By now you’ve probably heard about the apparently random killing of an American businessman in Beijing, and the stabbing of his wife.  The businessman was Todd Bachman, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Bachman’s, Inc., a respected corporation that owns and operates 19 assorted retail garden centers, florists, greenhouses, gift shops and landscape operations in the Minneapolis/St Paul area, as well as a wholesale nursery and growing division.  Todd was in China because his son-in-law, Hugh McCutcheon, is the head coach of the 2008 US Olympic Men’s Volleyball Team.  Read more about this tragedy here.

Thank you to all of you who have sent thoughts my way for my Dad, Chuck Burris, who died on Wednesday, February 20th.   Many of you know him from the days when he was in charge of seeding and transplanting the vegetables and flats of flowers we grew here at Ferda’s.  He was instrumental in helping Bob and me get the Garden Center started in 1979 and 1980– giving us financial help as well as his unpaid labor and good advice.  We will all miss him!

Written by Lynn on the slope of Teasel Hill, spending a quiet day– remembering.

Whew! The Ferda’s Garden Center Auction has come and gone!  We had beautiful weather for it, and a wonderful turn-out.  Most of the excess inventory has been sold, and some of our customers got great deals! 

It has come to my attention that there is a rumor that the Garden Center is closing.  Nothing could be farther from the truth!  We simply had too much inventory and chose this method to get rid of it once and for all, to free up space and cash for new items.  There will be all new stuff in the Spring, and we’ll still be here to serve you.

Written by Lynn on the slope of Teasel Hill where it is sunny, breezy and 80 degrees, and the colors are at their peak.

Have you heard the news?  For the first time ever, Ferda’s Garden Center is having an end-of-season plant auction.  On Saturday, October 20th at 10AM, we’ll be auctioning off most of our remaining trees and shrubs.  If you need some plant material at a (potentially) great price, this is the sale for you!

Come in for some great deals!

Written by Lynn on the slope of Teasel Hill where the temperatures are finally more like October.  Hurray!

Have you read about our special guest for the Harvestfest?  We are proud to be able to bring to you Jerry Ayers, The World’s Fastest Pumpkin Carver.  (He holds the Guinness Book of World Records distinction!)  He will be with us on Saturday, September 22nd from noon to 3 PM, demonstrating his quick and fun way to carve pumpkins.  The pumpkins he carves during that time will be available for sale, and all proceeds will go to the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. (Lynn’s special charity.)  Please join us for the fun, and lend your support for this worthy cause.

Written by Lynn on the slope of Teasel Hill, where it is still hot and sultry at 7PM.