Category Archives: Community

Garden Tilling

May 2, 2013 – 12:49 pm

If you are interested in having someone rototill your garden(s) this spring, we have a friend who has a lawn and garden tractor with a 42″ wide power tiller whom you can hire to work up your planting area.   His name is Rudy Maurer, he lives here in Northfield and will welcome calls / inquiries at 507-380-8396.  You can hire Rudy directly since this is his own side business and not a service provided by Knecht’s Nurseries & Landscaping.  Rudy roto-tills some of our personal garden areas and does a great job!  We have known him for many years and we feel confident in referring him your business.

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By Deb Knecht | Tagged | Comments (0)

Northfield Home and Garden Business Showcase

March 21, 2013 – 3:28 pm

Snowman

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 6th to attend this year’s Home and Garden Business Showcase to be held at the Northfield Arena, 1280 Bollenbacher Drive, Northfield.   From 9 am 3 pm you will be able to visit over 50 booths  featuring Northfield area businesses – from home construction & maintenance, finance, landscaping, gardening and more!  Knecht’s Nurseries & Landscaping is proud to be a Showcase Sponsor this year!

The day will also include several different speakers on a variety of subjects of interest for the home and garden.  Leif Knecht will be speaking at 10 am on “Sensational Spring Flowering Trees for Minnesota”.

There will be door prizes and drawings for giveaways all during the day from the various vendors!  At our booth, we will be having coupons available for $25 off on landscape design plans and you will have a chance to win a free landscape site visit from our deisgner, Amy Voight. 

The Northfield Home and Garden Business Showcase is a great way to beat the winter blahs and to officially welcome Spring this year!

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By Deb Knecht | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Tree Researcher Visits Knecht’s

September 10, 2012 – 8:55 am

Last week, nationally recognized tree researcher, Gary Johnson, from the University of Minnesota came to Knecht’s Nurseries for the second time this summer to purchase trees.   Gary is well known as an expert in why trees fail in urban landscapes, and what makes other trees healthy and long lived.

Gary Johnson’s research shows that poor root structure causes a very large percentage of tree failures, and is frequently asked to educate horticultural industry professionals on the best practice to use to assure good, healthy trees in our landscape.  Here at Knecht’s we are on the leading edge of the industry, using specially  constructed air root pruning pots to produce container trees that have root systems that are well formed and will have long and healthy lives once planted.

To educate landscape architects, designers, landscapers, property managers and master gardeners, Gary obtains air root pruned trees from us to show attendees at confereences how well formed a tree root system can be when properly grown in air pruning containers with the best techniques.  We are pleased and proud to be able to offer these same excellent container trees to our retail and landscaping customers.

Stop in today, and we’d be happyto show you just how Knecht’s Nurseries produces container trees with the very best root systems.  These trees will establish and grow more quickly than trees produced in conventional pots.

Discover the Knecht difference.  Knecht’s Nurseries – Where Plants and People Meet!

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By Leif Knecht | Tagged , , , , | Comments (2)

Crazy Daze – BOGO Sale

July 25, 2012 – 6:18 pm

The countdown to Crazy Daze 2012 is underway.  We will open the gate at 7:00 am sharp!   A listing of all plant varieties is available at checkout.

Our BOGO sale plants are marked with an orange flag.  Only plants with an orange flag are on the BOGO sale.   The free plant must be of lesser or equal value and does not apply to plant material that is already on sale.  Mix and matching is allowed as long as it is within the same category.  2 trees – 2 shrubs – 2 perennials.  You cannot buy a tree and get a free perennial.   There will be no discounts on one if you don’t want two.

There are over 20 varieties of shrubs on the BOGO, 30 varieties of trees and 21 varieties of perennials.  This is just the BOGO sale plants.  There are hundreds of other plants that are on discount sale – off 20%, off 30%, 40% or 50%!   The bargains will abound tomorrow on Crazy Daze!

Don’t forget to cast your ballot for our craziest sales person!  They have the option of being “crazy” for Crazy Daze and the top vote getter will be awarded the “Golden Trowel!”

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By Deb Knecht | Also posted in Events | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Crazy Days – July 26, 2012

July 18, 2012 – 8:42 am

Heidi Brosseau – our retail manager, provides this post on what she is planning for her retail staff next week!

Knecht’s Crazy Day Sales Team Member Contest!

Customers, Facebook Friends, Pinners and Tweeters… We need your votes!   (Remember to “Like” us on Facebook!)

Thursday July 26th is “Crazy Day” here in Northfield and this year we have invited our sales staff to get a little CRAZY in honor of it!  Not sure exactly what will happen (the official parameters have been kept sort of vague) but it sure sounds like it could get interesting!  We will get pictures posted early in the day and maybe send out a few updates as the day goes on.  The winner of the Crazy Day Sales Team Member Contest will receive the coveted Knecht’s Nurseries & Landscaping Golden Trowel award as well as bragging rights for the remainder of the season!  The Golden Trowel will be awarded to the Sales Team Member who receives the most votes from our customers, Facebook Friends, Pinners and Tweeters  on Crazy\Day, Thursday July 26th.  Be sure to stop in for some CRAZY great deals on plants with a little CRAZY fun on the side and place your vote!

