‘THE SAGE’-Klein’s Online Newsletter—JUNE 2017
Klein’s Floral & Greenhouses
3758 E. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
608/244-5661 or info@kleinsfloral.com
THIS MONTH’S HIGHLIGHTS:
You’re Invited to a ‘Ladies’ Night Out’ at Klein’s
Our ‘Mad Gardener’ Is Ready for Your Questions
Klein’s 9th Annual Most Beautiful Garden Contest
Florists Pick Their Top 10 For Fragrant Bouquets
Impatiens Alternatives and Downy Mildew
Our First Endangered Bumblebee Emerges from Slumber
Klein’s Favorite Seed, Bulb & Plant Sources
You Asked the Mad Gardener About Moving Overwintered Plants Outdoors
Plant of the Month: Echinacea
Our Favorite Rhubarb Recipes
Product Spotlight: EZ Grow™ Plant Cage
Notes from Rick’s Garden Journal—From May 2017
—An Alien Invasion
—Tips for Keeping Pots Adequately Moist
—Plants & Black Walnuts
June in the Garden: A Planner
Gardening Events Around Town
Review Klein’s @: Yelp, Google Reviews or Facebook Reviews
Join Us on Twitter
Follow Us on Facebook
Join Klein’s Blooming Plant or Fresh Flower Club
Delivery Information
Related Resources and Websites
Plants Harmful to Kids and Pets
KLEIN’S 9TH ANNUAL MOST BEAUTIFUL GARDEN CONTEST
Think you have the Most Beautiful Garden? Perhaps all of that hard work and creativity can literally pay off by entering our Most Beautiful Garden Contest. We invite you to submit photographs along with our entry form to Klein’s via e-mail or snail mail by September 1. Winners are selected by our staff and will be announced on our website in early September. Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places include gift cards for a Klein’s shopping spree. We have a separate category for container gardens.
They say pictures say a thousand words and sometimes the most simple of designs says more than the most elaborate. Please visit our home page in the following weeks at www.kleinsfloral.com for details and entry information.
YOU’RE INVITED TO A LADIES’ NIGHT OUT AT KLEIN’S
On Wednesday, June 14 we will be hosting “Ladies’ Night Out” from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Come out for a fun-filled night of shopping, refreshments, door prizes and more!
We will have door prizes from Dramm, Firepot, Dr Earth, Purple Cow Organics, The Princeton Club, a Patio Container Garden from Klein’s and the Grand Prize will be a “Bouquet-a- Month” for a year! Receive a raffle ticket for attending and for every $xx purchase. Need not to be present to win.
The first 100 people to pre-register will receive a bag with two extra door tickets, Jack’s sample packets, Dr. Earth booklet, free two week Princeton Club membership, among other items.
Representatives from Purple Cow Organics, Jack’s Fertilizers and Dr. Earth will be here to answer questions,
Receive double rewards points on all purchases that evening.
FOR NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS OR GARDEN TOURS that you would like posted on our web site or in our monthly newsletters, please contact Rick at (608) 244-5661 or rick@kleinsfloral.com or Sue at sue@kleinsfloral.com. Please include all details, i.e. dates, locations, prices, brief description, etc. Our readership is ever-growing so this is a great opportunity for free advertising. Events must be garden related and must take place in the immediate Madison vicinity.
THE MAD GARDENER
“Madison’s Firsthand Source for Expert Gardening Advice”
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.
JUNE STORE HOURS:
Through June 18:
Monday thru Friday : 8:00-8:00 (Open Tuesdays at 7:00)
Saturday: 8:00-6:00
Sunday: 9:00-5:00
After Father’s Day, June 18:
Monday thru Friday : 8:00-6:00
Saturday: 9:00-5:00
Sunday: 10:00-4:00
Open Tuesday, July 4: 10:00-4:00
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
Throughout June, visit Klein’s and check out our specials on annuals, vegetables, herbs, hanging baskets and containers. Specials and selection change weekly so give us a call for the most up-to-date information at (608) 244-5661 or toll free at 888-244-5661 or on our home page @ www.kleinsfloral.com. We pride ourselves in having the best cared for plants in even the hottest weather and throughout the month we’ll continue to offer a full selection of annuals and perennials.
June 9–Full Moon
June 14–Flag Day
June 18–Father’s Day
June 21–First Day of Summer
‘THE FLOWER SHOPPE’:
Fragrance can be an important factor when choosing a floral arrangement for a loved one or a special event. In a survey, florists were asked to choose their very favorite fragrant flower choices for fresh bouquets. Here are their top ten choices in order:
- Stock
Stocks have single or double flowers with a 1-inch diameter and a pleasing clove-like scent. The romantic beauty of this flower brings texture to garden designs, and its sweet, spicy fragrance is an added attraction.
Colors range from white, cream, yellow, peach, lavender, pink, purple and burgundy.
Vase life is five to eight days.
- Freesia
Freesias are strongly scented so they make a nice addition to any area. They have five to 10 single or double flowers. Stems are usually 10 to 18 inches long with little or no foliage. The bell-shaped freesia blooms up to seven days and comes in white, golden yellow, orange, red, pink, mauve, lavender, purple and bicolors.
- Lilacs
Lilacs are shrubs and small trees prized for their attractive, fragrant flowers that appear in white, pink or purplish clusters in spring. Arrangements of cut lilac flowers can brighten a room and fill a house with their delightful scent
The best time to cut lilac blossoms is early in the morning when they’re fully hydrated. Cut the stems with sharp, clean pruning shears, then immediately plunge the cut stems into a bucket of water. Indoors, get a vase ready for the flowers.
- Gardenias
Waxy and super-fragrant gardenia blossoms are delightful when floated singly as a centerpiece in a small dish or bubble bowl alongside votive candles. Gardenia blossoms are commonly used in handheld wedding bouquets or tucked into the bride’s hair.
- Select Roses
Not all roses grown for bouquets add fragrance to the arrangement. Among the most fragrant varieties are: Mister Lincoln, Julia Child, Honey Perfume, Perfume Delight, Fragrant Cloud, Double Delight and Sunsprite. Locally grown garden roses that are picked at their peak are among the most fragrant, rather than those shipped in from abroad.
