February 1, 2017 Newsletter

During the summer of 2016, Klein’s Floral & Greenhouses, Inc. announced plans for a major renovation. Thrilled patrons were glad to learn that we will remain at our convenient and highly visible location for generations to come. Customers, neighbors and city agencies have all been very involved with and supportive in moving forward with our huge undertaking. Though exact details are a work in progress, our hopeful plans call for a late 2017 Grand Opening.

Klein’s charming, but antiquated, greenhouses are in dire need of upgrade; in order to provide a comfortable shopping experience, improve customer safety, increase energy efficiency and contribute to our goal towards sustainability. Our current floral department operates out of cramped, dark quarters in the basement of the original farmhouse. Hopes are for a prominently located open concept modern flower shop in the new facility; a facility that will try to replicate unique elements of our current buildings in the new design.

Current plans are to stay open for business throughout the renovation, operating out of our growing greenhouses at the back of our property. Development will come in two phases, with the retail areas scheduled in phase one and then the growing facilities (much newer structures) at a later date.

For more, visit: Klein’s Renovation

Ask any of your gardening questions by e-mailing them to us at madgardener@kleinsfloral.com. Klein’s in-house Mad Gardener will e-mail you with an answer as promptly as we can. We’ve also posted a link to this e-mail address on our home page for your convenience. Your question might then appear in the “You Asked” feature of our monthly newsletter. If your question is the one selected for our monthly newsletter, you’ll receive a small gift from us at Klein’s. The Mad Gardener hopes to hear from you soon!

Sorry, we can only answer those questions pertaining to gardening in Southern Wisconsin and we reserve the right to leave correspondence unanswered at our discretion. Please allow 2-3 days for a response.

Please note that our Mad Gardener is not only an expert gardener, but can answer all of your indoor plant questions as well.

Now is the time to stop in and ask for an application or fill one out at Employee Application. We always need seasonal, part-time counter help in the spring and greenhouse production swings into gear by mid-February. If you’re interested, ask for Sue or Kathryn for the retail area or Jamie or Rick for the greenhouses. Benefits include a generous discount on all those plants you buy at Klein’s anyway. Join our team and experience how it’s all done.

Monday thru Friday : 8:00-6:00

Saturday: 9:00-5:00

Sunday: 10:00-4:00

Monday, February 13: 8:00-7:00

Tuesday, February 14: 8:00-7:00

February 2–Ground Hog Day

February 10-12—Wisconsin Public Television’s Garden Expo at the Alliant Energy Center. The Klein’s booths will entice all senses with fresh herbs, colorful windowsill bloomers, spring annuals and garden decor. We’ll also be giving out coupons for free annuals and in-store savings come spring. Tickets for Wisconsin Public Television’s Garden Expo are available at Klein’s for a lesser price than at the door. More details are available at www.wigardenexpo.com. There, you’ll find a complete list of exhibitors and a calendar of scheduled events.

February 10–Full Moon

February 14—Valentine’s Day. Order early for guaranteed delivery. We deliver throughout Madison and most of Dane County.

February 20–Presidents’ Day

Throughout February–Ever thought about working at a garden center? Now is the time to stop in and ask for an application or fill one out at Employee Application. We always need seasonal, part-time counter help in the spring and greenhouse production swings into gear by mid-February. If you’re interested, ask for Sue or Kathryn for the retail area or Jamie or Rick for the greenhouses. Benefits include a generous discount on all those plants you buy at Klein’s anyway. Join our team and experience how it’s all done.

By Mark Anderson @ www.markandersononline.com/blog/avoiding-problem-order-gathering-flower-business/

Order gathering in the floral business is a problem that hurts real local florists, customers, and the way consumers perceive flowers. Fortunately it can be avoided.

There is a nasty thing that happens in the flower business called order gathering. A business, referred to as an order-gatherer, that has no intention of actually filling an order manages to convince the customer that they will. They then “gather” the order, collecting order information, payment, etc.

They then try and get a real local florist (such as Klein’s) to actually do the hard work of preparing and filling the order. Unfortunately, they pass along only a fraction of the money that you paid and keep the rest in a practice known as skimming. You order the arrangement shown on the website, but you usually get something quite different than you expected. You get less than what you paid for. This is the problem with order gathering.

There are two main steps to order gathering. The first is to get the customer to order, usually through an attractive and well-organized ecommerce website. To get the retail customer to order flowers, the order gatherer makes a pretty big promise, usually in the form of a photograph of a spectacular floral arrangement. They assure you this is what you are buying.

From this point on, it’s kind of a negotiation between the order gatherer and the filling florist (Klein’s). The order gatherer wants to keep as much money as possible, and they’ll start cutting corners and making sacrifices – anything to get the cost down.

With that direction, and so much less money, the filling florist is being asked to do something very different than what you had in mind.

Almost a third of the money you paid was completely removed from the equation. It never gets to the people that actually make and deliver your flowers. This is order gathering!

Imagine if order gathering also happened with pizza. A company that has absolutely no intention of making or delivering your pizza convinces you to call them and place an order.

They then try and find a real local pizzeria to actually bake and deliver the pizza, but for a fraction of what you paid. First they probably cut the size – the large that you ordered becomes a medium. The fresh mushrooms that you were promised become canned. Sacrifices are made in the name of profit.

It wouldn’t work because, with pizza, the customer (the person that pays) usually gets to see it, and they know exactly what to expect. They’d be furious if they were shortchanged in this way.

But the flower business is different. Often the customer never even sees the flowers (people generally send flowers to someone else) and, even if they do, they may not understand flowers well enough to realize that there was a problem. This is just one of the problems that order gathering creates.

If the customer is upset they usually get upset at the wrong person. They see the local florist, the one that prepared and delivered the flowers, as the one that shortchanged them. That’s not fair – the local florist did exactly what they were asked and paid to do.

The industry as a whole also suffers, because the customer comes away thinking that flowers are a lousy gift, that you never get what you pay for.

*****

Most internet searches return more fake or “deceptive” listings than real local flower shops. Believe it or not these are middlemen that pretend to be local florists but they aren’t. Instead they take your order, hire a local florist to send a smaller arrangement at a lower price, and keep a big chunk of the money for themselves. And just to add insult to injury they also stick on a bunch of service charges that don’t add any value. The bottom line is that you pay for much more than what you get.

If you can find a local florist on Yelp! or Google Places (you’ll see a map, and a list of shops with pins showing their placement on it, and star ratings) you are probably safe. Both Yelp! and Google try and make sure that those listings only exist for genuine local flower shops.

For the most part don’t trust phone books or telephone directories – both feature more of what are known as “deceptive listings” than real flower shops. Order-gatherers and drop shippers will run fake listings, often even using the names and addresses of established local flower shops, and it can be very hard to know what is real. They’re trying to trick you, and you won’t like what happens if they do.

The best thing is to actually visit a shop in your town. Just pop in and take a quick look around – you’ll enjoy it, and they will be happy to give you a business card, brochure or fridge magnet. Put their number in your phone right away – it sounds crazy but there will be impostors using the same name in the phonebook and online.

Hi Sara,

You’re correct in assuming that the browning problems are probably two separate issues.

