By Tim Krohn

In the past 36 years, Fred and Joy Struck have planted, nursed and sold several million flowers and vegetables.

Still, each early spring, they’re just as excited about getting their hands dirty as they prepare for another season at their Traverse des Sioux Garden Center on Hwy. 169 in St. Peter.

“Growing is fun,” Joy said. “It’s a challenge each year, but it’s fun.”

The family business has recently grown to include son Karl, 23, who recently got his professional landscaper certification and is expanding the landscape design and installation portion of the business.

They started in the greenhouse business in Le Sueur in 1972 and moved to their current location in 1980. Fred has a horticulture degree from the University of Minnesota.

Besides the greenhouses on site, the Strucks have greenhouses on their rural St. Peter farm where they start hundreds of thousands of plants each March. Joy overseas the growing operations, does the bookkeeping and helps at the store.



Mankato Magazine: What’s the biggest changes you’ve seen in the industry?

Fred: “It’s totally flip-flopped. Back in the early ’80s it was totally different. Back then people planted potatoes and vegetables and just a few flowers. Now it’s mostly all decorative plantings.”

Joy: “The whole idea of outdoor living spaces wasn’t around years ago. Now people want more decorative accessories, patios and things. People want a little quiet getaway. Container gardening is huge now, too.”

Fred: “People aren’t as patient now. They used to put seeds in and wait. Now they want big plants, big trees. That’s why container gardening is popular. You buy it and set it down and it looks like it’s been growing a long time.”



MM: Why are you expanding more into landscaping?

Karl: “We invested a lot in equipment and tools, but I think there is still growth in home and commercial landscaping in this area. We aren’t saturated (with landscapers) yet.

“People want to make their yards nicer. Whether it’s the patios or ponds, they want a nice outdoor area for entertaining.”



MM: HGTV has had a big impact on home and garden ideas. What kind of influence have you seen from the cable television channel?

Karl: “It’s giving people a lot of good ideas about outdoor living spaces. I like watching it, but it does give people false expectations. On those shows, they bring in 50 landscapers and do a job in a day. That’s not the way it works.”

Fred: “It gives people what I call ‘Zone Envy.’ They see these beautiful perennials that grow down in Zone 5 or 6 and want them here in Zone 4. A lot of people dabble in Zone 5 plants. I do, too. I always talk to people about where they’re planting it and if they’re willing to take a chance on it dying.”



MM: What’s the good and bad about working together as a family?

Joy: “The nice part is working with your family. It’s fun watching Karl grow.

“The bad part is I have to feed them, too.”

Fred: “The good part is you develop family bonds and you’re familiar with them. And it’s a chance to maybe know the business will be passed on.

“Family tensions can be a down side. Parents and kids with different ideas.”

Karl: “I always knew this is what I wanted to do. It’s nice working with family and the flexibility you get.

“The bad thing is you butt heads. I think I have all the ideas and dad’s been around forever and knows everything.”

MM: So, who’s usually right, you or your dad?

Karl: “I’m going to say 50-50. But he usually gets his way.”



MM: How do you keep up on what’s going to be in demand?

Fred: “I go to the Ohio State show every summer — it’s the largest horticulture show, and they have all their new varieties.

“Twenty years ago people were happy with two or three varieties. Now there are thousands and thousands — almost too many, it can confuse people.

“The research and science that goes into this industry is phenomenal.”



MM: What are the biggest mistakes people make in growing plants?

Joy: “Not watering consistently and not watering enough when it’s hot, especially with plants in containers. They can dry out fast in the heat.”

Fred: “And fertilizing enough. People need food. Fertilizer is food for plants. The other thing is picking the right plant for the right place.”



MM: There are a lot of garden centers and a lot of big retailers selling plants. How do you compete?

Fred: “Being able to educate people. That’s where small, family businesses have the edge over the big boxes. We’re ingrained in this every day. We can give customers the time and the answers.”

Joy: “A lot of people appreciate the service we can give them. It’s fun to see people come in — they’re happy and they’re passionate about gardening.

“And we have better plants.”