- Oriental Lilies
“Casablanca” is one of the most popular Oriental hybrids, with 10-inch-wide fragrant white flowers. “Stargazer” is the most in demand as a cut flower, as well as a garden subject, with vivid darker pink speckles against a rosy background and a beautiful fragrance.
- Boronia
Bright pink boronia is a fun pink filler flower that will fill up gaps in table centerpieces, wedding bouquets and flower arrangements. Boronia features tiny bell shaped blooms that run the length of long branchy stems. It is a bright flower and has a strong scent.
- Jasmine
Jasmine flowers are harvested when their fragrance is at its peak just before dawn. The flowers must be processed immediately before their freshness and fragrances fade away. The jasmine must also be placed in special baskets to prevent the flowers from bruising, and unbalancing the flower’s natural bouquet.
- Peonies
Lovely and romantic, fresh cut peony flowers are showy and fragrant with large heads and a lavish petal count. Showy and fragrant, our peonies are offered in a variety of colors including white, cream, blush, pinks and reds.
- Hyacinths
Ideal for adding fragrance, color and texture, hyacinth could serve as accent or filler flowers. Hyacinth have many small, star-shaped blooms clustered together at the top of the stem.
YOU ASKED THE MAD GARDENER . . .
I overwintered three pepper plants in pots under grow lights this winter. They are all doing well and have been moved from under the lights in the cool basement to the main level of our home in a sunny spot with southern exposure. I know that I need to gradually harden them off before moving them outside. Can you tell me the best way to harden off an established potted plant that’s been overwintered inside? Jen
Hi Jen,
Personally, I move all of my basement plants (and I have TONS!) directly outside once the nights look consistently in the mid-40’s or above. I first move them all (no matter how tender) to a relatively shady spot along the north and east sides of my house and garage, under trees or near the doors inside my garage. I’ll leave them there about a week…keeping an eye on the weather, of course. After about a week I move them directly to their normal light location. The hardening off process need not be gradual so long as they aren’t placed in direct sun immediately. A more gradual hardening off is more important when dealing with tender seedlings rather than mature plants.
As for peppers, they can go directly into full sun after that week has passed. Regardless, don’t panic if your peppers lose leaves…lots of them. The foliage formed indoors may drop as the plants acclimate to their outdoor location. New foliage and growth will form quickly as the weather warms and within a few weeks your plants will be beautiful and lush with new growth.
If we have nights where the temps drop to near 40º, move your plants into your garage for less leaf drop. Flowering and pepper production won’t begin until nighttime temps are consistently in the 50’s.
Thanks for your question,
Klein’s Mad Gardener
madgardener@kleinsfloral.com
DID YOU KNOW. . .
. . . that since the appearance of impatiens downy mildew around the country, plant breeders have been devoting a lot of their resources . . .
…developing, not only disease resistant walleriana impatiens (the old-fashioned shade impatiens), but also shade tolerant New Guinea impatiens and interspecific impatiens (the combination of one or more species). Given the impact of the disease on Madison area gardens last summer, Klein’s would like to introduce you to available alternatives. Rather than trying to ‘cure’ an incurable problem, we’re hoping our customers are open to looking at shade gardening in a whole new light.
What is Impatiens Downy Mildew?
Impatiens downy mildew is a disease that has become a serious threat wherever impatiens are grown. The disease has recently become a serious issue in the United States, including Wisconsin. Impatiens downy mildew has been so destructive in many areas that it has made impatiens unusable as a garden ornamental. The disease affects garden impatiens and balsam (Impatiens walleriana and I. balsamina), as well as native jewelweeds (I. pallida and I. capensis). (For detailed information about impatiens downy mildew, visit hort.uwex.edu/articles/impatiens-downy-mildew.)
It is impractical for the home gardener to attempt treating the disease once it infects a garden since the chemicals needed for effective treatment need to be applied frequently AND by a certified applicator—and with no guaranteed results.
Alternative Plant Choices to Impatiens
Though walleriana impatiens have long been the tried-and-true go-to for maximum color in the shade garden, there are many alternatives available. Most garden experts are encouraging gardeners to experiment with, not only old favorites (wax begonias, lobelia, torenia, browallia, hypoestes and coleus, etc.), but try a few more recent introductions that are readily available at nearly all garden centers. Rex begonias, for example, add bold and beautiful leaf patterns in a wide range of colors. Tuberous begonias are no longer the temperamental begonia of our grandparents’ day and offer a bright burst of yellow, orange and red into the shade garden. Upright fuchsias bring height (and hummingbirds) to the garden. And the list of possible foliage plants is nearly endless. Choose from: caladium, Joseph’s coat (alternanthera), bloodleaf (iresine), oxalis, perilla, wandering jew, purple heart (setcresea) and plectranthus—all of which are available at Klein’s.
Colorful perennials (both in the ground and added to containers) are another option. Coral bell foliage rivals all others for its wide range of color and leaf pattern. Lamium, moneywort and hostas are all possible options.
New Impatiens Varieties
Alas, there is hope for the impatiens lover. Fortunately, New Guinea-type impatiens so far seem unaffected by downy mildew. Long known as the ‘sun impatiens’, New Guineas are now being bred for increased shade tolerance with far better flowering in the shade than the species.
Divine New Guinea Impatiens from Ball (and available at Klein’s jumbo 6-packs) are a rather new seed-grown New Guinea impatiens. Because they are seed-grown, they are more cost effective for the home gardener and are available in jumbo cell-packs; versus the normally far more expensive traditional New Guinea impatiens sold in individual pots. They perform similar to traditional New Guinea impatiens but perhaps with slightly less vigor. They grow 10 to 14 inches tall and can spread 12 to 14 inches and are available in a wide color range.
Bounce Impatiens from Selecta (and also available at Klein’s and only in hanging baskets and flower pouches) provides gardeners with shade garden confidence. Bounce looks like an Impatiens walleriana in habit, flower form and count, but is completely downy mildew resistant (because its interspecific), which means this impatiens will last from spring all the way through fall. There is wide range of colors available and Bounce Pink Flame is a 2015 AAS award winner.
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.
EZ GROW™ Plant Cage
The easy-to-install, sturdy plant support system that folds up flat for easy storage. Get Growing!
EZ to Install
Unlike many conventional tomato cages, the EZ GROW™ weighs just 5 lbs. and folds flat so it can be more easily carried to the garden or container. Installation then takes place in seconds. Unfold it, and push the legs into the soil to firmly secure the cage around the plant. You’re done!