The browning leaf tips is usually due to a lack of humidity in most homes during the wintertime. Certain plants are more susceptible than others–dracaena massangeana (aka corn plants) being one of them; along with peace lilies, Chinese evergreens, spider plants, and so many more. The brown tips can be trimmed with a pair of scissors, so long as you don’t trim back into the green parts of the leaf. Doing so will cause the leaves to brown even further up the leaf.

The losing of the bottom leaves is completely normal as this type of dracaena ages. Some of it’s due to the short days of winter, but most of it is due to the fact that this type of dracaena eventually forms a trunk and will turn into a small tree with a semi-woody stem. Once they get too tall, they can be chopped off at the desired height and the trunk will form 2-4 new branches at the cut. The cut off top is easily rooted as a new plant.

Though it seems counter-intuitive, it’s best not to move plants around once they are placed in a new home. Each time they’re moved, they need to reacclimate to the new location. Oftentimes, when a plant has a problem(s), the stress from the move causes the problem(s) to get even worse.

Dracaenas like a nice, bright and warm location. Allow the surface to dry between thorough waterings.

I hope I’ve been of some help.

Thanks for your question,

Klein’s Mad Gardener

Master Gardeners are volunteers typically trained through universities or university extensions throughout the United States and Canada Once they complete their training, Master Gardeners help the Extension better serve the home gardening public by answering questions, speaking to groups, working with 4-H horticultural projects, participating in civic beautification, maintaining demonstration gardens, teaching plant sciences and horticulture, maintaining their web site, and in many other ways. Master Gardeners are willing and able to educate individuals and groups in gardening topics such as plant selection, composting, soil improvement, pest control, vegetable and flower gardening, pruning, and more.

The Madison Area Master Gardeners Association, located in Dane County, Wisconsin, is one of about 50 local Wisconsin Master Gardener Associations (MGAs) whose members are students or alumni of University of Wisconsin-Extension Master Gardener Volunteer training. MAMGA (Madison Area Master Gardeners Association) was founded in 1986 as a forum for Master Gardener Volunteers (MGVs) in south-central Wisconsin to continue professional improvement and provide service to the community.

MAMGA, the Madison Area Master Gardeners Association, is a local non-profit organization of persons who have completed the basic Master Gardener training course, or are current students. MAMGA members may or may not also be currently certified Master Gardener Volunteers. MAMGA exists to provide education, service, and fellowship opportunities for its members. Membership costs $25 per year. MAMGA members receive discounts at many local nurseries (including Klein’s), participate in educational programs and garden tours throughout the year, and are invited to social events.

WIMGA, the Wisconsin Master Gardeners Association, is a state-wide non-profit organization of persons who have completed the basic Master Gardener course, or are current students. Most MAMGA members also choose to join WIMGA, but doing so is not required. WIMGA membership costs $5 per year. WIMGA members receive periodic newsletters and other informational communications from the state master gardener office. WIMGA also hosts a statewide Master Gardener conference each year.

Certified Master Gardener Volunteers have completed the basic Master Gardener training course and have satisfied annual volunteer service and continuing education requirements. Most Certified Master Gardener Volunteers choose to join MAMGA and/or WIMGA, but are not required to do so. There is no cost to be certified as a Master Gardener Volunteer. Certified Master Gardener Volunteers assist gardeners through the local UW-Extension Office by serving as plant health advisors, answering hotline calls, tending the Teaching Garden, and performing various other activities that support the UW-Extension Horticulture Program and reach out into the community. Certified Master Gardener Volunteers also perform lots of other gardening outreach and service at places like University Display Gardens, Allen Centennial Garden, Olbrich Gardens, the UW Arboretum, churches, community gardens, and many other venues.

—Attend a Master Gardener Volunteer interview session for acceptance into the program.

—Sign the UWEX Master Volunteer Agreement and consent to the state background check.

—Attend the 16 session Master Gardener Volunteer course which runs from late Feb to the end of August. Classes are held approximately every other Wednesday morning.

—Pass the open-book take-home exam with a score of 70% or better.

—Perform the 24 hours of volunteer service by the end of the six-month course.

—Attend one MAGMA educational session, social event or garden tour during the course.

—Discounts at area nurseries and retailers including Klein’s!

—Free admission to MAMGA sponsored programs and events

—Educational programs

—Garden tours

—Service and community education opportunities

—Fellowship and social events

Sources: dane.uwex.edu and www.mamgawi.org

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT—Each month we spotlight some product that we already carry or one that we’ve taken note of and plan to carry in the near future. Likewise, if you would like to see Klein’s to carry a product that we don’t currently, please let us know. Our goal is to be responsive to the marketplace and to our loyal clientele. If a product fits into our profile, we will make every effort to get it into our store. In addition, we may be able to special order an item for you, whether plant or hard good, given enough time.

by Lisa Greene @ www.aboutflowersblog.com

I recently found a plant that is easy to grow, beautiful and reasonably priced. As a busy mom and full-time florist, these plants are just what I am looking for when it comes to bringing decorative flora into my home.

It is the tillandsia, a group of plants commonly known as “air plants.” I know you have seen this little plant, popular at flea markets and craft fairs. Let me tell you about this plant so you will enjoy it and be able to grow one (or more) in your home.

In the wild, these plants are attached to trees or rocks where they are supported above the ground, hence the name, “air plant.” Plants that have roots in the soil are terrestrial, and plants grown above the soil are epiphytes. In its natural environment, tillandsia is exposed to filtered sunlight, and when it rains, the plant collects water in crevices formed by the shape of its leaves. These minimal needs make it to be an easy-care houseplant.

Tillandsias are available in several different species to fit any decor. To display tillandsia in your home, mount the plant on pieces of driftwood (or other objects) and simply submerge in water to soak the plant tissues.

Tillandsia can be grown on almost any imaginable decorative mount, including shells, rocks, slate and driftwood. They prefer to be mounted on a solid substrate that does not retain water. You can glue your tillandsia directly to the surface with a strong adhesive, or you can wire the plant to the base. Don’t cover the base of the plant with moss or it may rot. Group them in decorative clumps for maximum effect.

Once they stop dripping, put them back on display and enjoy. There is debate on the best time of day to water a tillandsia, but my experience has taught me to water in the morning. I hope you like them, too, and they can find a niche in your home.

Seed catalogs for the upcoming growing season have pretty much all arrived on my doorstep. Now the fun begins—paging through the the dozen or more catalogs I received and the planning of my my 2017 garden. I enjoy trying new things every year, but for the most part I rely on the tried and the true; many of which were once AAS (All American Selections) Award Winners. Some of my very favorites?: Lady in Red Salvia, African Sunset Petunia, Cheyenne Spirit Echinacea, Zinnia Profusion Double Hot Cherry, Glamour Red Kale, Moonsong Deep Orange Marigold…the list goes on and on through the years.

For the 2017 season, enticing candidates for my own garden include:

This spiked beauty claimed victory in North America’s trial sites to become the first ever AAS Winner from Japanese breeding company Murakami Seed. The judges gave this entry high marks in the greenhouse for the good branching, almost bushy growth habit and early to bloom flower spikes.

In the garden, Asian Garden Celosia continued to bloom on sturdy stems, keeping the bright pink color all summer long, holding up even through some of the first frosts of the season. The AAS Judges commented on the fact that this celosia was a pollinator-magnet, making this AAS Winner a sure bet for pollinator-friendly gardens.