 

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By Deb Knecht | Tagged | Comments (0)

Northfield Garden Club Summer Garden Tour

July 12, 2012 – 3:17 pm

“Flowers and Fine Art” is the theme for the 2012 Northfield Garden Club’s Summer Garden Tour which is scheduled for this weekend – July 14th and 15th.   The hours on Saturday are 10 to 4 and on Sunday – 11 to 4.

There are six home gardens on the tour plus the gardens at the Northfield Retirement Community!    Three gardens are in the city limits of Northfield, one just south of town and two are located in the Keya Peha subdivision just west of I35.  The Northfield Retirement Community is just north of St. Olaf College here in Northfield! 

Tickets for the tour are available here at Knecht’s Nurseries & Landscaping and are $10 each.  The ticket is actually the map you will need to find these gardens.  The tour will give you ideas for shade gardens – sunny area gardens – whimsy – creativity – and serenity.    To combine art with the garden, each of the 6 gardens will have a resident artist who will showcase their work.   

The weather will be warm this weekend – but don’t let that stop you from enjoying some of the finer gardens in the Northfield area.

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By Deb Knecht | Also posted in Events | Comments (0)

Honoring Lloyd Harkness

June 21, 2012 – 1:54 pm

A few days ago, our landscape installation crew planted a Crimson Spire Oak in the NE part of Way Park here in Northfield in honor of Lloyd Harkness.  For over 52 years, Lloyd has lived next door to Way Park and has been an incredibly good neighbor to everyone who has lived near Way Park, and has been a steward of the park the entire time.

From his kitchen window, Lloyd Harkness can look out at the tree, and watch over it and nurture its development just as he watched over countless numbers of children playing in the park, and helped make sure they were safe, and helped them when they needed an assist or guidance.

Lloyd does things for people out of the goodness of his heart whenever he sees the need.  There is no better example of how we can best live out the values of generosity, hardwork and love for others than the way Lloyd Harkness has lived his life and given to his community.

Deb and I are privileged to provide this Crimson Spire Oak to honor Lloyd.  We aspire to follow in your footsteps, Lloyd!

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By Leif Knecht | Comments (2)

Thank you from Tree Trust of Minneapolis

June 8, 2012 – 7:02 am

This week,  Sue Gethin from the Tree Trust in Minneapolis paid us a visit to personally say ‘Thank You’ for all of the trees we donated to the Tornado Relief effort in North Minneapolis.  These residents lost most or all of their trees during the May 2011 tornado and we donated 150 potted trees to help the cause.  Taylor Truck Line of Northfield provided the truck / driver to transport these trees to Minneapolis.  Sue shared the photo to the left which depicts one of the creative ways these residents got their trees home.

We’d like to thank all of our customers who continue to make our business thrive – which affords us the opportunity to give back to our community and extended communities.

The following is a comment that we rec’d on our Facebook page from one of the residents of North Minneapolis.     “Thanks for your donation to the north side families hit by the tornado last year. Your generosity means a lot and our neighborhoods are already looking better because of you!”

 

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By Deb Knecht | Tagged | Comments (1)

Tree Donation for Tornado Victims

May 12, 2012 – 8:43 am

On Friday, May 11th, Knecht’s Nurseries & Landscaping was able to partner with Taylor Truck Line of Northfield to donate over 140 trees to residents of north Minneapolis who lost so much in the devastating tornado last year.  The Tree Trust and the City of Minneapolis received the trees donated by Knecht’s Nurseries, and will facilitate the distribution to families who lost most or all of their trees on May 22, 2011.

Rob Taylor, of Taylor Truck Line in Waterford Township graciously agreed to donate the cost of shipping the trees from our Northfield nursery to Minneapolis.  The Tree Trust is providing assistance and training on planting and care techniques that will help assure successful establishment and the eventual return of cooling shade and beauty to a community in need.

At Knecht’s Nurseries we are pleased to have this opportunity to continue our long standing tradition of giving something back to the larger community of Minnesotans who support our nursery.  It’s always a good thing to help neighbors in need, and we consider oruselves fortunate indeed to have gained so very many friends who support us and travel with us as we explore the wonderful world of beautiful plants.

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By Deb Knecht | Tagged , , , | Comments (2)

The Greening of Northfield

April 26, 2012 – 2:46 pm

Last year, the Northfield Garden Club’s President – Mrs. EdDee Imm, helped the City secure a MnDOT grant for $10,000 to be used to  beautify the City.  It was determined that one of the areas that needed “help” the most was along the Hwy 3 corridor from the Cannon River to Jefferson Parkway.

EdDee approached us regarding the trees.  The City of Northfield and the Northfield Garden Club, in a cooperative effort,  purchased the 64 trees from us and we donated all of the labor and other materials used to plant the trees.  Each year we give back to the City of Northfield with  donations and this year, it is the Hwy 3 beautification project.  This donation amounted to $4,000 in labor, equipment costs and materials. 

The Garden Club also has received funds to be used to cover the costs of watering these trees for two years which is a committment under the grant.  We will be working with the Garden Club on keeping these trees well watered for the next two years!

