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| Issue No. 12 |
September 2009 |
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| Otten Bros. Garden Center & Landscaping Newsletter |
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Greetings!
 When I began planting my new gardens about 2 years ago - I started with a mishmash of leftovers from my old gardens and whatever friends were willing to give me. Since then, I have made an effort to add plants that will attract butterflies, hummingbirds and birds. It has worked! The hummers have been zooming around the salvia, veronica and hosta all summer and the many varieties of coneflower & rudbeckia are sure to be a great source of food for my birds all winter. However, I am most excited to show you my wanna-be-butterflies!  The Monarch caterpillars -18 total, according to my son, were happily munching on my one Asclepias incarnata ('Cinderella' Swamp Milkweed). They ate for about a week and disappeared. (They didn't harm the plant at all.) A couple of days later, I found this chrysalis hanging from my fountain and another from the siding on my house. What fun for my kids and I to see the wonders of nature in our own yard.
If you are interested in planting for wildlife in your yard, Otten Bros. staff can help you create a habitat in your yard, too. It doesn't have to be extensive - remember, I just have a small garden and the wildlife abounds. Fall is the best time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials. So why not plant for your enjoyment as well as for the benefit of wildlife. |
Calling All Ladies
Put your hands in the air - it's After Hours Ladies Night at Otten Bros.!
Tuesday, September 22nd or Tuesday, September 29th
6:00-8:30 pm
Wine, Hors d'oeuvres, Door Prizes, Chair Massages, In-store Specials and Fun!
Back by popular demand our friend & Master Gardener, Marty Berglund. Enjoy her seminar on harvesting and preserving herbs & veggies.
You'll also get a chance to get your hands dirty as you plant your own Blooming Basket of Fall Color! We have an incredible selection of gorgeous annuals & perennials (in stock now, by the way) for all your fall 'decorating' needs!
Please RSVP to 952-473-5425 or email@ottenbros.com
Space is limited - reservations are required. $25.00 registration fee includes all materials for your Blooming Basket!
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Honey Didn't-Do-List
Where did the summer go? I know that there are outdoor projects at my house that were on my to-do list in May...and of course they are still on my list in September.
Let Otten Bros. help you finish your landscaping to-do list this fall. It can be as simple as re-mulching your shrub beds to designing or installing a patio and firepit. Imagine a crisp fall evening on your new patio... fire crackling...family and friends mingling; it is all possible this fall with the help of Otten Bros.
Here is what some of our customers have said about the quality, creativity and professionalism you get when you hire Otten Bros. Call today to set up your FREE initial consultation with one of our Landscape Designers. 952-473-5425
"We have had a lot of work done around the house in the last ten years, and Otten Bros. is by far the most professional. The two gentlemen who did the landscaping were unbelievable. They worked and looked professional. Their clean up blew us away. We didn't have to go outside and sweep up after them, pick up all the marker flags, or clean up leftover debris. On Tuesday we had a drab grassy area and on Thursday we had a beautiful garden that looks like it was there all summer. We won't hesitate to recommend Otten Bros. in the future."
Bruce & Cheryl
"You and your team do GREAT work. I wanted you to know that I really appreciate the beauty you have created."
Mark
"Your landscape plan is sensational! This is exactly what we had in mind. Full speed ahead."
Tom & Jane
"The project you did for us was fantastic: you found the materials that worked within our budget...it was a pleasure to deal with the designer, and the crew guys that were at our house for a week were friendly and professional. It was great experience and we're so happy with our new backyard."
Christensen Family
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September Garden Checklist...
 Fall is for Planting! Keep your newly planted or transplanted trees, shrubs, evergreens and perennials well watered until the ground freezes.
Dig and Divide spring blooming perennials.
Bring houseplants inside as the night temps start to dip below 50 degrees. Use Ferti-lome Indoor/Outdoor Spray a week before you bring them in to kill the bugs that come inside with your plants!
Before September 15th is the best time to seed or sod your lawn.
Bulbs are here! Plant spring flowering bulbs like tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, crocus and alliums now. Bone meal or bulb food will help your bulbs get a good start.