With an outstanding deep red velvety flower color and great branching habit, Calliope® was unmatched in the AAS Trials when compared to other market varieties. Calliope® Medium Dark Red geranium is an interspecific hybrid with zonal-type flowers and leaves. This AAS Winner has a mounded, semi-spreading growth habit with strong stems supporting the flower heads that are loaded with deep red blossoms. These plants work great in containers, combination plantings, hanging baskets as well as in an in-ground landscape. Gardeners will enjoy exceptional landscape performance in normal conditions as well as in more challenging high heat and drought conditions.

This exotic pepper wins on uniqueness alone! However, the plant’s vigor, earliness, high yields, large size and awesome taste all contribute to its high score among AAS judges. Mad Hatter is a member of the Capsicum baccatum pepper species from South America commonly used in Bolivian and Peruvian cuisine. You can impress your friends by growing this pepper and showing off the novel three-sided shape and deliciously sweet taste. The taste has a refreshing, citrusy floral flavor that remains sweet, only occasionally expressing mild heat near the seeds. Be prepared for vigorous and robust plants that are easy to grow because they were bred for North America’s many growing conditions. Use your abundant harvest raw in salads, pickled or stuffed with cheese…a new favorite!

Patio Choice Yellow is a new compact, determinate tomato developed specifically for small spaces and container gardens. This AAS Winner produces very large yields of 1/2 ounce bright yellow cherry tomatoes on short vines that grow only 18 inches tall. This mild flavored cherry tomato sets over 100 fruit on compact plants which are perfect for urban or small space food gardeners. Consider using these beautiful tomatoes either fresh or in the oven or sun dried for a deliciously sweet treat. For even easier picking, plant in a hanging basket.

EnduraScape™ is described as “tough as nails” because it is the first verbena that can tolerate drought and heat plus survive cooler temperatures down to the low teens. This long-blooming pink bicolor verbena is spectacular in the landscape, edging a walk or border as well as in large containers and baskets. Vigorous plants are sturdy spreaders that pop with abundant soft pink blossoms that darken in intensity toward the center of the bloom. Pink Bicolor is the newest color in the series and the AAS Judges deemed it truly spectacular!

Source: all-americaselections.org/

While flipping through seed and plant catalogs today, I noticed that Jung’s is carrying both ginger and turmeric roots for sale. I’ve grown ginger and turmeric in my own garden for many years now. In fact, just today I checked the watering of both the ginger and the turmeric that I’m overwintering in large containers in my basement’s root cellar. Though completely dormant at the moment, both plants make lovely tropical foliage plants in the summer garden. Turmeric is especially lovely in a large containers. I harvest and use the roots as needed throughout the summer and into fall; leaving some in the container for the following year’s crop.

There are a few spices that grow well in containers right at home, and ginger happens to be one of them. Popular in tasty Asian dishes and in many favorite baked treats, ginger adds zingy flavor to culinary delights of all sorts. And, ginger is super easy to grow in a container. In fact, it’s so easy to grow; you may not be able to stop yourself from running out today to get this simple gardening project started. You can have fresh ginger available to add to your own recipes in no time flat.

Ginger has been a useful plant since before historical records even began. It’s believed to originate in India. It’s been a popular spice on the worldwide scale, second only to pepper, throughout time.

The ginger plant’s adaptability has allowed the most humble of folks all the way to the fancy rulers to enjoy it throughout history. For example, Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) is credited with enjoying the appearance of gingerbread men popular still today at Christmastime. Ginger’s rich history goes right along with its impressionable flavor, and millions continue to enjoy its flavor and its medicinal properties today.

The healthiest ginger plants are grown from reputable nurseries or from quality online gardening sources. But a ginger root can also be purchased from your local grocery store (I purchased my original roots for planting from Woodman’s, in fact). Grocery store ginger roots may be coated with a growth inhibitor, which prevent it from sprouting in the grocery store. Grocery ginger root may also be treated with fungicides and/or pesticides. So, to clean your ginger, soak your new ginger root for 24 hours before slicing it up to plant.

Choose a wide, flat container to plant. Ginger’s roots grow horizontally, so width is more important than depth. Containers that are small enough to easily be moved inside and out are the perfect choice for ginger. Fill your container with a rich potting soil that will drain well.

Slice your ginger knob, into thin pieces. Select pieces of the knob that have “eyes” on them. Eyes are indentations in the surface of the root, where sprout will begin. Place the piece of ginger with the eyes facing up into the soil, and cover with about and inch and a half of soil.

Water your ginger well in the early stages of planting. Continue to water or spray your plant’s soil often to keep the soil moist but not soggy. And be patient. Ginger can take several weeks to sprout.

Ginger is a good plant to enjoy indoors in colder climates. While it will enjoy the outdoors during warm months, any frost will kill a ginger plant. Choose a location with indirect light for your ginger.

After about eight months, your ginger plant will be mature. At that point, you can separate the rhizomes by pulling off a section of the plant including a piece of the rhizome. Transplanting is as easy as setting that rhizome into a new container of soil. Ginger is an easy root to share with a friend.

Although the ginger plant may take many months to mature, you can harvest ginger when the plant is three or four months old. When you push away the soil from around the rhizome, you’ll notice that ginger rhizomes look knobby. You will also see roots reaching outward and downward from the rhizome. The rhizome is the edible portion of ginger. The roots can be cleaned off as you clean the rhizome to eat.

To enjoy a bit of ginger, simply uncover a piece of rhizome, and trim off one of the finger-like extensions. You can harvest ginger in this manner anytime you wish. However, you may find that you love it so much that you’ll need more than one rhizome planted at a time. You can alternate snipping from your plants if you grow more than one.

Before you eat ginger, you should rinse it and peel the skin off with a potato peeler. Then, enjoy your ginger freshly sliced or grated. Or, dry your ginger by slicing it paper thin and setting it on a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in an oven or outside in a dry, sunny location. Ginger may take several hours or several days to dry. When it’s completely dried, it can safely be stored in plastic bags. You can also grate your dried ginger with a coffee grinder. Grated ginger is a delicious result of an easy gardening project!

Source: www.gardeningchannel.com

“From December to March, there are for many of

us three gardens:

the garden outdoors,

the garden of pots and bowls in the house,

and the garden of the mind’s eye.”

– Katherine S. White

Happy Dreaming!

KLEIN’S RECIPES OF THE MONTH—These are a selection of relatively simple recipes chosen by our staff. New recipes appear monthly. Enjoy!!

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a zesty spice native to southeastern Asia. The ginger root familiar to most people is the underground rhizome of the ginger plant. Its name is thought to come from the Sanskrit name singabera, meaning “horn-shaped,” probably a reference to the fact that ginger root sometimes resembles a horn.

This aromatic and pungent root has been around for millennia. It was mentioned in ancient Indian, Chinese and Middle Eastern writings, and was such a prized spice that ancient Romans imported it from China, despite its prohibitive cost. Today ginger is cultivated in Jamaica, Fiji, India, Australia and Indonesia.

One reason ginger has been so valued throughout history is its wide array of medicinal applications. Ginger has been celebrated for its ability to soothe gastrointestinal distress, reducing gas, cramping and especially nausea. It is so effective in treating nausea that double-blind studies have shown it to be better than over-the-counter medicines designed to alleviate motion sickness. It is a great choice for pregnant women as a safe, natural agent for even the most severe forms of nausea and vomiting.

