‘THE SAGE’-Klein’s Online Newsletter—NOVEMBER 2018
Klein’s Floral & Greenhouses
608/244-5661 or info@kleinsfloral.com
THIS MONTH’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Klein’s Holiday Open House Weekend is November 16-18
Plant Your Spring Bulbs Into Early December
Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas for Your Home
Summer Bulbs and Overwintering
Our ‘Mad Gardener’ Is Ready for Your Questions
Easy Homemade Leaf Shines
Klein’s Favorite Seed, Bulb & Plant Sources
You Asked the Mad Gardener About Mum Hardiness
Plant of the Month: Split-leaf Philodendron (Monstera)
Klein’s Favorite Cooked Cabbage Recipes
Product Spotlight: Bird Feeders from WoodLink, Droll Yankees & Perky Pet
Notes from Rick’s Garden Journal—From October 2018
—Wisconsin’s Native Pickle
—Cold Temp TLC for Transporting Houseplants
—Possum Particulars
November in the Garden: A Planner
Gardening Events Around Town
Join Us on Twitter
Follow Us on Facebook
Delivery Information
Related Resources and Websites
Plants Harmful to Kids and Pets
KLEIN’S 2018 OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND is November 16 thru November 18. Enter a winter wonderland filled with our homegrown poinsettias, holiday plants and gift ideas. Let us inspire you with our extensive collection of gift ideas and ornaments for all your decorating needs.
Receive Double Rewards Points on All Applicable Purchases on Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 17-18)! (Visit kleinsfloral.com/loyalty-
WEEKEND EVENTS INCLUDE:
On Friday, November 16 from 5:00-8:00 join us for our HOLIDAY SNEAK PEEK SALE when everything in the store will be 30% OFF the the current price (including clearance priced merchandise)!
Enlighten your senses as you step into our warm and cozy greenhouses. The serene beauty of being in the greenhouses after dark is a truly unique experience. Surround yourself with the sights, sounds and smells of the holidays!
On Saturday, November 17 and on Sunday, November 18 join us for the following workshop:
From 10:00-12:00 & from 1:00-3:00—Design & Create Outdoor Holiday Containers with fresh pine greens, branches, berries and all the traditional (and not-so-traditional) holiday baubles, bangles and beads. Oodles of pre-made containers will be available or make your own on site. Bring your own empty container(s) or purchase one of ours and we’ll get you started. A 12″ container will be provided ($5 discount if you provide your own). Cost is $40 and can go up depending on additional greens and accessories. There will be additional cost for containers larger than 12″. Advance sign up is required. Please sign up on Facebook or contact Sue at sue@kleinsfloral.com if interested in taking part (608/244-5661).
Saturday, November 17:
From 10:00 12:00—By popular request, come and join Darcy as she teaches a step-by-step bow making class in which participants will be able to create their own beautiful bows. There is no fee associated with this class and please invite your friends and family to join us. If you are interested in participating in the bow making class, please either bring at least five yards of wired ribbon or purchase some from our selection on the day.
From 1:00 3:00—Enjoy holiday music by guitarist Steven Meyer
AND on Sunday, November 18:
From 12:00-4:00—Holiday Family Photo Shoot. Come in with your family and/or pet for a photo in front of a beautiful, elegant Christmas display. Julie Fix once again will be our photographer. Receive a free 5 x 7 and have the opportunity to purchase Christmas cards and/or additional photos. To reserve your time and for more information, please sign up on Facebook or contact Sue Klein at sue@kleinsfloral.com.
From 1:00 3:00—Enjoy holiday music by guitarist Steven Meyer
Watch for our popular ’12 Days of Christmas’ Specials. Each day from Wednesday, December 12 though Christmas Eve, Klein’s will feature a new item for holiday gift-giving, culminating on Monday, December 24 with all featured products on sale for last minute shoppers and bargain seekers. Visit our website or watch for emailed updates.
FANTASTIC SELECTION OF SPRING BULBS AND NOW ON SALE …..WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!
We have all of your favorites–tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, alliums–and a few not-so-well known treasures for your garden. November is a perfect time to plant your spring bulbs (planting too can early promote premature leaf growth) and nothing could be more uplifting after a long winter than crocus, snowdrops and winter aconite blossoms peeking through the snow come spring. Allow the Klein’s staff to share planting tips and ideas to keep those pesky squirrels from digging up those newly planted bulbs. And for indoor blooms, don’t forget a few hyacinths, paperwhites and amaryllis for indoor forcing. We carry a lovely assortment of forcing glasses, vases and decorative pottery. Forced bulbs make for an inexpensive and treasured holiday gift. Any bulb questions? Don’t forget our Mad Gardener @ madgardener@kleinsfloral.com!
