FAQs

The first step in our design process is a discussion with you about your potential project. During this initial discussion, we will talk about what your project entails, what services we offer, and potential costs. If the project is a good fit for both you and our team, one of our experienced designers will schedule a time to meet with you on site. During the site visit, we will talk about your wants, needs, likes, dislikes, and environmental factors, such as deer browsing, soil types, and sun vs. shade. We will also take measurements of the site. From there, we will develop a plan that is labeled and to-scale. We incorporate all the items we learned from being on site with you to design landscapes that are functional, beautiful, and that match your maintenance input desires and budget. Our goal is to create a unique, site-specific landscape for each client based on site factors and your desires. We strive to solve landscape issues with creativity and thoughtfulness so that you can be 100% satisfied with the finished project.

Typically, the design process will take about 3 weeks from the initial site visit. Because each project is different, and because we get very busy during the spring and summer months, there are times when it will take a bit longer to get your landscape plan. Once you have the plan, we schedule a time to review it with you, and we can typically have that meeting within a week of completing the plan.

We currently do not draw plans for DIY projects. The plans we draw are for customers that would like the install completed by us. If you have a small project that you need some help with, feel free to bring in some measurements and pictures of your site into one of our retail stores, and our retail staff can give you guidance on how to lay out small areas and give plant suggestions.

We pride ourselves on having a very efficient landscape crew that knows the best way to complete your project in the shortest amount of time possible. Typically, we can get most projects done in 1 or 2 days, unless the project is larger. We don't like letting projects hang after we start, so once we are on site, we will be there until we finish it. We won't leave your yard a mess for weeks because we got pulled to a different project. Bottom line is, Abrahamson Nurseries is committed to getting your project completed quickly so that you can enjoy it as soon as possible!

We do not do any sod installation, and only do lawn seeding as part of a landscape project. We do not offer any lawn care services.

Our landscape crew is proficient in all kinds of landscape projects. Our foreman and crew members have many years of experience in the landscape construction field, and have all the tools, equipment, and machinery available to them to complete each project efficiently. Here is a non-comprehensive list of what we can accomplish in your yard: Retaining walls (concrete block, timbers, boulders, outcroppings, dry-stack natural stone) + Steps (concrete block, natural stone outcropping steps, natural stone cut steps) + Patios and sidewalks (concrete pavers, natural flagstone, patterned flagstone, crushed stone) + Firepits (concrete block, natural stone, metal rings) + Plantings projects + Large scale re-mulching projects + Landscape renovations (removal of existing, install of new) + New home landscape construction

Abrahamson Nurseries has been growing plants since 1928! We currently grow a majority of our annual crop, including our wonderful hanging baskets, containers, herbs, vegetables, bedding plants, and more, at our St. Croix Falls location. We start with very small plugs or cuttings in February, and they are full and beautiful by the time spring rolls around. We grow a majority of our perennials, shrubs, trees, evergreens, and fruits at our Scandia location. Similar to our annuals, we start with small sizes, grow them for a season or two, and then they are ready to be moved into our retail displays. With our long history of being growers, and our expert staff, you can be sure that each plant you bring home from us will be healthy and able to thrive.

Yes! We have a variety of mulch, rock, and soil options that can all be delivered. We can also deliver plant material to your site. If you're not feeling up to the planting of your new trees, we can take care of that for you as well. Please contact one of our stores for availability and pricing, as well as more information on delivery and planting services.

A hardiness zone is a designated geographic area characterized by a specific average annual minimum temperature, a crucial factor influencing the viability of numerous plant species. The lower the number, the colder the location is. According to the most recent USDA zone data, our area includes zone 4a to 4b. Almost all of the trees, shrubs, and perennials that we carry are zone 4 hardy. The few plants that are not (boxwoods for example) are labeled as such, and are not included in our plant guarantee. It is good to take zone hardiness into consideration, but a plant's performance includes other factors like how it was planted, light, space, soil type, wind, and overall plant care.

No, we do not do custom container designs. We do, however, offer workshops where we will teach you about designing your own containers. These workshops are held in the early spring (summer container), early fall (fall container), and early winter (holiday container). Keep an eye on our social media accounts, or sign up for our email list to stay informed about the details of each class.

