Knecht’s

We are very excited about the number of residents and businesses here in Northfield who are participating in the America in Bloom program.  We have a healthy supply of the designated colors in annuals and we have many planters planted with the designated annuals as well for those who would just like to buy a pre-planted container!  Leif’s article in the Northfield News this week shares his thoughts on America in Bloom

The Northfield Garden Club is working hard to encourage Northfield area residents, businesses and institutions to beautify town and build a greater sense of community by getting involved in the America in Bloom program.   It’s easy and enjoyable and costs little more than what you would spend anyway on annual flowers for your gardens and planters.

Participation in the Northfield America in Bloom project is as simple as choosing annual flowers that follow the 2008 suggested color theme of combining pink, chartreuse and burgundy/violet.  As these theme colors appear all over town, we will be individually and collectively participating in the building/re-building of community spirit, and beautifying homes, businesses and public spaces. (more…)

Everyone wants to get into the yard and garden now with at least a hint of warmer weather…. Leif’s article from the Northfield News last Saturday highlights the different sequences for success in the garden………

A long winter and a scattering of nice days in April have most gardening enthusiasts eager to till and plant. The sequence of what you plant first and what you delay until later may determine the difference between success and disappointment.

April and the first half of May is a great time to plant cool season varieties of annuals, as well as trees and shrubs. Pansies, petunias, snap dragons, dianthus and alyssum are good choices for early season flowers. Cabbage, broccoli, kohlrabi, potatoes, radishes, lettuce and spinach are fairly safe early season vegetables that should prosper in cooler soil temperatures. (more…)

At the nursery this time of year, the question most asked is “Can I plant right now?”.  The April 12th article in the Northfield News shares Leif’s thoughts….. 

As winter ever so slowly transitions to spring, many people think about planting trees.  Spring has been a traditional tree planting time, and remains an excellent period for installing the trees that will make your property more beautiful with each passing year.

 The biggest advantage of planting at the beginning of the season is that your new trees will have an entire growing season to grow new roots and become established for more vigorous growth in subsequent years.  You can’t get strong growth without first growing a large network of new roots, and each additional week the tree has during the season to grow new roots means the tree is better prepared for the next year and the year after.

 Another advantage of early season planting is the dormant condition of the trees, and the cool temperatures.  Dormant trees can wake up slowly once they have been planted which reduces stress.  Cool temperatures mean less demand for moisture on a relatively small root system.  By the time hotter temperatures arrive, a tree planted early in the season has already grown some new roots, and can more easily draw moisture and nutrition from the soil. (more…)

Leif’s article in the April 5th - Northfield News  discusses things to do when it’s not quite ready yet to make a full assault into the springtime garden work…… 

Dare we hope that the long-awaited Spring of 2008 is now unfolding?  Most of the folks I’ve run into lately are feeling as if it can’t come soon enough.  Despite our yearning to get outdoors and DO something, patience may be advisable for most yard and garden activities.

 Soil compaction is one of the biggest enemies of landscape plants, and it is well documented that wet soil compacts easily.  Even foot traffic can cause some co0mpaction, so try to stay off wet ground until it thaws and drains enough to firm up.

 One early season activity that can be done without too much danger is pruning trees and shrubs.  It’s too early to dig or rake, but trees and shrubs are pretty much dormant and can be safely pruned.

 Another good activity on a nice day before the ground firms up is planning upgrades and additions to the landscape.  When the sun is warm and the wind light, put a comfortable chair in different parts of your landscape and sit quietly.  Allow the hub-bub of daily life to melt away and give yourself permission to imagine the possibilities for a new look in that particular area of the landscape.  Jot down your ideas even if they don’t seem inspired, and move the chair to another part of the yard.  Continue the process until you’ve quietly visited most or all of your landscape.   Put the notes away and look at them a few days later.  The passage of even this short amount of time will give you another perspective on your initial ideas.  In the end, suit yourself.  It’s your landscape, and part of your castle.  Trust yourself and make your yard the kind of place that brings you comfort, joy, renewal and peace. (more…)

Leif’s articles are again appearing in the Northfield News this year! The following article was published in the March 29th issue…

Good pruning of the trees in your landscape is one of the most important things you can do to build and maintain the value and appearance of your real estate. During a period of time when there is downward pressure on housing prices, and a large inventory of homes on the market, having well maintained and beautiful trees could be an important factor in whether or not you receive a reasonable offer for your property.

Many people know that oaks, elms, honeylocusts and fruit trees are best pruned in the winter when the risks of disease transmission are low. With winter slow to make its exit this year, it should be safe to prune these tree varieties up until April 15^th - 20^th.

Good tree pruning is timely pruning. Prune your trees early and often during the first 10-15 years after planting them. Every other year is a good rule of thumb. (more…)