A Reminder: Bulbs can be planted until the ground freezes . . . usually into early December. Watch for increased season-end savings on bulbs for the garden during the month of November and as the weather cools. Note that any discounts will not include holiday amaryllis, paperwhites, forcing hyacinths or gift boxes.
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.
NOVEMBER STORE HOURS:
Monday thru Friday : 8:00-6:00
Saturday: 9:00-5:00
Sunday: 10:00-4:00
Holiday Sneak Peek Sale, Friday, Nov. 16, 5:00-8:00
Holiday Hours Begin Monday, November 26
Monday thru Friday 8:00-7:00
Saturday: 8:00-6:00
Sunday: 9:00-5:00
Holiday hours run through Sunday, December 23.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
The new 2019 FTD Calendar is available at our checkout. These beautiful, flower-filled calendars are free. No purchase necessary.
Watch for great specials on all remaining spring bulbs while supplies last. November is the perfect month for planting next spring’s bloomers. Selection becomes limited and includes daffodils, tulips, crocus and more. Sale does not include paperwhites, amaryllis, forcing hyacinths and gift boxes.
November 4–Daylight Savings Time ends
November 6–Election Day
November 11–Veterans’ Day
November 16 thru November 18–KLEIN’S OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND. Enter a winter wonderland filled with holiday plants and gift ideas. Let us inspire you with our extensive collection of gift ideas and ornaments for all your decorating needs. Free refreshments on hand and receive Double Rewards Points on all applicable purchases on Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 17 & 18)!
November 20—Thanksgiving Wine & Design. Join us at 6:30 to design your own centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table at Klein’s. Enjoy a glass of wine and appetizers from 6:30-6:45. Designing begins at 6:45. Cost is $35. Advance registration is required@ sue@kleinsfloral.com or at 608/244-5661.
November 22–Thanksgiving Day (Store Closed)
November 23–Full Moon
November 23—Black Friday. Escape to Klein’s from the hustle and bustle of the malls and big box chain stores for a more relaxing and intimate holiday gift shopping experience. We not only carry merchandise for the gardener in your life, but many fun, interesting and unique gift ideas.
November 24—Small Business Saturday. In our appreciation for supporting our small and local business, Klein’s will give you a $20 gift on future purchases (January 1-March 31) for all purchases of $100 or more.
November 25—Photos With Santa (2:00-4:00). Santa will be available for visits and photos at Klein’s. Please bring your own camera.
November 27 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.—Design & Create Outdoor Holiday Containers with fresh pine greens, branches, berries and all the traditional (and not-so-traditional) holiday baubles, bangles and beads. Oodles of pre-made containers will be available or make your own on site. Bring your own empty container(s) or purchase one of ours and we’ll get you started. A 12″ container will be provided ($5 discount if you provide your own). Cost is $40 and can go up depending on additional greens and accessories. There will be additional cost for containers larger than 12″. Advance sign up is required. Please sign up on Facebook or contact Sue at sue@kleinsfloral.com if interested in taking part (608/244-5661).
December 1 from 10:00-12:00—Design & Create Outdoor Holiday Containers with fresh pine greens, branches, berries and all the traditional (and not-so-traditional) holiday baubles, bangles and beads. Oodles of pre-made containers will be available or make your own on site. Bring your own empty container(s) or purchase one of ours and we’ll get you started. A 12″ container will be provided ($5 discount if you provide your own). Cost is $40 and can go up depending on additional greens and accessories. There will be additional cost for containers larger than 12″. Advance sign up is required. Please sign up on Facebook or contact Sue at sue@kleinsfloral.com if interested in taking part (608/244-5661).
‘THE FLOWER SHOPPE’:
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, here are a few ideas from the Society of American Florists’ website at www.aboutflowers.com. For more decorating ideas give Klein’s a call at 608/244-5661 or 888/244-5661 and ask for one of our talented designers—Darcy or Sue. Be sure to order early for prompt delivery. For delivery details visit kleinsfloral.com/delivery-
Appointed as a day to give thanks for the bountiful gifts of the land, the first national Thanksgiving day was proclaimed by George Washington and celebrated on November 26, 1789. In 1863 Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday to be celebrated on the last Thursday of November. The Canadian observance of Thanksgiving began in 1879 and is celebrated annually on the second Monday of October.
Thanksgiving Floral Decorating Ideas
•Accessorize a large table by placing a long, narrow centerpiece in the center of the table. Add a few smaller accent pieces or candles on each side of the arrangement for an added effect.
•Ask your florist to create a centerpiece in a treasured family vase or bowl, or in seasonal pieces such as a cornucopia or a utility vase surrounded by dry corn cobs.
•To create a lot of drama and variety, place a topiary at one end of the table leading to a cluster of small potted plants, then two smaller topiaries with candles leading to a tray of votive candles and flower petals, and so on…
•Ask your florist to use vegetables or fruits as accents in your floral arrangement.
