Knecht’s

I have gotten several calls at the nursery in the last few weeks regarding past articles of mine that people have read in the Northfield News (or here on our website) and about this or that plant that I highlighted.

Thank you to all the people who follow my articles, I hope you all enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them.

If there is a topic you’d like to see me address in a future article, please use the contact us page and let me know your thoughts!

Leif has a new article posted in the library. Here’s the first paragraph:

Most shrubs and trees that received a light fertilizer application last spring should receive their last light dose of fertilizer in July, If you use granular or liquid feed and plan another application, do it right now, and make it light so the plant can use up all the fertilizer during August and early September, and begin to prepare for dormancy during later September.

Leif’s articles appear in the Wednesday edition of the Northfield News, in the Farm and Garden section, just behind the sports page. All his previous articles are archived in our web library, going back to 2001.

Our staff is busily getting ready for Crazy Daze tomorrow on July 22nd.  We are going to be open at 7:00 am just as most of the other businesses in downtown Northfield for this once a year day of Crazy Specials!  We will be open until our usual closing time of 6 pm.

We have identified over 35 varieties of shrubs and perennials that we will be offering 50% off on for tomorrow only.   There are some spireas, lilacs,  hydrangeas,  arborvitaes,  junipers, roses, etc.  The plants on sale are going to be displayed in our parking area in front of the office.  We have plenty of availability on most items and will keep re-stocking as they sell down. 

This will be a great way of adding some more shrubs to a bed needing a little extra something, creating a natural fence with some of the lilacs, putting some shrubs on a hillside to reduce mowing, adding color with some roses!   These are all great buys!  

We will also be having lemonade and cookies throughout the day!

Please stop in on your way in or out of Northfield for Crazy Daze!

And see the calendar of events for the day on Northfield.org and more details on NDDC’s weblog.

This lovely native of the Minnesota North Shore of Lake Superior is, in my opinion, the best of the Mountain Ash varieties. Somewhat smaller at maturity than most others cultivars, Showy is easily hardy in cold Minnesota weather, and presents its reddish-orange clusters of fruit for viewing better than other varieties.

Wrapping of the bark in the winter until the tree is about 4″ in diameter will help avoid winter sun scald until the bark becomes thicker with age. Over the next few weeks you will notice the colorful fruit display on these trees as it matures from green to red/orange, and perhaps sometime this fall a flock of cedar wax wings will gorge themselves in preparation for the coming winter. Be sure to plant this tree in fertile, well drained soil to promote good healthy roots.

See our complete listing of shade trees for more options.

Leif has a new article posted in the library. Here’s the first paragraph:

Recently we had some people bring in leaf samples that had some mildew. Actions to improve the situation include pruning and thinning vegetation to allow more air movement and better access to sunlight, spraying with a fungicide several times in May, June, July and selecting a variety more resistant to mildew. An infestation of mildew will not automatically kill the plant, but action is needed to prevent the loss of vigor over time, and perhaps the later loss of the plant if heavy mildew persists year after year.  Consumers of lawn and garden services should be aware that representatives of some companies are using high pressure and misleading tactics to secure contracts to spray all the customer’s trees and shrubs for pests and disease. While I am grateful that these services are available when they are needed, I’m afraid that some vulnerable people may be pressured into buying services they do not need, and sometimes cannot afford.

Leif’s articles appear in the Wednesday edition of the Northfield News, in the Farm and Garden section, just behind the sports page. All his previous articles are archived in our web library, going back to 2001.

The display garden at the entrance of the nursery is in its full summer glory right now. Even if you do not need any plants in your gardens at home, please make a point to stop on in and look at the hillside. The Yucca is standing proud above the Monarda and Yarrow. The Heliopsis is shining with bright yellow flowers, the Tiger Lilies are an absolute brilliant orange. The list goes on. The Marigolds on the hillside by the highway are just hitting their stride and are beautiful…….

The four pictures are just snapshots of the color. Hope to see you at the nursery soon!