EZ to Grow
EZ GROW’s durable, heavy-duty galvanized steel construction, with five rings for plant support, is the perfect plant support system. Its 17.5 in. diameter and 48 in. height provides plenty of room for growth as the season progresses – and then can be easily removed, stored and re-used year after year.
EZ to Store
EZ GROW’s unique hinged construction makes it easy to fold the system flat for transportation and storage between uses. The system collapses with minimal effort; its light weight and flat profile make it easy to hang on a wall hook or pegboard in the garage or storage shed, or laid flat and out of the way.
Compared to conventional tomato cages, nothing could be easier – so get growing!
NOTES FROM MY GARDEN JOURNAL–Tips and Observations from My Own Garden by Rick Halbach
ENTRY: MAY 5, 2017 (An Alien Invasion)
For the first time this spring a new alien to the Madison area (seen here for the first time in 2010) has invaded our house. Over the past month I’ve captured at least a dozen of the recently arrived brown marmorated stink bugs in our house as they awaken from their winter sleep. Though harmless (but smelly) in the house, there has been a fear of the potential for extensive crop damage in that it was thought these stink bugs had no natural predators in North America (having been imported from eastern Asia).
Can Biological Control Take A Bite Out Of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug?
By PJ Liesch, UW-Extension
Nature is full of checks and balances. Of the roughly 1 million species of insects known to science, there’s an amazing intricacy to the food web. In natural settings, insect pests like the brown marmorated stink bug and their diverse predators, parasites and pathogens (all describable as “natural enemies”) adapt over time, establishing a general balance and coexistence. In most cases, these natural enemies engage in a lot of ongoing, behind-the-scenes interactions that help keep pest populations in check.
Complications arise whenever a new species is added to a food web. When an invasive pest is moved outside its native range and placed into a completely new environment, it almost always leaves behind the natural enemies. “Local” natural enemies may be able keep an invasive pest in check, although achieving a new balance can take some time. But in other cases, local natural enemies have minimal impacts on an invasive pest and chaos ensues. It’s for this reason that invasive species can be so problematic.
When an invasive species becomes established, the idea of “classical” biological pest control is to investigate an invasive pest’s native range to find any natural enemies that normally keep it in check. While biological control sounds great in textbooks, can it actually work out in the real world? The answer: It all depends on the situation.
To put this uncertainty into perspective, a few examples shed light on the history of biological control.
Shortly after the U.S. Civil War, an unusual insect known as the cottony cushion scale was accidentally introduced to California from Australia, resulting in significant damage to the citrus industry. Damage by this invasive pest was so bad that in some cases growers cut down citrus trees and burned them in an attempt to stop the insect. Luckily, an observant entomologist noticed that an Australian lady beetle known as the vedalia beetle loved to feed on the cottony cushion scale. By the late 1800s the vedalia beetle had been imported to the United States and quickly turned the tide against the destructive cottony cushion scale.
However, biological control isn’t always so effective or prompt. In some cases years, if not decades can pass, before any results are noticed.
Consider the example of the gypsy moth. The fungus Entomophaga maimaiga is a disease affecting the gypsy moth in Asia. Scientists realized this fungus may help control gypsy moth outbreaks in the U.S. and introduced it to New England in the early 1900s. Fingers were crossed and the scientists waited for the results to come in. Much to their dismay, the expected results didn’t materialize and the research program was abandoned. Nearly 80 years later, everyone was surprised when the fungus popped up and killed large numbers of gypsy moth caterpillars. Sometimes it simply takes time for things to click and for a new balance to be achieved.
With the brown marmorated stink bug emerging in earnest in Wisconsin, could biological control be a solution? Early studies have offered a grim outlook and suggested that North American natural enemies are not capable of controlling these stink bugs. However, more recent research has found that some native natural enemies, such as katydids, crickets and ground beetles, can readily consume the eggs of the brown marmorated stink bug. Therefore, these species may be having a larger impact on the invasive stink bug than originally thought.
Other species are being studied. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is screening miniature, stingless, egg-parasitizing wasps for their biological control potential. Ironically, while this process has been in the works, one of the candidate parasitic wasp species (Trissolcus japonicus) has made its way to the U.S.
The source of these wasps is unknown, and it’s presumed that their introduction was accidental. Will our native natural enemies and/or these parasitic wasps ultimately be able to keep the brown marmorated stink bug in check? It’s certainly a possibility, although only time will tell for sure. In the meantime, brace yourself for “the bug.”
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ENTRY: MAY 16, 2017 (Tips for Keeping Pots Adequately Moist)
Given the fact we had a high of 85º today, I’m reminded that summer is just around the corner and along with it comes the near daily watering of my hundreds of potted plants.
In going through some old emails I came across this customer question from 2008 and I felt it appropriate to share it now before we move into hotter weather ahead.
“I watered my petunias baskets before I went to work this morning and they were wilted by the time I got home . Am I doing something wrong? Do I really need to water twice a day?”
“In short, if the weather is warm and sunny, your baskets are located in full sun (like they should be) and your plants are healthy and vigorous, you may need to water containers and hanging baskets twice a day. This is especially true if it is windy or if your containers have been allowed to dry out so much that water is no longer penetrating the soil, but simply running through the pots. Watering is one of the joys and necessities of gardening. Perhaps it’s the time to take a moment and enjoy the sights and scents of gardening.
There are a few things you can do to make the task easier:
–Keep water close at hand. If it’s impractical to keep a hose close by, keep a filled watering can near the plants that dry out fastest.
–Keep your plants accessible. If you have plants that dry out often, place them where they can be easily checked and watered, rather than out of reach.
–Use a saucer during the hottest of weather. As a rule of thumb, plants should not sit in a pool of water. The exception is during hot, windy weather when many plants are happy to have the extra water at hand. Make sure your hanging baskets have a large, built in reservoir. Moss baskets dry out exceptionally fast.
–Use the proper potting soil. Use a soil with an adequate amount of peat moss. Cheap potting soils often times turn to brick when allowed to dry out. Add water retentive granules if desired to your potting mixes.
–Use a drip system with a timer. This is usually overkill in Wisconsin with our frequent summer downpours. But during dry spells or while on vacation, they can be a godsend.
–Learn to enjoy this extra time with your plants!!