•Garnish your serving trays with flowers and greens.
•Scatter colorful fall leaves, flowers and votive candles along the center of your dining table.
•Float flowers in crystal wine glasses.
•Place a single long-stem rose on each plate to welcome your guests to the table.
•Decorate small desserts with flowers or make an ice ring with flowers to chill champagne or wine.
•Ask your florist to design the arrangements for your buffet table on several different levels to keep the eye flowing all along the table.
•Place a garland of fruit, flowers and fall foliage over your front door.
Flower Suggestions
Chrysanthemums, bittersweet, gerbera daisies, roses, carnations, alstroemeria, lilies, wheat, solidago, monte casino, marigolds. Potted plants in season include chrysanthemums, daisies and cyclamen.
YOU ASKED THE MAD GARDENER . . .
I received three mums in September as gifts and I’m wondering if all mums are “hardy” and can be planted, thus, expecting them to grow back in the spring. Pamela
Hi Pamela,
Yours is one of our most
We’re on the very northern edge of mum hardiness and in harsh winters (especially like the last two where we had January thaws, heavy rains and then hard freezes) mum loss is almost guaranteed. Nearly all mums in our area succumbed to the weather during the last two winters. In addition, mums planted in the fall are seldom hardy this far north. They don’t have time to root out before the ground freezes. We recommend planting mums in the springtime so they have the entire summer to root out and establish themselves, thus increasing their chances of surviving the winter. At Klein’s, we sell them along with our perennials starting in early May.
That said, there is always a chance your mums will make it through the winter if planted in the fall. Getting them into the ground sooner than later will increase hardiness. The ground usually doesn’t freeze in our area until about December 1. Perhaps we’ll have a mild and snowy winter. Snow is a great insulator.
Plant your mums in a well-drained location. Once the surface of the ground freezes, mound soil over the crowns to a depth of 2-3″. Do not cut back the mums until the springtime. The standing foliage helps accumulate drifting snow around the plants for added protection. Remove the mounded soil in the springtime as soon as the ground has thawed.
As an alternative, place your still potted mums in your garage for the winter. If you have an attached garage, place them along the ‘house side’ wall of your garage. If you have a detached garage, place them along the south foundation (You’ll have a lower success rate in a detached garage). If your garage doesn’t freeze, you’ll need to water the mums when dry through the winter months. Come spring (and if the mums survive), plant the mums into your garden about May 1. I’ve had great success with this technique. These larger, established mums will have the entire summer next year to root out in your garden and your mums will be huge when compared to smaller ones planted in the spring.
Thanks for your question,
Klein’s Mad Gardener
DID YOU KNOW. . .
. . . that summer blooming and tender dahlias, gladiolas, cannas, etc. are all overwintered a bit differently from each other?
It’s true that each tender bulb type has a lightly different condition it needs to be stored in during the winter for optimum success. The following comes to us from A.D.R. Bulbs Inc. @ www.adrbulbs.com/Home
Storing Summer Bulbs
When Summer Ends: Preserving Summer Bulbs
Semi-tropical natives such as dahlias, gladioli, begonias, canna, caladium, elephant ears, oxalis and other tender summer-flowering bulbs will not make it through the winter outside of the warmest climate zones.
Tender bulbs can be either treated as annuals and composted or tossed out, or they can be lifted and stored. This depends solely on your preference. Some gardeners can’t be bothered (and some bulbs are inexpensive). Others love to baby their bulbs and tuck them away for the winter.
For those who like to keep their bulbs from year to year:
—Tender summer bulbs should be left in the ground until frost blackens the foliage. (This is true for all except tuberous begonias, which should be dealt with before frost.)
—Carefully dig up the bulbs, being careful not to damage them. Cut off excess foliage and brush off loose soil. Set the bulbs out in a warm, dry place with good air circulation to dry for a day or two. When dry, brush off remaining soil, being careful not to bruise the bulbs when handling, as this promotes mold.
—After the bulbs are dry, cut off any remaining foliage and pack the bulbs in a few layers of an appropriate “medium” such as perlite, vermiculite, cocoa hulls, clean sawdust or peat moss.
—Store in a container, with layers of bulbs separated by your medium of choice in a dry place until spring. Optimal storage temperatures vary for different bulbs, but typically range just under or over 50° degrees. Don’t worry yourself needlessly — few people have temperature-controlled storage areas — store your bulbs as best you can.
A few notes: dahlia stems may have water in them. Hang them upside down to drain. When digging gladioli, you’ll notice that the shriveled old corm is there, replaced by new corms. Separate the corms. Out with the old and store the new.