Ginger can be made into a tea simply by steeping one or two half-inch slices of fresh root in a large cup of hot water for three-to-five minutes before drinking.

Ginger is a potent anti-inflammatory, containing gingerols – active phytonutrients that not only impart its distinctive flavor, but help lower the inflammatory response. Ginger has been shown in studies to be effective at alleviating pain and improving mobility in people with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Gingerols may also help to inhibit the growth of colorectal cancer cells and induce the death of ovarian cancer cells in humans. It may also help with recovery from colds and flus by promoting healthy sweating and detoxification, although more research is needed to establish these actions.

Ginger is often associated with Asian cooking, and commonly used in stir-fries, but its spicy, zesty taste is also delicious in beverages, baked goods, marinades and on fruit and vegetables. For culinary use, ginger can be used dried or fresh, though the fresh root has much more flavor and taste than dried ginger, and contains higher levels of gingerols. When purchasing fresh ginger, look for roots that are firm, smooth and free of mold.

Typically, supermarkets carry what is called mature ginger – it has a thicker skin that requires peeling. Asian markets generally offer young ginger as well, which does not need to be peeled. Either type is available year-round, and will last in the refrigerator unpeeled for up to three weeks. You can also freeze unpeeled ginger for up to six months.

To use mature ginger, simply cut off the skin with a paring knife and slice, mince or julienne the root by cutting it into long, thin strips. You can add ginger when cooking at the beginning for a milder taste, or at the end for a more pungent flavor.

Source: www.drweil.com

THAI GREEN PORK CURRY—The aromas that fill the house while preparing this recipe from the Sept. 14, 2016 Wisconsin State Journal is amazing. This fun-to-make recipe has become a new family favorite.

1 tablespoon unsalted butter (use coconut oil for a dairy-free version)

1 tablespoon vegetable or peanut oil

1 onion, halved and thinly sliced

2 garlic cloves, minced

3 tablespoons Thai green curry paste

1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger

1 red bell pepper, slivered

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk

1 tablespoon fish sauce or soy sauce

2 cups small cauliflower florets

4 cups cubed pork loin

1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

3/4 cup slivered fresh basil leaves

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

6 cups hot cooked white or jasmine rice to serve

Lime wedges to serve

In a large pot over medium high heat, melt the butter with the oil. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until tender, about 4 minutes. Add the curry paste and ginger and stir until you can smell the spices. Stir in the bell pepper, then add the broth and coconut milk and bring to a gentle simmer (do not let the mixture boil or it might separate or curdle).

Add the fish sauce or soy sauce, and the cauliflower. Simmer for 5 minutes, until the cauliflower starts to become tender. Add the pork and the chickpeas and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 7 to 10 minutes, until the pork is cooked and the cauliflower is tender. Stir in the basil and lime juice and serve over the hot rice, with the lime wedges on the side to squeeze over. Serves 6.

ASIAN BOK CHOI—A brand new recipe from the Wisconsin State Journal, Jan. 25, 1917. Nothing could be easier!

2 tablespoons sesame seeds (optional)

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger

2 pounds bok choy, trimmed, sliced into 1-inch pieces, and rinsed

1/2 cup chicken broth

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon Sriracha or other hot chili sauce

Place the sesame seeds, if using, in a large stock pot or braiser (this will seem silly, but you will use the same pan to cook the bok choy). Heat the pan over medium heat, stirring frequently until you can smell the sesame seeds and they turn a bit more golden in color. This will only take 2 or 3 minutes; watch carefully that they don’t get too brown. Turn the seeds onto a small plate and set aside.

Heat the vegetable oil in the same pan over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and the ginger and stir for 1 minute until you can smell the aromas. Add the bok choy (it’s OK if it’s still a bit damp) and stir for another 2 minutes, then pour in the chicken broth, soy sauce and hot sauce, and bring to a simmer. Cover the pan and cook the bok choy for about 8 minutes, until it is tender, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a serving bowl with its cooking liquid and serve hot, with the sesame seeds sprinkled on top if desired. Serves 6.

AMAZING CAIPIRINHA—Caipirinha is the national drink of Brazil. This fantastically flavored concoction appeared in Bon Apetit magazine in December 2008.

the peel from 4 large limes (green part only; removed with vegetable peeler in 2-inch-long strips)

1 cup fresh lime juice

8 1/4-inch-thick slices peeled fresh ginger

1/4 cup sugar

30 large fresh mint leaves plus 10 fresh mint sprigs for garnish

1 cup Brazilian rum (such as cachaça, available at Woodman’s i.e.)

3 cups ice cubes plus additional for serving

5 cups ginger beer or ginger ale

Combine lime peel, lime juice, ginger, sugar, and 30 mint leaves in mortar or medium bowl. Using pestle, muddler, or handle of wooden spoon, crush lime peel, ginger, and mint leaves together. Transfer mixture to large pitcher. Stir in rum. Can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.

Add 3 cups ice cubes to lime mixture in pitcher and stir to blend. Stir in ginger beer. Fill 10 cocktail glasses with ice cubes. Strain or pour cocktail mixture into prepared glasses. Garnish each drink with mint sprig. Makes 10 drinks.

GINGER SALMON—Given this combination of flavorful it’s hard to go wrong with this elegant salmon recipe.

1 TBS. plus 2 tsp. vegetable oil

4x 6 oz. salmon filets

2 TBS. packed brown sugar

3 TBS. soy sauce

2 TBS. dry white wine

2 TBS. lemon juice

1 tsp. minced garlic

1 tsp. grated ginger

1/2 tsp. Tobasco sauce

1/4 cup minced onion

Heat one TBS. oil in a large pan over high heat. Add the salmon, cover the pan, reduce to medium-high and cook 6 minutes, turning once halfway through. Remove the salmon from the pan and keep warm. Drain or wipe the oil from the pan.

Combine the sugar, soy sauce, wine, lemon juice, garlic, ginger and Tobasco in a bowl. Heat the remaining 2 tsp. oil in the same pan. Add the onion and sauté one minute. Stir in the sauce and cook 1 minute to thicken the glaze slightly. Return the salmon to the pan and cook 1 minute more, turning once. Serves 4.

GINGER PEANUT ZUCCHINI SOUP—A very favorite recipe from the fantastic Vegan Eats World.

1 1/2 lbs. zucchini or any summer squash cut into 1/2” cubes

1 TBS. peanut oil

1 large onion, chopped

2 large carrots, diced

2 red chile peppers, minced

4 cloves minced garlic

1 TBS. grated ginger

1 tsp. ground coriander

4 cups vegetable broth

2 bay leaves

1x 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes

2/3 cup peanut butter (either chunky or smooth is OK)

1 TBS. lime juice

1/2 tsp. salt

fresh pepper

chopped cilantro

cooked rice

In a colander and over a bowl or in the sink, sprinkle the zucchini with some salt. Set aside. In a soup pot, heat the oil over medium heat and sauté the onion. Add the carrots and the chiles and continue sautéing a minute or two. Stir in the garlic, ginger and coriander and cook one minute more. Add the broth, bay leaves and tomatoes and bring to a simmer. In a bowl, mash together the peanut butter with one cup of the hot broth to thin. Add back to the pot. Add the zucchinis to the pot and increase to a “good simmer”. Turn back to low and simmer, partially covered, for 20 minutes. Stir in the juice, salt and pepper. Off heat, stir in the cilantro. Ladle into large bowls over cooked rice. Serves 6-8.

