News from Otten Bros. Garden Center & Landscaping

The last few nights have definitely proven that autumn has arrived. I enjoy seeing the changing landscape on my daily drive to work. Wow, the maples on the west side of the twin cities are sure putting on a grand show! According to the DNR's Fall Color Report there is still a lot of beautiful color left to see in the state. Why not get out and take a drive this weekend and enjoy the colors? Better yet, why not plant some fall color in your own yard? Otten Bros. has gorgeous maples and beautiful shrubs looking Fall Color Maples

for good homes to show off their spectacular fall colors!

Also on the horizon is Halloween. It's tradition at our home to have an all-out pumpkin carving night with the cousins. By the time the night is over, there are pumpkin guts everywhere. Some pumpkins are intricate - some scary - some experiments in 'new carving' techniques; all are proudly displayed on our front steps with the rest of our autumn/Halloween decorations.

I am sure you can find all your fall & Halloween decorating needs at Otten Bros. Pumpkins, corn stalks, bittersweet, gourds, mums, kale, pansies, and much more are in stock now. Step into our greenhouse to see incredible decorating inspiration courtesy of Otten Bros. employees. (check out the photos below on how creative one of our employees is when it comes to carving pumpkins and some of our fall containers!)

House Plant Care
House Plant Display

There has been a rush of customer questions regarding overwintering tropicals and the care of houseplants that are coming back in the house after spending the summer outside. Hopefully, your plants are in the house, or at least in a protected area. The recent cold temps might have already damaged them. If not, well, Otten Bros. just received a fresh shipment of houseplants.

Tropicals such as Cannas, Caladiums and Elephant Ears are actually types of bulbs and should be dug up, washed and stored in a cool, dark place for the winter. They can be replanted come spring.

Bananas can be cut back to 6" and stored in a cool, dark place (like a basement). Keep the soil on the dry side.

Hibiscus, Ficus, Dracaena, etc. can be treated as houseplants. Inspect the leaves and stems for insects before bringing them indoors. Use Bonide Systemic Houseplant Insect Control or Ferti-lome Indoor/Outdoor Multi-Purpose Insect Spray for long term insect protection.

There is no need to fertilize your houseplants from November through February. There is just not enough light for the plants to be actively growing.

We know that you will have questions about specific plants, care, insect problems and overwintering. Please call our garden center, stop in, or e-mail us. (952-473-5425) We would love to help you with all your questions! We can also help you with repotting or choosing houseplants that will thrive in your home.

October Gardening To Do List

Time to clean out your garden beds. Compost the refuse only if the material is disease/insect free.

Work compost, peat or Alfalfa's Secret into your planting beds to get a jump on spring planting.

Keep mowing your lawn until the growth stops. Remember that tall matted grass encourages disease and rodents in your lawn.

Wrap young and thin barked trees for protection against animal and winter sunscald damage.

Water your trees, shrubs & evergreens until the ground freezes.

Plant cool season annuals like mums, asters, cabbage and kale. You will have to cover them temporarily if the temperature dips below freezing.

Cover or Minnesota Tip your tender roses before the temps dip below 25 degrees - or sometime mid-October.

Harvest and preserve herbs and veggies for winter use.

Clean bird feeders in preparation for winter use.

Clean and put away empty containers and garden ornaments that are not frost proof .

Turn over birdbaths tops or winterize your birdbaths with birdbath heaters. (your birds will love you!)

Places to Go...Things to See

We had such an overwhelming response to our After Hours Ladies Night in September; we wanted to make sure you Save The Date for our upcoming After Hours Wine & Design events in November. We have added 2 daytime events for those ladies that can't sneak away in the evenings. We are still finalizing many of the details. Look for our e-mailed invitation, with all the fun details, towards the end of October.

Also, new for this Holiday Season: join us for one or all of our Mini Decorating Seminars in November! They will be informal 15-20 minutes of inspiration & how-to advice on making your own holiday decorations (both Thanksgiving & Christmas) using fresh greens, sticks & berries with a little added 'bling bling'.

Find all the dates and times for our holiday fun by clicking here

Other Dates to Remember

Friday, October 23rd - 6pm-8pm - International Festival Orono - Around the World in One Night in Otten Bros. Greenhouse.

Saturday, October 31st -10am-1pm - Safe Trick or Treat in Long Lake. Stop by the Long Lake Fire Department to get treat bags, balloons and a map of participating businesses. If you can, please bring a nonperishable food item for the Interfaith Outreach food shelf.

Saturday & Sunday, November 21st & 22nd - Our Family Tradition: Otten Bros. Holiday Open House
Santa Pictures, Carriage Rides, Kids Crafts & Children's Book 'The Night I Met Santa' Reading & Signing by local author Lora Johnson, door prizes, and much more! The Flower Farm will also have its Holiday Open House that weekend, as well.

U$ele$$ Trivia Que$tion

Congratulations! to Tracy J. for correctly answering last month's trivia question...what is the only continent on which no butterflies or moths have ever been found? Answer: Antarctica.

Being October - I need a Halloween question. Here goes...there is a lot of lore about carving pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns and the exact beginnings of this art. According to many websites, name the county of origin and the vegetable it is originally associated with it. (I know, I know, another double answer. You better make sure you get both right!)

Email your answer to email@ottenbros.com - This month's winner will receive a $50 Otten Bros. gift card. (Yeah! think of all the fun stuff you could buy with that!)

I will leave you with photos of some of the beautiful containers created by our staff. We can help you design your own containers & window boxes - or we can create them for you.

I hope these photos inspire you and get you in the fall spirit! We look forward to seeing you soon.

Cheers!

The Otten Bros. & Flower Farm Staff

2350 West Wayzata Boulevard
Long Lake, Minnesota 55356
952-473-5425

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