Remember, not all summer-blooming bulbs are tender. Lilies, for example, are winter hardy. So are alliums. Hardy summer bulbs, like most of their spring-blooming cousins, are perennial performers and can overwinter in the garden.
For storage, temperatures and moisture conditions vary for each type of bulb. For some bulbs, the precise storage conditions are known, for others not. When grown in containers, it is usually best to keep bulbs in the pot and store the pot under the correct conditions. Here are some tips by variety:
Begonia (Tuberous Hybrids) – Harvest the corms in fall, and store in dry peat at 35 to 40°F.
Canna – Harvest rhizomes in fall after a hard freeze, and store in dry peat or vermiculite at 40 to 50°F. Moisten lightly a few times during the winter to prevent desiccation.
Dahlia – Harvest tuberous roots in fall, keep away from drafts, and store in vermiculite or dry sand at 35 to 45°F.
Freesia – Store corms or containers dry at 75 to 85°F.
Gladiolus – Harvest corms after foliage dies. Store dry in mesh bags 40 to 50°F.
Lilium – Better to leave in the ground, but can be stored in moist peat at 35°F.
Oxalis (Tender Species) – Store rhizomes or bulbs in peat or vermiculite at 35 to 40°F.
Zantedeschia (Calla Lilies) – Store rhizomes or tubers dry at 50 to 60°F. Take care not to injure the storage organs.
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.
Bird Feeders from WoodLink (Audubon), Droll Yankees and Perky Pet
For the first time ever and (thanks to our new facility), Klein’s is able to offer a a nice selection of bird feeders, bird feeding supplies and accessories and bird seed, etc.
With more space and a ‘’varmint secure’ retail area, we’ve spent the past year expanding our selections from Audubon, Droll Yankees, Perky Pet and a number of other suppliers.
And now with the holidays approaching, remember that bird feeders, birdhouses and bird feeding accessories are the perfect gifts for the bird lovers in your life.
WoodLink
WoodLink has been in business since 1988 and is a leading manufacturer and nationwide distributor of bird feeders, birdhouses, hardware and accessories under the WoodLink and Audubon brands and the exclusive licensed manufacturer for the National Audubon Society.
WoodLink manufactures and markets recycled plastic GOING GREEN® bird feeders and birdhouses, as well as a traditional line of cedar bird feeders, birdhouses and accessories.
Droll Yankees
Droll Yankees feeders are designed to blend with the habits and sizes of specific birds, so that the feeders attract the backyard birds that people enjoy, while the bird feeder itself blends beautifully with the backyard and will last for years to come. In 1969, Droll Yankees founder Peter Kilham used his Yankee Ingenuity and invented the very first tubular bird feeder. Like Peter’s originals, all of our feeders are innovative, of the highest quality, and easy to use – pleasing both birds and humans. Every Droll Yankees bird feeder brings us closer to the natural world through the simple joy of feeding the birds.
People and birds love Droll Yankees bird feeders because they are durable, functional, and very easy to fill and clean. Droll Yankees bird feeders will last for years or even decades longer than lesser-quality feeders. We have been producing bird feeders since 1969 and have cultivated many loyal devotees making the Droll Yankees name the best known name in bird feeders.
Perky Pet: Experts in Birding Since 1958
Perky-Pet® strives to be the most trusted brand in wild bird feeding by providing bird lovers with the comprehensive resources and high quality, cost-effective bird feeding accessories they need.
Perky-Pet® first began as a distributor of various pet supplies in Denver, Colorado. In 1958, Perky-Pet® began searching for a way to feed the hummingbirds that people loved to watch outside their homes. The initial design was inspired by medical IV bottles, which were easy to adapt. After some experimentation with this design, Perky-Pet® introduced the first commercial hummingbird feeder to the world.
All of our products stem from our commitment to creating a bird-feeding experience that is fun, fulfilling and educational in a manner that is easy and cost-effective.
NOTES FROM MY GARDEN JOURNAL–Tips and Observations from My Own Garden by Rick Halbach
ENTRY: OCTOBER 2, 2018 (Wisconsin’s Native Pickle)
While out doing errands this morning I was on a country road just north of Madison when something odd caught my eye…all the trees, brush, fence lines and even the cattails in the low areas were coated by vines, almost forming a complete blanket over some some of them. Though I noticed this it everywhere this summer, with it’s white flowers, this plant is particularly prevalent everywhere along this stretch of road. I came to learn just recently from a co-worker that this seemingly invasive plant is common wild cucumber and that conditions were just right last fall and then this summer for the plants populations to explode. Growing up in rural Wisconsin, I’m surprised that I am completely unfamiliar with this fast growing and native annual vine.