Keep in mind that you need to check that your plants are dry to the touch before watering too often. Many plants simply wilt on sunny afternoons whether they need to be watered or not. They will usually perk up once the sun lowers in the sky.”
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ENTRY: MAY 25, 2017 (Plants & Black Walnuts)
Though quite messy at least three times a year (the catkins falling now, the nuts in late summer and the twiggy leaf parts in the fall), I can’t imagine my yard without the large black walnut tree at the back of the property. Its canopy of shade shields the screenhouse from intense summer sun and the tree’s movement in the wind is absolutely mesmerizing. Gardening with a black walnut in the yard can be a bit challenging. It took a bit of research and experience to learn which plants can survive within a black walnut’s root and drip line.
Many gardeners, especially beginners, are unaware that many of our favorite garden plants cannot and should not be grown near our native black walnut (Juglans nigra) due to the release of juglone into the soil surrounding the tree. Juglone is a natural chemical produced by the black walnut (and some related trees) to cut back on competition from other plants. Plants affected by the chemical usually wilt, yellow and eventually die once they come in contact with juglone. The most obvious and well-known family of plants affected by juglone toxicity are those belonging to the Nightshade Family, including: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, potatoes, petunias, nicotiana, datura, brugmansia, among others. Plants from this family are affected from the onset. The chemical is not just released from the roots of the tree, but occurs in the leaves and nuts as well. The area most affected by juglone is confined to the drip line of the canopy, but it can extend far beyond that boundary. Gardeners often misdiagnose a problem they’re having with their plants when, in fact, a neighbor’s tree could be the culprit.
One of the most asked questions at Klein’s is to suggest plants that are tolerant to the effects of black walnut toxicity. The UW Extension has an extensive list of juglone tolerant plants on its website at http://hort.uwex.edu/articles/black-walnut-toxicity/ (as well as those most affected by juglone toxicity).
KLEIN’S RECIPES OF THE MONTH—These are a selection of relatively simple recipes chosen by our staff. New recipes appear monthly. Enjoy!!
Late May and early June mark the arrival of rhubarb to the garden, farmers’ markets and CSA shares. Rhubarb seems to be one of those love/hate tastes. Even among rhubarb lovers, there’s disagreement over whether the red or green varieties taste better. Though the tart young stalks can be eaten raw, rhubarb is usually cooked in or later added cooked to sauces and desserts.
Rhubarb is a very hardy perennial here in southern Wisconsin. Clumps continue to grow larger as the years pass, but are most productive if, like all perennials, the clump is divided every few years. Rhubarb is a close relative of common dock. It probably originated in China thousands of years ago before making its way to Europe. Both potted and bareroot rhubarb are available at Klein’s in the springtime.
RHUBARB PILAF–Yet another recipe from the indispensable From SAsparagus to Zucchini: A Guide to Farm-Fresh, Seasonal Produce. Our employee reviews say, “Wonderful, easy and a deliciously sweet side dish.”
1 cup uncooked bulgar
2 1/2 cups boiling water
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 TBS. oil
1 clove minced garlic
2 1/2 cups chopped rhubarb
7 dried apricots or peaches, chopped
1/4 cup apple juice
1 tsp. cinnamon
pinch of cayenne pepper
3 TBS. honey or brown rice syrup
1/2 tsp. tamari or soy sauce
1/4 cup slivered almonds
fresh mint
Place the bulgar in a medium bowl, stir in boiling water, cover and steep 30 minutes. In a large skillet, sauté onion in oil until translucent. Stir in the garlic and rhubarb and sauté 1 minute. Add the apricots, apple juice, cinnamon and cayenne. Cover and cook over medium heat until bubbly. Add the honey and tamari. Stir in the bulgar. Garnish with almonds and mint and serve warm. Serves 4.
RHUBARB CRUNCH–This super easy recipe is a family favorite that appeared in a St. Albert the Great church cookbook from a number of years ago. Wonderful served warm and with vanilla ice cream.
1 cup flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup melted butter
4 cups diced rhubarb
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
2 TBS. cornstarch
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, oatmeal and melted butter. Press 1/2 of the mix into the bottom of a 9×9” well-greased pan. Dump the rhubarb over the crust. Cook the water sugar and cornstarch until thick. Cool a bit and add the vanilla. Pour over the rhubarb and sprinkle the top with the rest of the crumb mix. Bake at 375º (or 350º in a glass pan) about 55 minutes or until bubbly and browning.
RHUBARB SOUR CREAM CAKE–This recipe comes to us from Vermont Valley Farm via one of our staff who is a CSA member.
1/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/3 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
4 cups rhubarb cut into 1/2” pcs.
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
Preheat oven to 350º. Cream together the butter and brown sugar. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking soda and salt. Fold in the rhubarb and sour cream. Spoon the batter into a lightly greased 9×13” pan. Sprinkle with the sugar and nutmeg. Bake for 40 minutes. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.
RHUBARB SAUCE–Serve this sauce warm with grilled chicken or pork or chilled with cheeses and sliced baguettes. This recipe comes to us from the June 2007 issue of Better Homes & Gardens magazine.
2 large red onions, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup vinegar
1/3 cup dried cherries or golden raisins
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1 TBS. lime juice
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. ground ginger
3 cups rhubarb, fresh or frozen, cut into 1/2” pcs. (thawed & drained if frozen)
In a saucepan, combine all ingredients except the rhubarb. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the rhubarb, cover and continue to simmer 5 minutes to thicken (15 minutes if using frozen). Serve warm with meats or cold with cheese or baguettes. Makes 2 1/2 cups.
GINGERED RHUBARB FOR VANILLA ICE CREAM–From the Willie St. Co-op Reader of May 2002.
3 cups rhubarb, cut into 3/4” pcs.
1 TBS. fresh orange juice
1 TBS, minced fresh ginger
1/3 cup sugar
1 TBS. butter
vanilla ice cream
Combine everything in a saucepan and cook until tender, stirring. Serve warm with ice cream or cold as a compote. Makes 2 cups.
NATURAL NEWS–
First Endangered Bumblebee Emerges from Slumber This Spring in Wisconsin
By Lee Bergquist for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel @ www.jsonline.com
The rusty patched bumblebee — the first bumblebee ever protected under the federal Endangered Species Act — is emerging from hibernation as it struggles to maintain a tenuous toehold on the landscape.