Last night we hosted the summer picnic at our home. The weather was quite nice, a little humid, but the sun was out and the sky was blue, so what more can you ask for except fewer mosquitoes. The picnic was a thank you to our crew for all of the hard work they put in on a daily basis.

Darrin Corbin, our soon to be partner and who is in charge of our landscape division, grilled the hotdogs, hamburgers and brats!
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After dinner, many joined us around the fire ring for S’mores and fellowship. It was fun to just sit and relax and visit without having the rush of daily work.

Pictured around the campfire are John Porterfield, Kevin Borek, Jason Hendrichs, Jacob Kohn, Peter Douglass, Derek Chicos, Richard Middleton, Joey Corbin, Joanne Corbin, Heidi Gervais, Eric Wilson and Caitlyn Borek.

If you have a little extra spot that you have been wanting to add some color, or an event coming up where you’d like some more annuals - stop in at the nursery. Today we have put all of our annuals on 50% off while the supplies last - no coupon needed. There are many lovely baskets left, several planters that will add color to a corner, or simply make a great hostess gift for that sumemr picnic, etc. The values are many. Stop in now before they’re gone!

Leif has a new article posted in the library. Here’s the first paragraph:

It’s hard to believe that the 2004 growing season is about half way to completion. Over all, it’s been pretty good. I’ve heard a number of people remark that their perennials, shrubs and trees have never looked better. For most established plants the ample rainfall in May and early June and relatively cool weather has made for lush growth and big blossoms on flowering varieties. However, not everyone has had uniformly good results. Fields with uneven drainage clearly show stunted growth in areas where excess moisture levels limited oxygen in the soil. Judging from the reports of customers at the nursery, the same thing happens in their home landscapes. New plantings in areas with good drainage are usually doing well, while plants in compacted clay and areas of poor drainage commonly are seen to struggle.

Leif’s articles appear in the Wednesday edition of the Northfield News, in the Farm and Garden section, just behind the sports page. All his previous articles are archived in our web library, going back to 2001.

Winter hardy hydrangeas have been a mainstay of the landscape for a very long time. Vigorous efforts by plant breeders have brought us many new varieties to complement the excellent old standards of Annabelle and Pee Gee. Pink Diamond, Unique, Compact, Limelight, White Dome, and The Swan all can be excellent in the Minnesota landscape, as well as the nice blue flowering newcomer from Bailey Nurseries named Endless Summer.

Heidi Gervais, our retail manager, has been impressed with these perennials as they are interesting, unusual and are now showing off their stuff!

Ligularia: Brit Marie Crawford (pictured) and Desdemona — Large leaves, daisy like flowers that give it a unique attraction. Flowers will be bright yellow and the foliage is a deep maroon color. A very beautiful plant.

Campanula: Beautiful Trust — These strange and alien looking white flowers are relatives of Minnesota’a native Hair Bells. The flowers arch over and sort of weep. Stunning!

Rudebekia “Black Beauty” — A true conversation piece. It looks as if the petals have been plucked. Very unusual!
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These are just three of hundreds of perennials that we have in stock. Please take time to stop in and browse our perennial sales area!

This is the hardiest of the varieties of spreading Japanese Yew for the harsh Minnesota climate. For shady places in the landscape few plants excel like Taunton Yew. When given one annual clipping, this star performer in shade will remain a lovely compact emerald green shrub of two to three feet in size. Tolerant of a variety of soil conditions, Taunton Yew rarely disappoints.

See our complete listing of shrubs for more options.

The following is our next e-coupon for the next weeek! We’re running a little behind so this coupon will be good for one week, and then next week, we’ll have a new one for two weeks!

(Click here for a printer-friendly page)

Click here for a printer-friendly page.

Leif has an article coming out this week in the Northfield News regarding watering. If there was a more important article for its content, I don’t know what it would be. Last week, at least every other phone call was concerning plants and when discussing with people what the problem appeared to be, it came back to the way it was being watered. I’m encouraging everyone to read his article and let us know if anyone of you has a question!

Leif’s articles appear in the Wednesday edition of the Northfield News, in the Farm and Garden section, just behind the sports page. All his previous articles are archived in our web library, going back to 2001.