About Wild Cucumber (Echinocystis lobata)
by Susan Mahr, UW Wisconsin- Madison
In late summer you may notice trees or shrubs festooned with crowns of white flowers that obviously are not the woody plant blooming. Look closely and you’ll notice the leaves and individual flowers look just like that of cucumber – this is wild cucumber or balsam-apple, Echinocystis lobata. The name Echinocystis comes from the Greek echinos for “hedgehog” and cystis for “bladder”, appropriately describing the spiny fruit.
A vining native annual in the cucumber or gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), wild cucumber is often overlooked until it is large and sometimes has engulfed the other plants it is growing on. It occurs throughout much of North America, including all of Wisconsin. Its native habitat is along stream beds, swamps, and moist thickets or roadsides.
It is not common in home landscapes, but will occasionally be spread from adjacent rural areas.
As a fast-growing, warm season annual, wild cucumber grows from seed each year, germinating after the last frost. The large, oval cotyledons look just like that of a regular cucumber. The smooth, fleshy stems are grooved lengthwise. The large, alternate leaves are palmate with 3-5 pointed lobes. Each is borne on a long petiole. The branching vines can grow up to 25 or 30 feet long, climbing onto other foliage with curling, 3-forked tendrils that arise from the leaf axils. The tendrils coil when they touch anything to attach onto for support.
Starting in mid-summer the vines begin to produce fragrant, pale yellowish-white flowers. The plants are monoecious (separate male and female flowers are produced on the same plant) and the flowers are pollinated by insects. The numerous male flowers form in clusters on a long, erect raceme from the leaf axils. Each ½ – ¾ inch wide flower has 6 long, thin petals, giving a star-like appearance. The filaments of the three stamens form a column, with the yellow anthers on the end. The female flowers occur singly or in pairs interspersed among the male flowers, with a small, rounded spiny ovary below the yellow-green petals.
Superficially the fruit resembles a small and rounded cultivated cucumber, but with prickles all over it. The puffy, spherical to oblong, green pods with long, soft spines grow up to two inches long. Despite the common name, the fruits are not edible, and can cause burning reactions in some people. The pods can be used in dried flower arrangements.
When ripe, the fruit becomes dry and brown and the inflated capsules burst open at the bottom to eject the seeds. Each pod contains four large, flat black or brown seeds, two in each of the two cavities in the pod. The fruits should be bagged well before maturity if you wish to collect seed, as they are forcibly expelled by hydrostatic pressure as soon as the pods are dry.
Wild cucumber can be cultivated as an ornamental annual vine, and would be great for covering arbors and pergolas, or for rambling horizontally along fences, walls and other low structures. It does best in full sun and rich, moist soil. Seed can be sown directly outdoors as soon as the soil warms, or seeds can be started early indoors to be transplanted outside after the last frost. Only a few suppliers offer seed (one is Prairie Moon Nursery in Minnesota at www.prairiemoon.com/), so you may have to collect your own seed in the fall to grow the following year.
Even though this is an attractive native plant, it is generally considered a weed when climbing on planted trees because of its aggressive growth. It is easily controlled in the home landscape by pulling or hoeing the young plants. Plants will self-seed readily, so controlling before the plants begin to flower and fruit is important for reducing infestations. Chemical control can be used over larger areas, such as shelter belts.
Another similar, but less common, plant is bur cucumber, Sicyos angulatus, but that plant is easily differentiated by the degree of indentation of the leaf lobes and the fruits. Wild cucumber has deeply lobed leaves and inflated fruits, while bur cucumber has broad, shallowly lobed leaves and the fruit is much smaller and not inflated.
Source: wimastergardener.org
* * * * *
ENTRY: OCTOBER 21, 2018 (Cold Temp TLC for Transporting Houseplants)
Due to the very cold weather this morning (and the fact that a customer brought an unprotected plant in to Klein’s for repotting), I’m again reminded that buying or moving houseplants in subfreezing temperatures requires a bit of planning and TLC during the winter months ahead.
Here are a few simple tips from Tim Johnson for the Chicago Tribune.
Buying Houseplants in Winter?
With the proper precautions, you should be able to continue purchasing houseplants all winter long.
Try to avoid buying them on very cold days, below 20 degrees, because it will be harder to protect them while you transport them. Even days in the 30s that may feel relatively warm to us can mean cold damage for more sensitive plants.
Most garden centers will wrap plants to protect them from cold temperatures as a matter of course. If they don’t, ask them to do so. Wrapping the plants also protects them from breaking.
Warm the car up before you carry the plants from the store and place them in it, especially if the outdoor temperature is below freezing. The colder the temperature, the more important it is to warm up the car.
Place the plants in the car in a stable location so that they do not tip over as you accelerate, brake and make turns. Never transport them in a cold trunk or allow them to sit in a cold car for any length of time. If you are running errands that include buying plants, make the garden center your last stop.