The bee is known to inhabit only 13 states, including spots across southern Wisconsin that include metropolitan Milwaukee and Madison.
But already in two of the states — Illinois and Minnesota — the protected status of the rusty patched bumblebee has slowed road construction projects.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officially listed the bee as an endangered species on March 21. The designation triggers a series of protections against knowingly harming the bee or its habitat.
In Illinois, a federal judge halted work on a road project in Kane County, west of Chicago, until at least Tuesday after opponents of the project said the road work could affect the bee.
In the Minneapolis area, a stretch of road work in Hennepin County was delayed last month until the Fish and Wildlife Service inspected the site and concluded the area did not have a high potential to host bees.
Historically, the rusty patched bumblebee was found broadly across the eastern United States and Upper Midwest. But an array of factors, including habitat loss, reduced populations to 13 states in 2000.
Other factors include increased use of pesticides; a loss of crop diversity; and mortality from pathogens and parasites. Also, drought, temperature shifts and extreme rain events brought on by climate change also could be factors, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Bumblebees of all species are considered important in most ecosystems for their role in plant pollination.
In Wisconsin, there are 14 counties where the bee is known or thought to have populations, although state wildlife officials say some of these spots may not have had recent sightings.
In Milwaukee, the areas include three swaths: One running in the vicinity of I-94 and Miller Park; another in and around Franklin; and another stretching from the lakefront to west of I-94 from St. Francis to South Milwaukee.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has been reviewing projects for the possible effect on the rusty patched bumblebee, according to Rori Paloski, a conservation biologist with the agency.
determined to have suitable habitat for the bee, Paloski said. Three others are still pending, in part, because she said the DNR is waiting for federal guidance.
One includes a utility construction project in Dane, Sauk and Columbia counties by American Transmission Co., she said.
After a review process, Wisconsin can allow for a limited killing of endangered and threatened species under state incidental take regulations. No project in the state has been held up indefinitely due to an endangered species, Paloski said.
In Wisconsin, the rusty patched bumblebee is listed as a species of special concern, which can include some government protections. But with the new designation, Wisconsin will adopt the stronger federal protections, said Owen Boyle, chief of natural heritage conservation for the DNR.
The agency’s initial announcement came in January — a decision applauded by environmental groups and others who saw it as a recognition of the dramatic population drop of a once ubiquitous species.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum has the most well-documented populations of the rusty patched bumblebee.
Susan Carpenter, the Arboretum’s native plant gardener, said queen bees that hibernated over the winter are beginning to emerge.
They are very difficult to spot in the early spring. Later, as they produce young, more bees can be seen on flowers and trees in a hunt for nectar and pollen. “We see them grow steadily throughout the season,” Carpenter said.
She was not aware that a rare bee species inhabited the Arboretum until 2011 when nature photographer Clay Bolt of Bozeman, Mont., contacted her.
The bees were discovered then and Carpenter has since developed a bumblebee conservation project that includes plant species that are favorable to bees.
The DNR’s Boyle said it’s probably not a mistake that there are more reports of the bees in areas like Madison and the Twin Cities where there are habitat refuges and “there are more eyes watching them.”
JUNE’S PLANT OF THE MONTH:
Echinacea (Coneflower)
10 Reasons Echinacea Should Grow In Every Garden
By Sierra Bright @ www.naturallivingideas.com
Commonly known as coneflower, echinacea is a delightful addition to any garden in USDA zones 3-8. The common name comes from the cone-shaped central disc that stands out prominently among the single layer of petals. The petals themselves are slightly reflexed or droopy, a common characteristic shared by most echinacea species.
Purple coneflower or E. purpurea is the most well known of coneflower species, but you can find several other species and hybrid varieties. Here are some very good reasons why you should welcome these tall plants with large, showy flowers into your garden.
- Echinacea flowers are bold and beautiful.
The first time you come across echinacea plants in their full summer glory, this is the thought that crosses your mind. They are bold and beautiful. The tall clumps stand erect, holding large, single flowers well above the foliage. The daisy-like flowers may be 4-6 inches across, and are long-lasting both on the plant and as cut flowers.
- You have several color and form variations to choose from.
The purple coneflower E. purpurea with its purplish pink flowers may be the most commonly seen, but echinacea species come in many other colors. E. paradoxa, for instance, has yellow flowers, while E. pallida flowers are a very light pink. Over the last few years, many new varieties in attractive shades and flower forms have been developed.
Hybrids of the purple and yellow coneflowers have flowers in various shades of peaches, pinks and purples, orange, and even red. Pure white and greenish white coneflowers are there, along with creams, cream-pinks. If you’re not particularly fond of the baldy look of coneflowers, go for varieties that have the center disc filled in with colorful, yet tinier ray flowers.
- They attract pollinators to your garden.
Echinacea has a long blooming season in summer that stretches into fall. The central disc florets of echinacea flowers produce plenty of nectar that attracts bees, butterflies, and other insects into your garden. It is a visual feast watching colorful butterflies fluttering over coneflower beds in full bloom.
Attracting bees and butterflies into the garden benefits other crops growing there. These pollinators help increase the yield of vegetable and fruit crops that favor cross-pollination.
- It is a goldfinch magnet in fall and winter.
As the flowers fade and the nectar dries up, the flower heads of echinacea continue to attract winged beauties, but it is time for the birds now. Goldfinches are particularly fond of echinacea seeds. Many gardeners refrain from removing the dried up plants just to have these birds visit their garden.
- It is a native plant.
Echinacea is a true North American native, which explains the great attraction it holds for insect pollinators and birds. Native plants need to be promoted because they are critical to the native ecosystem. Native wildlife depends mostly on native plants for their sustenance.
Plants introduced into the land often become invasive, edging out many native plants. This deprives many native animals of their food and shelter. Coneflowers are worth preserving for this reason alone, although they have many other positives going for them.
- Echinacea has healing properties.
Echinacea is one of the easily recognized of the medicinal herbs. It has a long history of being used as a general tonic to increase immunity, especially against cold and flu viruses and pathogenic bacteria. Its antimicrobial activity promotes wound healing and its anti-inflammatory property makes it useful in the treatment of upper respiratory inflammations, skin rashes, and swellings due to insect bites.
We have a duty to preserve the herbal wealth of our land for future generations, and echinacea can very well be considered a mascot of North American medicinal plants. Both E. angustifolia and E. purpurea have medicinal properties, although the former is more widely used.
