [...]
Dakota Pinnacle Birch is beginning to make a statement in landscapes across the Upper Midwest. Slender and upright in it’s form, and very uniform in growth habit, Dakota Pinnacle Birch is extremely hardy, thriving in climate zones 3 to 7 and tolerant of many soil types including those with alkaline pH. Growing quickly to a [...]
Early summer is an excellent time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials to make your landscape beautiful. Approximately 130 days remain in the growing season and this provides a long period of time for establishment of new root systems that will power vigorous growth for years to come. The keys to success are: Good quality [...]
Air pruning nursery pots produce trees and shrubs with better root systems. Here at Knecht’s Nurseries and Landscaping we have been using air pruning pots for several years to avoid producing trees that are root bound. This simple technology of having dozens of air pruning openings built into the design of a molded plastic nursery [...]
Much warmer than normal March and April weather has many of us eager to be in the garden, and get some annual flowers and vegetables planted. It should be safe to plant cool season annuals such as pansies, snapdragons, dusty miller, dianthus, alyssum and petunias as well as veggies such as cabbage, potatoes, spinach, radishes, [...]
We normally think of beautiful spring flowers as crocus, tulips, daffodils, flowering crabs, magnolias, plums, cherries and redbuds. One of my spring favorites is often overlooked. Red Maple trees (Acer rubrum) quietly put on a wonderful show of beautiful red flowers each spring, long before their leaves emerge. Preferring mildly to strongly acidic soil, Red [...]
Spring tree harvest is under way at the nursery. This means that if you have been thinking about moving some trees or shrubs around your property, the next 15 or 20 days will be your best opportunity of the year for most varieties. If you are able to move plants before they leaf out, the [...]
This is a great time to cut firewood. With the early snow melt, and cooler or slightly below freezing nights, it may be possible to get to some of those dead trees you’ve had your eye one. Even if you can’t drive right to the trees due to soggy ground conditions, you can carry in [...]