At home, set each plant on a stable surface and carefully tear or cut the wrapper from the bottom up to unwrap the plant. Do not attempt to pull the wrapper off the plant, as you may break stems, flowers or leaves.
If you cannot remove the wrapping right away once a plant is indoors, open the top to allow it to get air. Plants should stay within their wrappings for no more than 24 hours.
* * * * *
ENTRY: OCTOBER 29, 2018 (Possum Particulars)
I was a little taken off guard this morning while fetching the newspaper as a large opossum scampered across the driveway right in front of me. I’ve seen a lot of them (or just the one many times) in my yard lately as they scavenge for loose seed below the bird feeders as they fatten up for the months ahead. It’s common for them to pause and peer through the patio door as I watch TV in the evenings, their beady eyes glowing from our inside lamps. Behind raccoons, they are probably the most common roadkill seen along highways during these fall months as they are on the move looking for food and winter shelter.
Pity the poor opossum. The oft-maligned marsupial definitely suffers from an image problem — it is frequently perceived more as a giant, dirty, scavenging rat rather than a cute creature of the wild. But whether you love them or hate them, North America’s only marsupial has a set of unique characteristics that might transform aversion into affection.
Is it opossum or possum? In 1608, Capt. John Smith coined the word opossum from the word “opassum,” the Algonquian term meaning “white animal.” In his notes, the captain wrote: “An Opassom hath an head like a Swine, and a taile like a Rat, and is of the bignes of a Cat. Under her belly she hath a bagge, wherein shee lodgeth, carrieth, and sucketh her young.”
No one is quite sure how the opossum’s “o” was dropped, but it appeared in print as “possum” as early as 1613, and remains the colloquial term in many regions of the country. However, there are true possums – just not in the North American neck of the woods. Possums include any of several species (from the family Phalangeridae) of nocturnal, arboreal marsupials of Australia and New Guinea, and were mistakenly named in the 18th century when the naturalist from Capt. James Cook’s expedition wrongly called them possums after their North American cousins. Nonetheless, it’s the Australian ones that hold the true scientific title of “possum” now.
About Opossums
There are several dozen different species of opossum, which are often called possums in North America. The most notable is the Virginia opossum or common opossum—the only marsupial (pouched mammal) found in the United States and Canada.
Reproduction
A female opossum gives birth to helpless young as tiny as honeybees. Babies immediately crawl into the mother’s pouch, where they continue to develop. As they get larger, they will go in and out of the pouch and sometimes ride on the mother’s back as she hunts for food. Opossums may give birth to as many as 20 babies in a litter, but fewer than half of them survive. Some never even make it as far as the pouch.
Scavenger Behavior
Opossums are scavengers, and they often visit human homes or settlements to raid garbage cans, dumpsters, and other containers. They are attracted to carrion and can often be spotted near roadkill. Opossums also eat grass, nuts, and fruit. They will hunt mice, birds, insects, worms, snakes, and even chickens.
“Playing Possum”
These animals are most famous for “playing possum.” When threatened by dogs, foxes, or bobcats, opossums sometimes flop onto their sides and lie on the ground with their eyes closed or staring fixedly into space. They extend their tongues and generally appear to be dead. This ploy may put a predator off its guard and allow the opossum an opportunity to make its escape.
Tree Climbing
Opossums are excellent tree climbers and spend much of their time aloft. They are aided in this by sharp claws, which dig into bark, and by a long prehensile (gripping) tail that can be used as an extra limb. Opossums nest in tree holes or in dens made by other animals.
Activity
Opossums are nocturnal – active mainly after dark. Although they do not hibernate, they are often less active during the winter. Opossums tend to be solitary animals and live alone when they are not breeding.
These animals are widespread and are sometimes hunted as food, particularly in the southern United States.
Scientific Name of the Virginia Opossum: Didelphis virginiana
Average Size: 21-36″ long (including tail); 4-15 lbs.
Average Lifespan in the Wild: 1-2 years
Identifying Features: cat-sized body; gray fur with a white face; long pointy snout; round dark eyes and hairless ears; four paws; long, hairless tail spanning over 1/3 of its total body length.
KLEIN’S RECIPES OF THE MONTH—These are a selection of relatively simple recipes chosen by our staff. New recipes appear monthly. Enjoy!!
Facts for Cabbage
Different varieties of cabbages have varying nutritional strength: purple cabbage has more vitamin C, while the savoy has more vitamin A, calcium, iron and potassium. Cabbages are an excellent source of fiber and vitamin K, and a good source of vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
—Cabbage is one of the oldest vegetables in existence and continues to be a dietary staple throughout the world.
—Cabbage is a nutritional powerhouse that is an excellent source of manganese, vitamin B6, and folate; and a good source of thiamin, riboflavin, calcium, potassium, vitamin A, tryptophan, protein and magnesium.
