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.