About Us: The Story of Handy Andy’s Nursery

 

Founded in 1952, Lyle and Dorothy Kuester purchased Handy Andy’s Nursery from the original owners (Sue and Andy Manz of Williston) in 1996.  Lyle worked for Sue and Andy in his youth, and after several years of running his own lawn sprinkler business Lyle purchased Handy Andy’s from them.  Sue and Andy Manz owned and operated Handy Andy’s for over 40 years. 

 

When embarking on a new business some of your first and most loyal help comes from family.  Lyle was blessed to have a great deal of labor help getting started from his father John Kuester.  The business is now run by Lyle and his son Andrew/Andy Kuester.  We are proud to be a part of the growing community of Williston and look forward to continuing to serve you with quality plant products.

 

Below you will find a video interview with Lyle that was conducted by Dirk Monson in his “Life Out Here: Entrepreneurship on the Prairie” series in the Spring of 2009

 

Outdoor Plants

 

We offer a vast selection of 4 pack annual flowers; from Alyssum to Zinnias and many varieties in between.  We also have a growing selection of starter vegetable plants.  Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers, Squash.  All of the above are grown from seed, in-house and on location.  This ensures a healthy and hardy plant for this area.

 

Other annuals we offer are known as “Pot Fillers” or “Fillers”; they are hybrid varieties of annuals that have been bred to be larger and more vigorous growers.  While some of our Pot fillers are grown on site from seed, many (due to them being patented) are brought in as small starter plugs.  These plugs are then planted from their trays into individual containers for finish sale.

 

In addition to annuals and vegetables we are also known for our large selection of perennials.  There are many varieties of perennial plants, we try to maintain a diverse selection all season long.

 

We also provide the area with a good supply of trees and shrubs.  From shade trees, like Maple, Ash, Linden, and Elm; to smaller ornamental trees like; Canadian Red Cherry, May Day, flowering Crab-apple trees.  Our diversity of fruit bearing trees we carry has grown over the past years we currently have Apple, Plum, and Cherry trees.  Our shrub selection has grown like our tree selection has, we have a growing selection of shrubs all summer long. 

 

Unlike many other nurseries who close their doors after the spring rush, we periodically place new orders and maintain our stock of perennials, trees and shrubs into late fall.

 

We also have begun carrying a growing selection of bulbs.  Bulbs, if zone appropriate, can be planted outside as perennials in flowerbeds.  Bulbs can also be “forced” to bloom indoors for vibrant and beautiful blooms that can keep the winter blues at bay.

 

Preserving the Tradition:

 

From the time since Lyle’s interview we have made several changes to our business.  We began a renovation project in late 2011 that is still continuing.  In addition to our change in face we have also begun to expand our selection of plants.  We are happy and proud to include indoor plants for your home, office and plant gifts for occasions like weddings and funerals.  In addition to our growing supply of indoor plants we have also begun the sale of Christmas trees during the Holiday season.

 

Holidays

 

The year 2012 marked our first year selling Christmas trees.  We began with the expectation that we would be competing with other established vendors in the area.  That year it turned out that we were the only business in Williston where Christmas trees could be acquired.  The first year was a great success and we look forward to continuing to provide this service to the community.  We carry a fairly diverse selection as far as the variety and size of Christmas trees that are available and we also supply garland, cut by the foot, and wreaths for decorating your home indoors and out.  Our sale of Holiday items each year begins the day after Thanksgiving.

 

Indoor Plants

 

With the start of our 2013 season we began to look for ways to increase our diversity and variety of plant products we have to offer.  In addition to our generous selection of outdoor plants we also have a growing variety of unique and common plants for indoors.  We also provide plants for your gifting needs in the cases of weddings and funerals.  Nothing can brighten up a room like a houseplant.  We have many varieties to suit all light requirements, home, office, even plants for the most dimly lit spaces are available.  We are open year around for the sale of indoor plants.

 

“For the yard you’ll love to come home to…”