- You can make a healing tea with its leaves and flowers.
The medicinal properties of this common wildflower were known to the native people, who used the roots in many of their herbal preparations. Echinacea is commercially available in many forms, and they become hugely popular during cold and flu seasons.
If you have echinacea growing in your garden, you can easily prepare the healing tea at home to improve your immunity against diseases and to combat bacterial and viral infections. You can find a simple method for making echinacea tea towards the end of this article.
- Echinacea is easy to grow.
Echinacea is a native wild plant that self-seeds readily. It is easy to grow from seeds, cuttings, and divisions and easily adapts to a wide range of climatic and cultural conditions. It does not demand much attention or pampering from you, so it is a great choice for novice gardeners.
There are many new varieties of echinacea available now, so you can choose the ones that are best for your garden. Most species of echinacea grow up to 4 feet, but you can choose dwarf varieties that barely reach knee height.
- Echinacea is a perennial.
Perennials should be treasured in gardens because they spare you the trouble of starting new plants every year. Perennials generally die down in winter and then magically resurrect in spring, putting out vigorous growth from their underground parts. You don’t have to start seeds early, harden off the seedlings, and then transplant them in their target sites.
Echinacea does not completely die down in winter. Many gardeners find that the spent plants covered in dry seed heads actually add winter interest to their gardens. The visits from goldfinches add to the charm. Removing the remains of echinacea plants in spring is actually better than doing it in fall. It results in more vigorous spring growth.
As a perennial, echinacea is short-lived. Many gardeners find their original clumps disappearing in 5-6 years. Self-seeding often makes it less obvious, though.
- It is drought resistant and shade tolerant.
Echinacea plants adapt well to a wide range of growing conditions. Although it appreciates getting a moderate amount of water regularly, it is tough enough to tide over extended periods of drought.
The long tap root of echinacea may be able to access moisture deep down in the soil. The roots are fleshy and capable of storing some water. That is one of the reasons why drainage is important for this plant from the dry prairies. They are often planted in raised beds or mounds to ensure good drainage.
Echinacea thrives in full sun, but can do well in partial shade too. That gives you some amount of flexibility as to where you can grow them in the garden. In small yards with space limitations, these tall plants can be planted against the house, garage, or a wall, where they will make a good backdrop for shorter plants. As long as the plants get 3-6 hours of direct sun, they will remain happy and put up a good flower show.
How to grow Echinacea
Echinacea is a cold hardy perennial that grows well in Zones 3-8. You can grow it from seeds, divisions, and root cuttings. Although this North American native plant with a wide distribution is not very particular about soil, it needs good drainage. It is tolerant of partial shade, but a sunny location brings the best out of this floriferous plant.
From seeds:
To grow echinacea from seeds, cold stratification is required. One way to do this is sowing the seeds out in the garden or in containers in late fall, and allowing winter to provide the dormancy the seeds require before germination. The seedlings will emerge in spring.
But if you want to get large flowering plants in the very first season, give them a head start by starting the seeds indoors. Place the seeds in a wet tissue paper or a wad of sphagnum moss and store them in a box in the refrigerator for 6-8 weeks. Sow them in seed cups afterward and transplant the seedlings in spring.
From cuttings:
Root cuttings should be taken in late fall or early winter since it is least disturbing for the dormant parent plant. Water the area the previous evening to dampen the soil. Start digging a few inches away from the base of the plant until its fleshy roots become visible. Gently remove the soil around the exposed root until you can get a 3-inch section with a healthy sprout growing from it. Sever the root section by making a clean cut at each end of the section.
After trimming the sprout to 2-3 inches, plant it in a potting mixture of 3 parts sand and 2 parts peat. Place the pot in a protected area away from direct sun and keep the medium barely moist until new growth appears. It usually takes 2-3 weeks.
Division:
Division of clumps is the least preferred way to propagate echinacea. This method gives you bushy plants, but they may not be as floriferous as seed grown plants. Water a clump until the soil is saturated. Cut into the middle of the clump and lift up one section, filling up the hole immediately to keep the other half steady. Pot up the division in moist, but well-draining soil mix. Keep it in partial shade until it is fully revived.
Care
Echinacea is an easy-care plant that does not need much pampering. It does not need fertilizers when starting out. Overfeeding can, in fact, results in lanky plants that do not perform well. Avoid overwatering too. Lack of drainage can cause root rot, which may kill the plant. Too much mulch around the plant in winter is also known to create damp conditions that result in rot. Spontaneous dying out of echinacea clumps could be due to this.
Deadheading is the main maintenance task required of you. It extends the summer blooming season well into fall. It also prevents uncontrolled self-seeding all around the garden.
Collecting and storing Echinacea root
Echinacea angustifolia is the species more popularly used medicinally, but E. purpurea also have similar healing properties. Native Indians used echinacea roots for their herbal medicines, but many gardeners find it difficult to dig up the roots. If you are up to it, you can harvest the roots in late fall or early winter when a clump is 3 years old.
Wash all the dirt off the roots and cut them up into smaller pieces with a pair of garden clippers. The roots are too tough to be cut with a knife. Although the root pieces can be dried and stored, fresh echinacea roots are more often used to make tinctures.
To make Echinacea root tincture:
Fill ¾ of a glass jar with the root pieces and pour twice the quantity of vodka or vegetable glycerin. Shake well and cap the glass jar. keep it in a warm place for 1-2 months, shaking the bottle once or twice a day. Filter the liquid out into clean glass jars and store in a cool place.
Use the tincture internally for treating cold, flu, and other respiratory infections. Use it topically on rashes, insect bites, wounds, and skin infections.
Collecting and storing Echinacea flowers and leaves
The leaves and flowers of echinacea are almost as effective as the root, but a lot milder, and easier to harvest and use. Collect mature leaves and flowers in their prime, wash them quickly under running water, and hang them up to dry or spread on a wire screen. Keep a sheet of paper or a piece of clean cloth to catch the petals that fall.
Drying should be done in a dark but well-ventilated area. When the petals as well as the cones are completely dry, store them in large glass jars. One teaspoon of dried and crushed echinacea flowers is equivalent to one cup of fresh flowers in herbal preparations.