From The Associated Press

When it comes to global warming, the canary in the coal mine isn’t a canary at all. It’s a purple finch.

As the temperature across the U.S. has gotten warmer, the purple finch has been spending its winters more than 643 kilometers (400 miles) farther north than it used to — and it’s not alone.

An Audubon Society study found that more than half of 305 birds species in North America, a hodgepodge that includes robins, gulls, chickadees and owls, are spending the winter about 56 kilometers farther north than they did 40 years ago.

The purple finch was the biggest northward mover. Its wintering grounds are now more along the latitude of Milwaukee, Wis., instead of Springfield, Mo.

Bird ranges can expand and shift for many reasons, among them urban sprawl, deforestation and the supplemental diet provided by backyard feeders. Researchers say the only explanation for why so many birds over such a broad area are wintering in more northern locales is global warming.

Over the 40 years covered by the study, the average January temperature in the United States climbed by about 2.8º. That warming was most pronounced in northern states, which have already recorded an influx of more southern species and could see some northern species retreat into Canada as ranges shift.

“This is as close as science at this scale gets to proof,” said Greg Butcher, the lead scientist on the study and the director of bird conservation at the Audubon Society. “It is not what each of these individual birds did. It is the wide diversity of birds that suggests it has something to do with temperature, rather than ecology.”

Compelling evidence

The study provides compelling evidence for what many birders across the country have long recognized — that many birds are responding to climate change by shifting farther north.

Previous studies of breeding birds in Great Britain and the eastern U.S. have detected similar trends. But the Audubon study covers a broader area and includes many more species.

The study of migration habits from 1966 through 2005 found about one-fourth of the species have moved farther south. But the number moving northward — 177 species — is twice that.

The study “shows a very, very large fraction of the wintering birds are shifting” northward, said Terry Root, a biologist at Stanford University. “We don’t know for a fact that it is warming. But when one keeps finding the same thing over and over … we know it is not just a figment of our imagination.”

The research is based on data collected during the Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count in early winter. At that time of year, temperature is the primary driver for where birds go and whether they live or die. To survive the cold, birds need to eat enough during the day to have the energy needed to shiver throughout the night.

Milder winters mean the birds don’t need to expend as much energy shivering, and can get by eating less food in the day. General biology aside, the research can’t explain why particular species are moving. That’s because changes in temperature affect different birds in different ways.

‘Obviously, things have changed’

Some birds will expand their range farther north. For example, the Carolina wren — the state bird of South Carolina — has turned into a Yankee, based on Audubon’s calculations. It is now commonly seen in the winter well into New England, as well as its namesake state of South Carolina.

“Twenty years ago, I remember people driving hours to see the one Carolina wren in the state,” said Jeff Wells, an ornithologist based in southern Maine. “Now, every year I get two or three just in my area,” he said. “Obviously, things have changed.”

Other species, such as the purple finch and boreal chickadee, spend their summers in the forests of Canada and fly south into the U.S. for the winter. Climate change could be playing a role in why they are not flying as far south as they used to, and are no longer as common as they were in states like Maine, Vermont and Wisconsin.

For other species, global warming may not be a major factor in the movements measured by Audubon at all. The wild turkey was second only to the purple finch in kilometers moved north. But it’s likely due to efforts by hunters and state wildlife managers to boost its population.

In other cases, the range shifts are prompting calls to cull some bird populations.

The sandhill crane, a large gray bird that migrates to the southern U.S. for the winter, has a range that expanded about 64 kilometers (40 miles) north in the last 40 years. This small movement has likely contributed to the bird’s population explosion in Tennessee.

The sandhill population has grown to a point that state wildlife officials are considering allowing the bird to be hunted.

“You are seeing it all across the state,” said Richard Connors, president of the Tennessee Ornithological Society. “As it increases, there is going to be pressure to hunt it. The bird watchers of Tennessee don’t want that.”

Source: www.cbc.ca/

Many people believe that Florist Gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa) are gift plants that should be tossed after blooming. Did you know that gloxinia can be grown as house plants? True! Gloxinia are fabulous gift plants AND can be spectacular house plants if you give them proper care.

Gloxinia plants can grow quite large – a mature plant can have up to two dozen or more very large blooms (3″ or larger) open at one time creating a fantastic display. Gloxinia can be grown in natural light or on lighted plant stands, and come in a wide variety of colors and flower shapes: single or double flowers with plain or ruffled petals, solid colors, edged flowers, bicolors. (See gloxinia photos)

Gloxinia can be easily grown from seed which is often easier for beginners than mastering the art of propagation by tuber or leaf.

Gloxinia prefer temperatures similar to African violets and Streptocarpus. Ideal temperatures are between 70F-75F degrees during the day and 65F-70F degrees at night.

Gloxinia prefer higher humidity than African violets or Streptocarpus, and many growers find that they must supplement the humidity in their grow rooms with pebble trays or a humidifier in order to grow Gloxinia successfully year-round.

Gloxinia require very bright, indirect light in order to bloom and do not like intense, direct sunlight. On plant stands I use two fluorescent tubes and place plants 10 to 12 inches from the lights for 14 – 16 hrs. per day. Growing under lights keeps plants from getting “scraggly” or leggy from uneven light conditions and ensures that they receive enough light to bloom freely.

A good rule of thumb is to feed your Gloxinia a weak (1/4 strength) balanced fertilizer solution each time you water. Adjustments may be made depending upon your water composition and growing medium. Stop feeding when you reduce watering in preparation for dormancy (see below).

The biggest difference between growing Gloxinia and growing African violets or Streptocarpus is that Gloxinia require a period of dormancy or “winter rest” in order to bloom again. Your plant will start to wind down, usually around October or November (in the Northern Hemisphere), with blooms fading more quickly and fewer or no new buds being formed. When that happens, your plant is telling you it’s time to rest. Reduce watering to about half the usual amount and remove dead flower stems.

After three or four weeks at reduced watering gently dig up the tuber, remove any remaining leaves, trim away any dead or rotted roots, and rinse well under tepid water. Place the tuber in a small plastic container or Ziplock® baggie with about a cup of moistened perlite or vermiculite and store in a cool, dark place. The ideal rest temperature would be around 50-55F degrees – the refrigerator is much too cold! Try a protected area like an insulated attic, cool basement, or protected garage. (A maximum/minimum thermometer is ideal for checking conditions over a 24-hr. period.)

Check your tuber for new growth every 30 to 40 days. When new sprouts appear (usually within 90 days or so) it’s time to repot the tuber in fresh medium and enjoy the blooming cycle again.

Source: www.grownotes.com

November 5, 2016 thru March 5, 2017

Daily from 10:00-4:00, Sundays 10:00-5:00

In the Bolz Conservatory

Ahead of her time, Maria Sibylla Merian’s keen observational skills and work revolutionized both botany and zoology. Her artistic work changed the course of natural history illustration and left a lasting legacy of curiosity, knowledge, and beauty. See reproductions of her hand-colored engravings and some of the the tropical plants she studied in Suriname up close in the Bolz Conservatory.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

3330 Atwood Ave., Madison

608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.