Our crew – Jim Westlund, Todd Marnie & Ben Danielson planted these trees which consisted of Elms, Maple, Hackberry, Birch, Crabapples and Oak trees.  Once again we are very pleased to have the opportunity to give something back to the community that supports our business each and every year.

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By Deb Knecht | Also posted in Trees | Tagged , | Comments (1)

What’s Your Favorite Garden Center?

April 19, 2012 – 11:08 am

The Northfield Patch website is conducting a survey on what’s your favorite garden center in the Northfield area.   We would appreciate your vote!

At Knecht’s you will find our extremely large selection of plant material – over 1000 varieties of trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals allows a customer to find almost anything they desire.   Just this spring, we have had folks from Omaha, Nebraska and Chicago purchase trees that we have in stock that they have not been able to find in their local markets.   Our plant material was protected from the freezing temperatures earlier this month and is looking great!   Thanks goes to our great crew for all of their extreme efforts!

Our retail staff includes 5 Certified Nursery and Landscape Professionals, a graduate of the Landscape Architecture Program at UW-Madison, and a current student from the  Dakota County Vo-Tech – Horticulture Program.   Another very important reason we are able to offer excellent products and service to our customers is the great attention to detail and effort supplied by our other employees working in retail sales, nursery production, and landscape design and installation.

Heidi Brosseau – our retail manager – who is on her 10th season at Knecht’s Nurseries, is excited this year to bring our annual plant offerings to the next level.  We are exclusively offering locally grown annuals.  All of our annuals including the bedding plants, Proven Winners, hanging baskets and specialty annuals are produced within a 50 mile radius of Northfield.   The 4-pak bedding plants are produced in extra-large cells which produce a better root system!

A reminder that our 4th Annual Kid’s Planting Day will be held next Saturday, April 28th, from 10 am to 11:30 am here at the nursery.  We encourage you to register your child(ren) ahead of time so we are sure to have enough supplies on hand.

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By Deb Knecht | Comments (2)

An Extraordinary Spring demands Extraordinary Measures

April 18, 2012 – 10:30 am

The mild winter and extremely early start to the 2012 growing season has been both very enjoyable and extremely challenging at Knecht’s Nurseries.  A very warm February and early March forced us to uncover protected plant materials almost a month early.  More abnormally warm weather throughout March got most trees and shrubs to break dormancy and begin growing – something which has not happened in recent record keeping memory.

During recent cold waves, all our staff members have had to really work hard to bring trees and shrubs with tender new growth into every nook and cranny of our greenhouses, or group, tip and cover plants once again.  The happy result of all this activity is that we have lots of beautiful trees, shrubs and perennials in great condition.  The downside is that we are on our third round of uncovering, organizing, recovering, uncovering, etc.  We are grateful for the extraordinary efforts of our employees.  They are the ones who make it possible for us to provide you with excellent landscape plants and knowledgeable customer service.   We also want to thank our customers who bear with us when we are still organizing – re-organizing, etc.

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By Leif Knecht | Also posted in Employees | Comments (0)

Popcorn Blossoms

April 2, 2012 – 11:12 am
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At the Northfield Home and Garden Business Showcase held at the Northfield Arena this past weekend, a local garden club member made these creative and fun branches with “popcorn” blossoms. What a fun idea for spring decorating! I asked her where she got the idea and she told me that her mother used to make them when she was young. After the Business Showcase they were given to a local retirement center to decorate around the outside of their chapel. The birds are going to love them! She just splotches on a little food coloring with a paint brush to give the popcorn the appearance of a blossom and then glues them onto bare branches. They can be pretty convincing as I saw more than one person smelling them to see if they were real:)
 
It won’t be long and we will have the real thing in full bloom here at the nursery. The buds are already starting to swell.   This blog was submitted by Heidi Brosseau – our retail manager.
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By Deb Knecht | Also posted in How To Advice | Tagged | Comments (1)

Northfield Home & Garden Business Showcase

March 27, 2012 – 12:35 pm

This Saturday – March 31st , 2012,  the Northfield Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Home & Garden Business Showcase at the Northfield Arena, 1280 Bollenbacher Drive (Hwy 3 South) in Northfield.  The show runs from 9 am to 3 pm.  There will be over 40 exhibitor booths to visit. 

This year’s speaker is Don Engebretson – The Renegade Gardener!    He’ll be presenting 3 different seminars during the day on gardening, cool plants and landscape design.

Stop at our booth – we are booth #1 – and visit with Leif, Heidi and Amy.  We’ll be handing out  a special Home Show coupon.  Our Knecht’s Bonus Bucks are back for another season and what better way to kick off our promotion by giving out a Bonus Buck to folks who stop by our booth this Saturday!

We’ll be open at the Garden Center also this weekend!  Saturday we’ll be here from 8 am to 4:30 pm and on Sunday – 10 am to 4 pm.  Starting next week – April 2nd – we’ll be open our regular hours!

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By Deb Knecht | Also posted in Events | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Part-time Position

February 6, 2012 – 4:43 pm

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.

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By Deb Knecht | Also posted in Employees | Comments (0)