How to make an herbal tea from fresh Echinacea
When you have echinacea growing in your garden, you can make use of its wonderful medicinal properties by brewing a healing tea at the very first sign of cold or flu.
You will need:
- 2 cups of water
- 1 cup of echinacea flowers or leaves
- A stalk of lemon grass
- A sprig of spearmint
- ½ a lemon
- 2 teaspoons of honey
Place the echinacea plant parts, lemongrass and mint in a glass or ceramic bowl with close-fitting lid. Boil the 2 cups of water and pour it over the herbs. Cover the bowl and allow them to steep for 15-20 minutes. Strain the tea into a jug and add honey and a squeeze of lemon. This is optional. You can use stevia instead for sweetness.
Echinacea has anti-inflammatory properties, but part of its benefits comes from its immune-boosting action. So it is most effective if the tea is taken at the start of the cold or flu. It is good for throat and ear infections too.
This tea is mild enough to be given to children, but for a more potent tea, you can use the root. Echinacea root tea is bitter, but it is the traditionally used portion of the plant. Root tinctures are much more palatable.
AROUND TOWN:
For neighborhood events or garden tours that you would like posted in our monthly newsletter, please contact Rick at (608) 244-5661 or rick@kleinsfloral.com or Sue at sue@kleinsfloral.com. Please include all details, i.e. dates, locations, prices, brief description, etc. Events must be garden related and must take place in the Madison vicinity and we must receive your information by the first of the month in which the event takes place for it to appear in that month’s newsletter. This is a great opportunity for free advertising.
Guided Garden Strolls
Sundays, June 4 thru September 24, 1:30-3:00
Get an insider’s view of Olbrich’s outdoor gardens during a free guided garden stroll. All ages are welcome for this casual overview of the Gardens. Guided garden strolls will vary somewhat according to the season to reflect the garden areas that are at peak interest.
Strolls start and end in the lobby near the Garden entrance and are about 45 to 60 minutes in length. No registration is required; strolls are drop-in only. Strolls are held rain or shine and will be cancelled only in the event of dangerous lightning.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Hosta Sale
Sunday, June 4, 12:00-3:00 or until supplies last
Sponsored by the Wisconsin Hosta Society
Pick up some interesting hostas to add to your collection at the Wisconsin Hosta Society’s Plant Sale. These shade-loving perennials, prized for their interesting foliage, come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. For more information e-mail wihostasociety@gmail.com.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Iris Show
Sunday, June 4, 12:00-5:00
Sponsored by the Madison Iris Society
For details call 608/271-3607
The Madison Area Iris Society sponsors this show of iris rhizomes, the roots that grow into iris plants. For more information call 608/271-3607
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Permaculture
Saturday, June 10, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Longenecker Horticultural Gardens Tour
Join Kate Heiber-Cobb, founder of the Madison Area Permaculture Guild, and Marian Farrior, Arboretum outreach specialist, as they explore urban permaculture design and highlight permaculture functions of woody plants in the collection. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Woodland, Savanna, and Prairie Gardens
Wednesday, June 14, 7:00 p.m.
Native Plant Garden Tour
Celebrate late spring by visiting our woodland, savanna, and prairie gardens. This tour, led by Arboretum native plant gardener Susan Carpenter, provides an overview of the Wisconsin Native Plant Garden. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Rhapsody in Bloom: Grand Central Gardens
Saturday, June 17, 6:00-11:00
One of Olbrich Garden’s biggest fundraisers.
For reservations call 608/246-5616 by June 10
Diverse. Raw. Delicious.
New York City is an ever-evolving culture mash-up of cuisine and creativity, come and explore a taste of the big city life. Anything can happen in a New York minute!
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Using your subway transportation map as a guide, mingle through different garden areas sampling traditional New York street food provided by Banzo and Underground Catering’s premier local food carts, and a tasty taco stand from Pasqual’s Cantina.
Surprises await around every corner, featuring classic street performers and a symphony of subway music.
Online Auction – bid on one-of-a-kind items and packages until 9:00 p.m.
8:00-11:00 p.m.
As the sun sets, take a twilight stroll through the NEW garden landscape lighting, bust a move on the dance floor, and enjoy a New York slice from Ian’s Pizza and sweet treats from Bloom Bake Shop!
Full Experience Reservations (6:00-11:00 p.m.) at $95 /person
Package pricing:
(4) Full Experience Reservations @$342 total (10% discount)
(8) Full Experience Reservations @ $646 total (15% discount)
Discounted reservation pricing applies only when purchased by one person.
Late Night Reservation (8:00-11:00 p.m.) at $55 /person
Sponsored Table reservation available inquire at 608-246-5616
Reservations can be made @ https://e.gesture.com/events/6yr/
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Woody Plants of China
Saturday, June 17, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Longenecker Horticultural Gardens Tour
Join Stephen Nystrand, Longenecker Horticultural Gardens technician, on a tour highlighting diverse and fascinating plants of Chinese origin within the collection. Learn the history, cultural significance, economic importance, and landscape use of ginkgo, dawn redwood, maples, flowering quinces, and much more. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Madison Rose Society Rose Show
Sunday, June 18, 12:00-5:00
Free Admission
The Madison Rose Society hosts this indoor exhibit of cut roses and arrangements in all sizes and colors. Members of the Rose Society will be available to answer questions. Stroll through Olbrich’s two acre Rose Garden. For more info call 608-634-2146.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
2017 Summer Concert Series at Olbrich Gardens
Enjoy the summer evening with a concert on the Great Lawn of Olbrich’s outdoor gardens. A wide variety of music is highlighted, including jazz, folk, honky-tonk, and much more. Olbrich’s Summer concerts are Tuesdays, June 20 – July 25 at 7 p.m. with special performances August 1 and August 8. A $2 admission donation is suggested.
Olbrich Concerts in the Gardens 2017 Schedule:
(All concerts are on Tuesdays at 7 p.m.)
June 20
Auralai – Cello Folk / Pop
June 27
Wrenclaw – Country rock
July 4
No Concert
July 11
Americana Spectacular – A collaboration between Lost Lakes and the Backroom Harmony Band, with special guests Evan Murdock and Josh Harty, performing variations on the genre.