Thursday, February 2, 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Ryan McVeigh, president and founder, Madison Area Herpetological Society. McVeigh will discuss many of the unique reptile and amphibian species that live in Wisconsin, including a lizard without legs, salamanders that breathes without lungs, and frogs that freeze solid during the winter.

The cost is $10. Registration is required for this event. Register @ arboretum.wisc.edu/classes/wisconsins-native-reptiles-and-amphibians/

University of Wisconsin Arboretum

1207 Seminole Highway

Madison, WI 53711

608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu/ for details.

Saturday, February 4, 10:00-4:00

Sunday, February 5, 10:00-3:00

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

In the middle of winter it is so delightful to be surrounded by the colorful and exotic fragrance of the world at a handy and comfortable location—new this year at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. It will be the 30th year for the Madison Orchid Growers Guild to host Orchid Quest.

Anything Orchids, Fox Valley, Orchids Limited, Natt’s Orchids, Hausermann Orchids, Orchid Trading Company, Vaughan James, Going to Pot, Paradigm Gardens and Klehm Growers are among the vendors. You will be able to find everything you need to take care of your new orchid plants including literature, growing media, fertilizer, orchid pots, and more. Come see this multidimensional show. Visit www.orchidguild.org for more details. Admission is free.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

3330 Atwood Ave., Madison

608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.

Friday, February 10, 2:00-8:00

Saturday, February 11, 9:00-6:00

Sunday, February 12, 10:00-4:00

Garden Expo is a midwinter oasis for people ready to venture out and dig their hands in the dirt. Now in it’s 24th year, this three-day event celebrates the latest trends in gardening and landscaping. Join other gardening enthusiasts to share ideas, gain inspiration and create something new. All proceeds support Wisconsin Public Television.

Things to do at the Garden Expo;

-Get your hands dirty with more than 150 educational seminars, demonstrations and hands-on workshops.

-Visit with hundreds of businesses, independent contractors, nonprofits and artists to share ideas and learn about the newest in gardening and landscaping equipment and services.

-Relax with a casual walk through the central garden—courtesy of The Wisconsin Nursery and Landscape Association, Madison Chapter Inc..

-Discuss innovative gardening techniques with experts from the UW-Extention/Cooperative Extension Horticulture Team.

-Purchase seeds, tools and everything else you need to be ready when the trees bud and the ground thaws.

Tickets cost $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Two and three-day passes are available for added savings. Advance tickets are available at Klein’s. Visit www.wigardenexpo.com for more information.

Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall

1919 Alliant Energy Center Way

Madison, WI 53713

608/267-3976 or www.alliantenergycenter.com

Saturday, February 18, 9:00-4:00

Dane County UW-Extension Office, 5201 Fen Oak Dr, Suite 138

You are invited to attend one of our day long ‘Beekeeping Classes’ to be held at the Dane County Extension Building. Beginners Classes will repeat on Mar 11, Apr 8 and May 6, 2017. Second Step Class is Mar 18, 2017. The fee of $50 covers coffee, handouts, free sample journals & catalogues, and props galore for you to handle. Individual, hands­-on Mentoring is also available, $20 for 2 hours in the apiary. To register, contact Jeanne Hansen at 608­/244-­5094 or jeanniealabeannie@yahoo.com.

Dane County University of Wisconsin-Extension

5201 Fen Oak Dr, Suite 138

Thursday, February 23, 6:30-8:00 p.m

Rotary Botanical Gardens, 1455 Palmer Drive, Janesville, WI

Ethan Lee, Parks & Forestry Coordinator for the City of Janesville, will talk about “Selecting a Tree for your Home Landscape.” The presentation will introduce you to a wide variety of home landscape trees, from the smallest ornamental trees to the largest shade trees. Ethan will focus on placing the right tree in the right location and what factors property owners should be considering when they are selecting or planting trees. You will also receive a list of replacements for ash trees lost to the emerald ash borer.

Admission: $3 for RBG Friends members and $5 for the general public. No registration required

Rotary Botanical Gardens

1455 Palmer Drive

Janesville, WI

608/752-3885 or www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org/

Tuesday, February 28, 6:00-8:00

Willy St. Co-op West Community Room

Instructor: Megan Cain

Fee: $27 for Owners; $37 for non-owners

Starting your own seeds allows you to jump into the gardening season early, save money, and grow unique and fun varieties. You’ll master the essentials such as what vegetables should be grown from seed and when, why you can’t use a window to start seeds, how to gather the right supplies and care for your seedlings, and what colorful varieties are available to grow this year. Participants will start some seeds to take home.

Payment is required at registration; please register by stopping at the Willy West Customer Service desk or by calling (608) 284-7800.

Willy Street Co-op West

6825 University Ave.
Middleton, WI 53562

Tuesdays, February 28 thru April 25, 6:30-9:00

Dane County UW-Extension Office, 5201 Fen Oak Dr, Suite 138

The 2017 Green Thumb Gardening Series will give you the practical knowledge to keep your home garden thriving! University of Wisconsin Extension educators, specialists, and local horticulture experts will provide in depth and accessible information for everyone from the novice to the experienced gardener.

February 28 – Composting & Soil Composition

Soil is where it all begins in the garden! Learn to improve your soil through a variety of home composting techniques including hot composting and vermicomposting (worms!). This class covers important information about soil types, nutrients, pH, organic matter, and fertilizers. Taught by Joe Muellenberg & Lisa Johnson, Dane County UW-Extension Horticulture Program.

March 7 – Native Plants for Gardens & Pollinators

Frank Hassler of Good Oak Ecological Services will discuss native prairie plants for gardens and some of the best plants to choose to attract butterflies and pollinator insects.

March 14 – Landscape Design

Ben Futa, Director at UW-Madison Allen Centennial Garden, will cover fundamentals and elements of landscape design for your annual or perennial home garden.

March 21 – Vegetable Garden Planning & Techniques

Claire Strader, Small-Scale and Organic Produce Educator at Dane County UW-Extension, will cover organic techniques for growing vegetables, with an emphasis on practical strategies for getting a good harvest.

March 28 – Vegetable Families, Pests & Diseases

Learn about common vegetable families, best growing practices, and how to prevent common pests and diseases. Taught by Joe Muellenberg & Lisa Johnson, Dane County UW-Extension Horticulture Program.

April 4 – Wisconsin Wildlife in the Home Garden

David Drake, UW-Madison Wildlife Ecologist, will discuss desirable and non-desirable wildlife in the garden. He will concentrate on pest exclusion and control strategies.

April 6 – Organic Landscape Maintenance (NEW!)

Many people are interested in reducing or eliminating pesticides and inorganic fertilizers in the landscape because of concerns about water quality and potential threats to humans, pets, bees, birds and other wildlife. Join Becky Kielstrup, General Manager and Horticulturalist at Avant Gardening & Landscaping, to learn about organic lawn care, sustainable planting methods, integrated pest management and simple steps and tips on how to begin!

April 11 – Growing Berries (NEW!)

Raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and currants oh my! Learn which varieties are best suited for Wisconsin and how to properly care for them for a delicious harvest year after year. Taught by Lisa Johnson, Dane County UW-Extension Horticulture Program.

April 25 – Annuals & Perennials

Learn general techniques for selecting, planting, and caring for annuals and perennials as well as covering some new and recommended varieties. Taught by Lisa Johnson, Dane County UW-Extension Horticulture Program.