Replace tired old annuals with colorful mums, asters, cabbages, kale and pansies!
Attend Otten Bros. Fall Seminar on September 12th from 10:00-11:30am to learn what you and your garden need this fall.
Pot herbs now to grow indoors this winter.
To make fall garden clean up easier put in a compost bin or pile. Remember not to put diseased plant material into your compost piles.
Control weeds now in your lawns and gardens - this will result in less weed seeds next spring.
Improve garden soils by adding Alfalfa's Secret, peat or compost now.
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Places to Go...Things to See
 Are You and Your Yard ready for Fall? Join us for our fall seminar September 12th 10:00-11:30am at Otten Bros. Refreshments will be served - please RSVP to 952-473-5425 or email@ottenbros.com
Delano Fall Harvest Festival
Festivities begin at noon on Saturday September 26th at Central Park in Delano; enjoy a bowl of chili, numerous kids' activities, hay bale maze sponsored by the Flower Farm, a pie eating contest and a medallion hunt with a $500 prize. Visit www.delanochamber.com or watch the Delano Herald Journal for details.
Clean Water Fair
Wright-Hennepin Clean Water Resource Association will be hosting a Clean Water Resource Fair on Sept. 17th from 1-8pm at the City of Independence. Vendors, agencies and associations connected with clean water will be there (Otten Bros. will have a booth and will be giving a demonstration). It's free & open to the public. |
Help Prevent the Spread of Emerald Ash Borer
 Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is on the move. Everyone needs to do their part to help prevent the artificial spread of this deadly & invasive insect. In Minnesota alone, the insect has the potential to affect or kill over 950 million ash trees.
I know that this sounds like doom & gloom. It's quite scary to think of losing so many trees and how it will affect the environment, ecology & economy of our state. The DNR, USDA & everyone else involved are working day & night to find solutions to controlling EAB. In the meantime, what can you & I do to help slow the spread of EAB? Here is a list of recommendations. These efforts may seem small - but every bit will help.
1.Treat your existing ash trees. Removal of dead trees could potentially cost more than the preventative EAB treatments available.
2. Don't MOVE FIREWOOD - buy it where you burn it. Firewood transported across state and county lines and even across towns has artificially advanced the spread of the insect. Click here to find approved firewood vendors in your area. 3.Plant trees other than ash.Contact our garden centers for a list of suggested trees.
4. Arrest the Pest! Report any suspected EAB infested trees. Click here for tips on how to identify ash trees, confirm signs of EAB, and how to report it to EAB First Detectors. "Arrest the Pest" Hotline 651-201-6684 - Metro Area or 1-888-545-6684 - Greater Minnesota or email Arrest.The.Pest@state.mn.us
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will be hosting a meeting on EAB tomorrow (Sept. 9th)at the Orono Discovery Center from 7-9pm. The meeting is free and open to the public. Otten Bros. encourages you to attend. | |
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U$ele$$ Trivia Que$tion
Obviously, I have been thinking about butterflies lately. So, can you tell me what is the only continent on which no butterflies or moths have ever been found? (this should be an easy one...you have a one in seven chance!)
Email your answer to email@ottenbros.com - This month's winner will receive a $50 Otten Bros. gift card. (Yah! think of all the fun stuff you could buy with that!)
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With school starting - the feeling of fall is truly in the air. It's time to change out your summer annuals for the colors of autumn. We have an incredible selection of fall blooming plants & grasses for gardens, pots and window boxes. They are just gorgeous! Stop in today for the best selection. Hope to see you soon!
Cheers,
The Otten Bros. & Flower Farm Staff |
2350 West Wayzata Boulevard
Long Lake, Minnesota 55356
952-473-5425
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GRO Member Special
10% off all regular priced Evergreen Trees & Evergreen Shrubs
Must be GRO Member to use coupon. (It's FREE to sign up - see any Otten Bros. Employee for details.) Good on in-stock evergreens only. |
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| Offer Expires: September 30th, 2009 |
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