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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”.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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!

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Memorial Trees

Leif Knecht — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 18:20:30 +0000

On October 13th, we planted two Apollo Dwarf Sugar Maple trees on the north side of Way Park as memorial trees for three special Northfielders.

One tree honors the life and memory of Kristi Ann Rasmussen Knecht, a long-time Northfielder who died tragically on September 12, 2011, as a result of a bicycle accident. Kristi was a studio music teacher of rare ability who helped hundreds of students blossom as people and musicians of accomplishment. She will be greatly missed by friends, family and students who enjoyed her wit, warmth, intellect and musical talent.

The second tree honors Howard and Edna Hong, who called Northfield home for over seven decades. Together they helped a wider world benefit from the wisdom of the Danish Christian philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard, by spending much of their lives translating his works into English. This allowed the entire field of philosophy to be a richer and deeper area of great thought.

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Fun Alert — Opening on our Bowling Team!!

Leif Knecht — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 02:37:05 +0000

The Knecht’s Nurseries Men’s Bowling Team has an opening for an adult male to join us for lots of good fun on Thursday nights at Northfield’s Jesse James Lanes. This is a handicap league so on any given night, even beginning bowlers have a good chance in this friendly and wholesome competition. The bowling alley is smokefree, and brand new lanes were installed this past summer. It’s a refreshing atmosphere, becuase we often cheer on our competition which is almost as much fun as cheering on our own team members! If you haven’t bowled for a long time, you might be pleasnatly surprised.

If you’re interested, give Leif a call here at the nursery – 507-645-5015 and he’ll get you more details!

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Crazy Daze – Thursday July 28th

Deb Knecht — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 23:01:28 +0000

Crazy daze is less than a week away!

Take advantage of “Crazy Daze” Thursday July 28^th. Snap up some crazy deals on all kinds of plant material. Selected varieties of trees, shrubs and perennials will be discounted 20%, 30% or even 50% OFF! As you can imagine, the crazy weather this season has made us all a little crazy down here at the nursery, (Yeah, pull your hair out crazy.) so be sure you leave some time in your crazy schedule next Thursday to take advantage our temporary insanity and get yourself some crazy deals on plants! Gates open at 7:00 am for all you early birds and close at 6:00 pm. You’d be crazy to miss out on these savings!

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Container Garden Workshop

Deb Knecht — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 20:33:12 +0000

Sharon Boisselle, a wonderful addition to our retail sales team this year, will be teaching a course through Northfield Community Education on container gardening. There will be 3 different 1 1/2 hour sessions available and will be held here at the nursery. The dates to choose from are May 2nd, May 9th or May 16th. The class size is limited so early registration is recommended. Registration starts on Friday, April 22nd. Register directly with Northfield Community Education.

Annual Container Garden

The cost for the class is $8. An excerpt from the Community Ed class catalog - “Be the envy of your neighbors with an eye-catching container garden. Bring your own container to create a stunning container garden with assistance from certified nursery and landscape professional, Sharon Boisselle of Knecht’s Nurseries and Landscaping. You may bring your own supplies or materials will be available for purchase”.

Sharon has years of experience with annuals and container gardening and we know you will not be disappointed. If you have any questions on the class, you may contact Sharon here at the nursery and she will be glad to assist you in any way.

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Sponsor a Tree – Strengthen our Community

Leif Knecht — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:52:18 +0000

We would like to extend the opportunity for you, your child’s class, your service club, your church group, your softball/bowling team, your carpool, your neighbors…. to join us in sponsoring tree plantings for our city, to be planted in public spaces.

Knecht’s will provide trees at half price. As a sponsor of a tree for Northfield City parks, you pay the other half of the cost (see chart below). City staff will select planting sites. You get the satisfaction of knowing you’ve helped make us a stronger and more beautiful community, and can enjoy watching these trees grow more majestic with each passing year.

Your cost of sponsorship – choose the size/price for the tree(s) you wish to donate.

Tree Only Tree & Planting

#3 Container – 3′-6′ $20.00 $40.00

#7 Container – 5′-8′ 40.00 80.00

#15 Container – 8′-12′ 60.00 120.00

2 1/2″ B&B – 10′-16′ 150.00 300.00

City Staff will choose from the following tree varieties - Maple, Oak, Hackberry, Linden, Honeylocust, disease resistant Elm, Coffeetree, Birch, Tree Lilacs & Flowering Crabs. The City Staff will also choose planting sites on City Property / Parks.

To sponsor a tree, just contact Knecht’s Nurseries & Landscaping at 507-645-5015 or send us an e-mail at info@knechts.net. Or if you prefer, you can contact TJ Henricy, Streets & Parks Supervisor for the City of Northfield at 507-645-3032 or TJ.Heinricy@ci.northfield.mn.us

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