Sign up for individual classes at $25.00 each OR the complete class series for $150.00 (Includes a set of handout materials to accompany each class).

To register, please visit dane.uwex.edu/horticulture/greenthumbclasses

Dane County University of Wisconsin-Extension

5201 Fen Oak Dr, Suite 138

Saturdays, January 7 thru April 7, 8:00-noon

Madison Senior Center

330 W. Mifflin

For details visit www.dcfm.org

FEBRUARY IN THE GARDEN—A checklist of things to do this month.

___Check perennials for heaving during warm spells. Remulch as needed.

___Continue bringing out your cooled forced bulbs for indoor enjoyment.

___Inspect stored summer bulbs like dahlias, cannas and glads for rotting.

___Check for and treat for pests on plants brought in from the garden.

___Keep birdfeeders full. Clean periodically with soap and water.

___Repair and clean out birdhouses. Early arrivals will be here soon!

___Inventory last year’s leftover seeds before ordering or buying new ones.

___Order seeds and plants. Some of our very favorite seed and plant sources include:

___Visit Klein’s—it’s green, it’s warm, it’s colorful—it’s always spring.

Some of our very favorite seed and plant sources include:

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds @ www.rareseeds.com or 417/924-8887

Burpee @ www.burpee.com or 800/888-1447

Harris Seeds @ www.harrisseeds.com or 800/514-4441

Johnny’s Select Seeds @ www.johnnyseeds.com or 207/861-3901

Jung’s Seeds @ www.jungseed.com or 800/247-5864

Park’s Seeds @ www.parkseed.com or 800/845-3369

Pinetree @ www.superseeds.com or 207/926-3400

Seeds of Change @ www.seedsofchange.com or 888/762-7333

Seed Savers @ www.seedsavers.org or 563/382-5990

Select Seeds @ www.selectseeds.com or 800/684-0395

Territorial Seeds @ www.territorialseed.com or 888/657-3131

Thompson & Morgan @ www.thompson-morgan.com or 800/274-7333

Brent & Becky’s Bulbs @ www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com or 877/661-2852

Colorblends @ www.colorblends.com or 888/847-8637

John Scheeper’s @ www.johnscheepers.com or 860/567-0838

McClure & Zimmerman @ www.mzbulb.com or 800/883-6998

High Country Gardens @ www.highcountrygardens.com or 800/925-9387

Logee’s Greenhouses @ www.logees.com or 888/330-8038

Plant Delights Nursery @ www.plantdelights.com or 912/772-4794

Roots and Rhizomes @ www.rootsrhizomes.com or 800/374-5035

Wayside Gardens @ www.waysidegardens.com or 800/213-0379

White Flower Farm @ www.whiteflowerfarm.com or 800/503-9624

Note: To receive every possible seed, plant or garden supply catalog imaginable, check out Cyndi’s Catalog of Garden Catalogs @ www.gardenlist.com. Most catalogs are free and make for great winter reading!

BEHIND THE SCENES AT KLEIN’S—This is a sneak peek of what is going on each month behind the scenes in our greenhouses. Many people are unaware that our facility operates year round or that we have 10 more greenhouses on the property in addition to the 6 open for retail. At any given moment we already have a jump on the upcoming season–be it poinsettias in July, geraniums in December or fall mums in May.

—We’re readying ourselves for two of our year’s biggest events–Garden Expo and Valentine’s Day. For Garden Expo, we’ve readied our displays and the plants we’re selling are bursting with color. For Valentine’s Day, we’re awaiting the onslaught by prepping the thousands of additional cut flowers, unpacking all the beautiful vases and containers, ordering hundreds of blooming plants and securing additional delivery vehicles and staff.

—Spring plants begin arriving enforce! After Valentine’s Day the first spring bedding annuals arrive. Pansies, violas and dianthus plugs are popped into cell packs so they’re ready for early April sales.

—We’re planting up our thousands of mixed annuals hanging baskets. The geranium hanging baskets planted in January are filling out and almost ready for their first pinching and shaping.

—We reopen greenhouses in our back range as needed. They’ve been shut down to save on heat and eliminate pest problems.

—The deadline approaches for Easter orders. Dozens of area churches order lilies, tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, mums, hydrangeas and azaleas for Easter delivery.

—We take advantage of the warm and sunny rooms in our front range (the retail area) to do any touch up painting or construction to ready ourselves for the spring season.

—Spring product begins arriving for unpacking and pricing–the pots, the tools, the sundries. We need to have everything priced and ready to go by April 1.

—We continue to access our needs for spring staffing and try to have the new people in place and trained by March 1. March and April are the busiest months behind the scenes in the greenhouse and we rely on a dedicated, hardworking team to have everything ready for the customer come May 1 and the spring onslaught.

Have our monthly newsletter e-mailed to you automatically by signing up on the right side of our home page. We’ll offer monthly tips, greenhouse news and tidbits, specials and recipes. . .everything you need to know from your favorite Madison greenhouse. And tell your friends. It’s easy to do.

Ask us your gardening questions by e-mailing us at madgardener@kleinsfloral.com. Klein’s in-house Mad Gardener will e-mail you with an answer as promptly as we can. The link is posted on our home page and in all newsletters.

We can only answer those questions pertaining to gardening in Southern Wisconsin and we reserve the right to leave correspondence unanswered at our discretion. Please allow 2-3 days for a response.

Follow Klein’s on Facebook where we post updates and photos on a regular basis.

Join Klein’s on Twitter where we post company updates and photos on a regular basis.

We offer a 10% Off Senior Citizen Discount every Tuesday to those 62 and above. This discount is not in addition to other discounts or sales. Please mention that you are a senior before we ring up your purchases. Does not apply to wire out orders or services, i.e. delivery, potting, etc.

Plastic flower pots and garden edging can now be recycled as part of the City of Madison’s rigid plastic program. Flowerpots and edging must be free of dirt and can be placed in your green recycling bin. For more information call 267-2626 or visit www.cityofmadison.com/streets/recycling/plastic.cfm

There’s no easier way to give gorgeous blooming plants or fresh flower arrangements, month after month. Each month a seasonal blooming plant or fresh arrangement will arrive on yours or a loved one’s doorstep. You choose the start date and we’ll make your special delivery the very same day each month.

For just $75, $150 or $300, respectively, we’ll send 3 month’s, 6 month’s or a year’s worth of seasonal blooming plants–perhaps a bulb garden or azalea in the spring, one of our famous large geraniums or a tropical hibiscus in the summer, a chrysanthemum or Thanksgiving cactus in the fall or one of our homegrown poinsettias or cyclamen for the holidays and winter months. Selection of the blooming plant will be based on availability.

And for just $90, $175 or $350, respectively, receive one of Klein’s lovely fresh floral arrangements. All arrangements will be seasonal and will contain only the freshest flowers. All arrangements are Designer’s Choice, but are sure to satisfy the most discerning lover of fresh flowers.

Prices include delivery within our delivery area. Enclosure cards will accompany all gift deliveries if desired. For delivery details visit the “Permanent Features” section of our newsletter below. If your chosen delivery date happens to fall on a Sunday or holiday, we will deliver it on the next available delivery day. All regular delivery conditions apply.

Join our Blooming Plant or Fresh Flower Club by calling Klein’s at 608/244-5661 or 888/244-5661 or by stopping in. We request that payment be made in full before the first delivery and prices do not include sales tax.