—There are at least a hundred different types of cabbage grown throughout the world, but the most common types in the United States are the Green, Red, and Savoy varieties.
—Cabbage has virtually no fat. One cup of shredded raw cabbage contains 50 calories and 5 grams of dietary fiber.
—Cabbage can be steamed, boiled, braised, microwaved, stuffed, or stir-fried, and eaten raw.
—One cup of shredded raw cabbage contains 190% of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C.
—Cabbage is an excellent source of vitamin K. 1 cup (150 grams) of shredded, boiled cabbage contains 91% of the recommended daily amount of vitamin K.
—Cabbage and its relatives (broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts) are rich sources of phytochemicals, naturally-occurring plant chemicals that may protect people against some forms of cancer.
—Cultures in which cabbage is a staple food, such as in Poland and some parts of China, show a low incidence of breast cancer. Research suggests this is due to the protective effect of sulfur-containing compounds in cabbage.
Source: www.wafarmtoschool.org
BRAISED CABBAGE WITH VINEGAR—A traditional German inspired recipe from Bon Apetit, October 2010.
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
4 cloves crushed garlic
1x 2 1/2lb. red cabbage, quartered, cored and cut crosswise into 1/2” strips
1/2 tsp. caraway seed
1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
3 TBS. red wine vinegar
Heat the oil in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the onion and the garlic and cook until tender and browning. Add the cabbage and caraway and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Toss the cabbage over medium high heat until the cabbage is wilted, about 5 minutes. Add the broth, reduce the heat to low and simmer about 15 minutes. Add the vinegar, cover and cook, stirring occasionally until tender, about 15 minutes. Reseason to taste. Serves 6.
THE PERFECT CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE–From Great Good Food by Julee Rosso. This party-sized recipe serves 12 and makes for great leftovers! Adjust amounts as needed for your family.
5 lbs. corned beef, trimmed of fat
3 bay leaves
1 TBS. caraway seeds
freshly ground pepper
12 large onions
12 large carrots cut into 3” pieces
3 green cabbages, quartered
1 cup fresh chopped parsley
Mustard Sauce and/or Horseradish Sauce (recipes follow)
Place the meat in a very large, heavy stock pot and cover it with water. Bring to a boil and skim the surface. Add the bay leaves, caraway and pepper. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour. Add the onions and carrots; cover and cook 30 minutes. Add the cabbage and cook another 30 minutes.
Slice the meat and arrange it on a large platter, surrounded with the vegetables and sprinkled with the parsley. Pass the sauces at the table.
HORSERADISH SAUCE–Use with corned beef, roast beef, smoked fish or as a dip. Yields one cup.
3 TBS. grated horseradish
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup cottage cheese
With a whisk, whip together the yogurt and cottage cheese then blend in the horseradish and the mustard. Refrigerate.
MUSTARD SAUCE–Use with corned beef, fish or burgers. Yields 3/4 cup.
6 TBS. Dijon mustard
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
1/4 cup sour cream
Combine all of the ingredients and refrigerate until needed.
CABBAGE & BACON—True comfort food if you’re a fan of old-fashioned cooked cabbage. Source: Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food from April 2011.
1 tsp. oil
1 8 oz. pkg. bacon cut into 1/2” pcs.
1 medium onion, thin sliced
1 3lb. head of cabbage cut into 1” pcs.
1/4 cup rice or cider vinegar
1/4 cup sugar, agave nectar or honey
3 TBS. soy cauce
In a large, heavy pot, heat a little oil on medium high and cook the bacon until crisp. Transfer to a plate and set aside. Add the onion and the cabbage to the bacon drippings and cook, stirring occasionally 10 minutes or until wilted. Add the vinegar, sugar and soy sauce and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender crisp, about 10 minutes more. Stir in the reserved bacon, heat and serve. Serves 6.
OMA’S BAVARIAN BRAISED CABBAGE—Grandma’s traditional cooked cabbage recipe brought directly from the homeland. There’s a certain sweet/sourness to this braised cabbage dish that’s like eating candy! A Klein’s staff member’s very favorite cooked cabbage go-to recipe.
2 – 3 Tbs. olive oil
1 onion, sliced
3 Tbs. sugar
1 garlic clove, crushed
1/2 large white (green) cabbage, coarsely chopped
salt, pepper
1 tsp. caraway seeds
1 cup water or broth of choice
1 Tbs. vinegar (to taste, optional)
In large pot, heat olive oil. Add onions and brown slightly. Add sugar and let caramelize.
Add cabbage, garlic, caraway seeds, and water or broth. Season with salt and pepper.