July 18
Peter and Lou Berryman – Folk / Cabaret
July 25
Madtown Mannish Boys – Blues
August 1
Ken Lonnquist featured performer for the Madison Public Library’s
Summer Reading Club Concert
August 8
Fresco Opera-Opera Made Fresh. Live opera performances in different locations throughout the Gardens. Stand and stroll concert viewing; no seating provided.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
What’s Blooming?
Wednesday, June 21, 7:00 p.m.
Native Plant Garden Tour
Join Susan Carpenter, Arboretum native plant gardener, to find, compare, and learn about flowers on native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Conserving Monarch Butterflies: All Hands on Deck
Thursday, June 22, 7:00-8:15 p.m.
Talk
The monarch butterfly population has significantly declined over the last 20 years, primarily due loss of breeding habitat in the north central U.S. Researchers, citizens, and government agencies are studying habitat needs. Laura Lukens and Kyle Kasten will discuss these efforts, their research, and the role of citizen science. The speakers study monarch habitat restoration and work on a national citizen science program.
Free to the public. Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/conserving-monarch-butterflies-all-hands-on-deck-registration-34476311576?aff=cals
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Herb Day
Tuesday, June 25, 10:00-4:00
Free Admission
Bring your kids, friends and family and come celebrate medicinal herbs and plants with us! Free classes indoors and herb walks in the garden are featured all day. Shop the Herbal Marketplace between your chosen events for herbal teas, tinctures, salves, soaps, plants and books. Free admission for everyone! Rain or Shine!
Presented by Madison Herbal Institute and the Madison Chapter of the American Herbalist Guild For more information contact Kate McFeeley at kkmcfeeley@gmail.com
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
A Garden Hike at Rotary Gardens: Wild Edible & Poisonous Plants of Wisconsin
Sunday, June 25, 1:00-3:00 p.m
Dave Bendlin, retired Milton School District educator will present “Wild Edible and Poisonous plants of Wisconsin.” Join Dave on a tour of the ‘wild side’ across from Rotary Botanical Gardens. During an easy hike outdoors, Dave will help participants identify common wild edible plants and other useful plants. Common poisonous plants will also be identified.
—$5 for non-members, $3 for RBG Friends members
—Limit of 20 participants.
—Pre-registration @ http://www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org/event/garden-hike/ required by Friday, June 23, 2017
—$1.50 convenience fee added to online registrations
Rotary Botanical Gardens
1455 Palmer Drive
Janesville, WI
608/752-3885 or www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org/
Rotary Garden’s Evening Garden Seminar: The Ups and Downs of Wisconsin Weather
Wednesday, June 28, 6:30-8:00 p.m
Steve Ackerman and Jon Martin, University of Wisconsin-Madison atmospheric scientists, will present “The Ups and Downs of Wisconsin Weather.” Steve and Jon will speak about climate trends in Wisconsin, explain forecasting models and unveil the latest long-range forecast. They will also introduce us to CoCoRaHS, a citizen organization that collects precipitation data across the United States. Steve and Jon are regular guests on WPR’s “The Larry Meiller Show,” sharing their wisdom and answering questions as the “weather guys.”
$5 for non-members, $3 for RBG Friends members, no registration required.
Rotary Botanical Gardens
1455 Palmer Drive
Janesville, WI
608/752-3885 or www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org/
Dane County Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, April 15 thru November 11, 6:00-1:45
On the Capitol Square
Wednesdays, April 19 thru November 8, 8:30-1:45
In the 200 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
For details visit www.dcfm.org
Northside Farmers Market
Sundays, May 7 through October 22, 8:30-12:30
In the Northside TownCenter at the intersection of N. Sherman Ave. and Northport Dr. across from Warner Park.
The Northside Farmers Market is a nonprofit community enterprise. It is one of the newest and fastest growing farmers’ markets in Dane County. In keeping with the innovative spirit of Madison’s Northside, we are surpassing what defines the traditional farmers’ market. Our fundamental principles include:
–Providing an abundant selection of high quality, locally grown foods.
The market accepts Quest, WIC and Senior FMNP vouchers.
–Supporting our local agricultural entrepreneurs who are increasingly important today in ensuring that we have the best and safest food possible.
–Educating the community about traditional foods and the history of local agriculture in an attempt to preserve (and expand upon) our rich heritage.
–Promoting nutrition and the market by hosting dinners for neighborhood groups and seniors.
Parking is always FREE!
For details visit www.northsidefarmersmarket.org
JUNE IN THE GARDEN—A checklist of things to do this month.
___By early June, finish planting all annuals and vegetables.
___By early June, move all houseplants out that spend the summer outdoors.
___In early June give all beds a thorough weeding for easier follow-up.
___June is a great month to plant perennials, trees and shrubs.
___Prune evergreens.
___Prune hard any spring flowering shrubs like forsythia, quince, etc.
___Mulch beds to conserve moisture and keep down weeds.
___Begin deadheading spent blooms as needed.
___Remove yellowed foliage of spring tulips, daffodils, etc.
___Begin staking and supporting tall plants as needed.
___Begin your fertilizing regimen. Regular fertilizing makes for healthy plants.
___Order spring bulbs from catalogs while your memory is still fresh.
___Keep and eye on the weather. Water as needed.
___Watch for pests and control as needed or desired.
___Begin seeding cole crops for fall harvest. Also sow pansies and wallflowers.
___Pinch hardy mums until July 4 for bushier less floppy plants.
___Visit Klein’s—Watch for end of season savings on annuals and perennials.
Some of our very favorite seed and plant sources include:
For seeds:
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
For bulbs:
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
For plants:
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.
IN JUNE:
—The back greenhouses are nearly empty of product. We’ve had another successful season. This is the time to plan for next spring–while our memories are still fresh: How can we improve in 2018? Which plants did we run out of too early? How was staffing?
—Watering is a nonstop endeavor. On hot, windy days, we no sooner finish the first round, when we have to start all over again. Some plants in our retail areas may need watering 3 or 4 times in a single day! You wouldn’t do this at home, but customers don’t like to see wilted plants. It’s not harmful for us to let them wilt a bit, but it makes for bad presentation.
—We continue to plant some annuals, hanging baskets and containers for summer sales. Our summer “Jumbo Pack” program is under way.
—Fall mums and asters are stepped up into larger tubs and containers for fall sales.
—We begin prepping some of the back greenhouses for the arrival of poinsettia plugs in just a few weeks.
—Our employees breathe a sigh of relief and spend some much needed downtime with family and friends.