Klein’s Floral and Greenhouses delivers daily, except Sundays, throughout all of Madison and much of Dane County including: Cottage Grove, DeForest, Fitchburg, Maple Bluff, Marshall, McFarland, Middleton, Monona, Oregon, Shorewood Hills, Sun Prairie, Verona, Waunakee and Windsor. We do not deliver to Cambridge, Columbus, Deerfield or Stoughton.

Current delivery rate on 1-4 items is $7.95 for Madison, Maple Bluff, Monona and Shorewood Hills; $8.95 for Cottage Grove, DeForest, Fitchburg, McFarland, Sun Prairie, Waunakee and Windsor; and $9.95 for Marshall, Middleton, Oregon and Verona. An additional $3.00 will be added for deliveries of 4-10 items and $5.00 added for deliveries of more than 10 items. For deliveries requiring more than one trip, a separate delivery charge will be added for each trip.

A minimum order of $25.00 is required for delivery.

We not only deliver our fabulous fresh flowers, but also houseplants, bedding plants and hardgoods. There may be an extra charge for very large or bulky items.

Delivery to the Madison hospitals is $5.95. Deliveries to the four Madison hospitals are made during the early afternoon. Items are delivered to the hospital’s volunteer rooms and not directly to the patients’ rooms per hospital rules.

There is no delivery charge for funerals in the city of Madison or Monona, although normal rates apply for morning funeral deliveries to Madison’s west side (west of Park St.). Our normal rates also apply for funeral deliveries in the surrounding communities at all times. Although we don’t deliver on Sundays, we will deliver funeral items on Sundays at the regular delivery rate.

Morning delivery is guaranteed to the following Madison zip codes, but only if requested: 53703, 53704, 53714, 53716, 53718 and Cottage Grove, DeForest, Maple Bluff, Marshall, McFarland, Monona, Sun Prairie, Waunakee and Windsor.

We begin our delivery day at 8:00 a.m. and end at approximately 3:00 p.m. We do not usually deliver after 4:00 unless specific exceptions are made with our drivers.

Except for holidays, the following west-side zip codes and communities are delivered only during the afternoon: 53705, 53706, 53711, 53713, 53717, 53719, 53726, Fitchburg, Middleton, Oregon, Shorewood Hills and Verona.

During holidays (Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, etc.) we are able to make morning deliveries to all of the above areas. We are not able to take closely timed deliveries on any holiday due to the sheer volume of such requests.

It’s best to give us a range of time and we’ll try our absolute hardest. Orders for same day delivery must be placed by 12:30 p.m. or by 2:30 p.m. for Madison zip codes 53704 and 53714.

DEPARTMENT HEADS: Please refer all questions, concerns or feedback in the following departments to their appropriate supervisor.

Phone: 608/244-5661 or 888/244-5661

Horticulturalist & General Manager–Jamie VandenWymelenberg jamie@kleinsfloral.com

Accounts, Billing and Purchasing—Kathryn Derauf kathryn@kleinsfloral.com

Delivery Supervisor & Newsletter Coordinator—Rick Halbach rick@kleinsfloral.com

Owner, Floral Designer & Purchasing—Sue Klein sue@kleinsfloral.com

University of Wisconsin Extension

1 Fen Oak Ct. #138

Madison, WI 53718

Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic

Dept. of Plant Pathology

1630 Linden Dr.

Madison, WI 53706

Insect Diagnostic Lab

240 Russell Labs

1630 Linden Dr.

Madison, WI 53706

U.W. Soil and Plant Analysis Lab

8452 Mineral Point Rd.

Verona, WI 53593

American Horticultural Society

Garden Catalogs (an extensive list with links)

also http://www.mailordergardening.com/

Invasive Species

Community Groundworks

3601 Memorial Dr., Ste. 4

Madison, WI 53704

Madison Area Master Gardeners (MAMGA)

Wisconsin Master Gardeners Program

Department of Horticulture

1575 Linden Drive

University of Wisconsin – Madison

Madison, WI 53706

The Wisconsin Gardener

Allen Centennial Gardens

620 Babcock Dr.

Madison, WI 53706

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

3330 Atwood Ave.

Madison, WI 53704

Rotary Gardens

1455 Palmer Dr.

Janesville, WI 53545

University of WI Arboretum

1207 Seminole Hwy.

Madison, WI 53711

University of Wisconsin-West Madison

Agricultural Research Center

8502 Mineral Point Rd.

Verona, WI 53593

Children may find the bright colors and different textures of plants irresistible, but some plants can be poisonous if touched or eaten. If you’re in doubt about whether or not a plant is poisonous, don’t keep it in your home. The risk is not worth it. The following list is not comprehensive, so be sure to seek out safety information on the plants in your home to be safe.

•Bird of paradise

•Bull nettle

•Castor bean

•Chinaberry tree

•Crocus

•Daffodil

•Deadly nightshade

•Dieffenbachia (dumb cane)

•Foxglove

•Glory lily

•Hemlock

•Holly berry

•Indian tobacco

•Iris

•Jimsonweed

•Lantana

•Larkspur

•Lily of the valley

•Marijuana

•Mescal bean

•Mexicantes

•Mistletoe

•Morning glory

•Mountain laurel

•Night-blooming jasmine

•Nutmeg

•Oleander

•Philodendron

•Poison ivy

•Poison sumac

•Pokeweed

•Poppy

•Potato

•Privet

•Rhododendron

•Rhubarb

•Water hemlock

•Wisteria

Below is a list of some of the common plants which may produce a toxic reaction in animals. This list is intended only as a guide to plants which are generally identified as having the capability for producing a toxic reaction. Source: The National Humane Society website @ http://www.humanesociety.org/

•Aconite

•Apple

•Arrowgrasses

•Autumn Crocus

•Azaleas

•Baneberry

•Bird-of-Paradise

•Black locust

•Bloodroot

•Box

•Buckeye

•Buttercup

•Caladium

•Carolina jessamine

•Castor bean

•Chinaberry tree

•Chockcherries

•Christmas berry

•Christmas Rose

•Common privet

•Corn cockle

•Cowbane

•Cow cockle

•Cowsliprb

•Daffodil

•Daphne

•Day lily

•Delphinium (Larkspur)

•Dumbcane

•Dutchman’s breeches

•Easter lily

•Elderberry

•Elephant’s ear

•English Ivy

•European Bittersweet

•Field peppergrass

•Foxglove

•Holly

•Horsechestnut

•Horse nettle

•Hyacinth

•Iris

•Jack-in-the-pulpit

•Jerusalem Cherry

•Jimsonweed

•Lantana

•Larkspur

•Laurels

•Lily of the valley

•Lupines

•Mayapple

•Milk vetch

•Mistletoe

•Monkshood

•Morning glory

•Mustards

•Narcissus

•Nicotiana

•Nightshade

•Oaks

•Oleander

•Philodendrons

•Pokeweed

•Poinsettia

•Poison hemlock

•Potato

•Rhododendron

•Rhubarb

•Rosary pea

•Sago palm

•Skunk cabbage

•Smartweeds

•Snow-on-the-mountain

•Sorghum

•Star of Bethlehem

•Wild black cherry

•Wild radish

•Wisteria

•Yellow jessamine

•Yew