All of our shrubs and trees have a 2 year guarantee, and our perennials have a 1 year guarantee. The guarantee does not cover animal damage, and it assumes that the plants have been properly cared for (water, sunlight, etc.). See our guarantee page for more information.

Most of the nursery plants we sell are in containers. Our perennials are typically in #1 and #2 sized pots. Our shrubs are typically in #2, #3, and #5 sized pots. Our trees are typically sold in #7, #10, #15, #20, and #25 sized containers. We also carry a selection of larger shade trees, evergreens, and ornamental trees in balled and burlapped (B&B) sizes. We do not sell any perennial plugs, and we do not sell any tree seedlings.

At this time, we do not offer cut flowers or service, but are surrounded by many local businesses that do!

It's always a good time to plant a tree! But, spring and early fall tend to be thought of as the best time to plant trees. Large evergreen trees shouldn't be planted very late into the fall, as they don't have enough time to soak in moisture before winter. Trees can be planted during the heat of summer, but be sure to water them accordingly.

The answer to this is very dependent on what variety of plants we are talking about. Early spring blooming shrubs such as lilac should be trimmed in late spring after the blooms are done, but mid-summer and late blooming shrubs should be trimmed back in late fall. Some trees should be pruned when dormant such as oak trees while others need to be pruned in mid-summer, such as maples. Feel free to call or stop in with questions and our knowledgeable retail staff can give you the info you are after.

Lawn irrigation systems are great at keeping grass green, but can be too much water for landscape plants. This is especially true in heavier clay soils. If your system is set to run every other day, or even every 3rd day, if possible, turn down the irrigation zone that is hitting the new plants. Or better yet, turn the zone off, and run it manually only as needed. This will allow the plants to not get water-logged, and help them develop a stronger root system.

Newly planted plants should not be allowed to dry out. Because they don't have an established root system, new plants can dry out very quickly, especially during the heat of summer. Drying out completely can be very detrimental to the health of the plant, and sometimes even fatal. For the first 1 or 2 weeks after planting, the new plants should be watered every other day (or every day if it's very hot). After the first two weeks, water every 3rd or 4th day, depending on weather. If you get a good rainfall, count that as one of your waterings. Perennials should get roughly .5 to 1 gallon of water per watering, shrubs and small trees about 1 - 2 gallons, and larger trees about 3 to 5 gallons. As the roots get established, you will water less and less. The best practice as the plants get older is to almost let the soil dry out, then give long, deep waterings, and repeat that process. This will help the plants develop strong root systems, and become more drought tolerant.

Six hours of sunlight per day is considered to be full sun, while partial sun covers 4-6 hours.

We recommend waiting to plant annuals until temperatures rise above 50 to 60 degrees, ensuring that the soil is thawed and provides ample space for your plants to thrive. Nevertheless, some early blooming annuals, such as pansies and violas, can be planted earlier. In Minnesota, a favored time for planting annuals is typically towards the end of May.

Full shade areas receive only 3-4 hours of sunlight per day. While this does make plant selection more difficult, there are plenty of plants that can thrive and still provide beauty for these spaces. See our plant resource page for a great list of shade tolerant plants.

Abrahamson Nurseries carries a variety of trees including shaded trees, evergreens, ornamental trees, and fruit trees! See our 2024 retail price list for specifics.

This depends on the size of plant your are planting. Typically, we recommend that the planting hole is 2 times wider than the pot. If the soil is very heavy clay, it helps the plants if you go even wider. Mix the existing soil from site with your amendment (topsoil, peat moss, compost, etc) and backfill the hole with that. This will allow the plant to get roots started easily. In terms of depth, the hole should be as deep as the pot. You don't want to plant too deep as this will cause issues as the tree grows. If the soil is hard clay, loosen the bottom of the hole and add your amendment, but ensure that the top of the pot is even with the top of the ground around the plant.

Our perennial guarantee policy does not include plants damaged by animals; however, we carry a variety of deer and animal repellants at all locations!