Bring to boil and simmer, covered, about ½ hour or until cabbage is tender, stirring occasionally and adding extra water if needed. Season with more salt and pepper if necessary and add vinegar if desired. Serves 4.
NATURAL NEWS–
Homemade and Natural Leaf Shines for Houseplants Made Easy
By Irum Sarfaraz @ www.hunker.com
The first step toward shiny houseplant leaves is to ensure that the plants are healthy, well-groomed and clean. Just like all surfaces in the house, leaves gather dust as well. Plants also filter dust with their transpiration process from the air. If dust is removed from plant leaves regularly, it not only helps to ensure their sheen but improves their natural transpiration and photosynthesis process. There are a number of natural easy ways to shine houseplant leaves.
Milk Mixture—Mix together equal parts of milk and water, and use the mixture to wipe plant leaves. This is highly effective in enhancing the natural shine of plant leaves.
Soap and Water—Make a wash with a mild dish soap mixed in water. Dampen a cloth or tissue in soap water, and clean the plants. Make sure you are only wiping the leaves gently and not scrubbing them.
Mayonnaise— Using a paper towel, rub mayonnaise gently on houseplant leaves to get a glossy sheen. This also keeps dust from settling on the leaves.
Banana Peels— Using banana peels is an organic way to shine houseplant leaves. Take a banana peel and using the softer inner part rub the surface of the leaves. The natural oils in the peel will shine the leaves and will provide a fragrance in the house. Use peels once a week or whenever plants are looking drab.
NOVEMBER’S PLANT OF THE MONTH:
MONSTERA or SPLIT-LEAF PHILODENDRON (Monstera deliciosa)
Split-leaf philodendron, Swiss cheese plant, or windowleaf (Monstera deliciosa) is a tropical plant native to rainforests of Central America from southern Mexico to Panama, and commonly grown as a foliage houseplant. It was introduced into cultivation in England in 1752. It is the only ornamental aroid also grown for its fruit. In spite of its common name, it is not a member of the genus Philodendron (it was formerly classified in that genus) but is in the same family (Araceae). It has glossy, heart-shaped or rounded leathery leaves that develop deep clefts and oblong perforations as they grow older. The leaves may be as much as 18” wide on foot-long leafstalks. The cultivars ‘Variegata’ and ‘Albovariegata’ have variegated foliage, and the leaves tend to be somewhat smaller than the species.
In nature this plant is actually an evergreen liana, a trailing or climbing epiphytic vine, which grows high into the rainforest canopy. It can grow 70 feet or more and rarely branches. The heavy, cylindrical, 2½ -3” stems are rough with leaf scars.
It produces numerous, long, tentacle-like aerial roots as it grows upward which attach to nearby branches and tree trunks. The tough roots grow downward from the thick stem and will root if they touch the ground.
The young plants appear very different. Seedlings grow toward the darkest area until they encounter a tree, then they grow upwards. The leaves are small and without lobes or holes, and they grow closely overlapping each other up the tree trunk in a stage called “shingle plants.” As they grow older they develop the characteristic foliage of the mature plant. The fenestrations (holes in the leaves) theoretically are a way of allowing high winds to pass through the large leaves without tearing them.
The flowers, which are rarely if ever seen on houseplants, are a 8-12” long, creamy-white, Jack-in-the-pulpit type. The fleshy upright spike (spadix) with tiny flowers is surrounded by the boat-shaped spathe. It takes a little over a year for the fruit to mature, swelling into a 9” cone-like structure that looks sort of like a green cob of corn with hexagonal kernels. The edible fruits, called cerimans or monsteras, supposedly taste like a combination of banana, pineapple and mango and are high in potassium and Vitamin C. They are used to flavor drinks and ice cream, or are eaten fresh. The fruit ripens from the bottom up. Once the thick, hard rind of hexagonal plates or “scales” covering the individual segments begin to dry out and fall away, the off-white, custard-like pulp underneath is cut away from the inedible core to eat. There usually are no seeds, but occasionally pale-green, hard seeds the size of large peas, may occur in some of the segments.
The plant contains oxalic acid, so all parts are poisonous except the ripe fruits. Young fruit, that still has the covering firmly attached, contains enough glass-like calcium oxalate crystals to cause immediate and painful irritation to the throat.
As a houseplant, split-leaf philodendron does best in bright light in summer and direct sun in winter. It can be grown under florescent light, but will not develop the leaf perforations when light is inadequate. It prefers warm room temperature and medium to high humidity, but is fairly tolerant of a wide range of conditions once acclimated. Plants do not grow below 50ºF, however, and frost will kill them.
Grow split-leaf philodendron in a rich soil mix, with ample root room to promote larger leaf growth. They can be very vigorous growers and need support to keep the stems from breaking. Provide a tree bark or strong, moss-covered support sunk into the pot for the aerial roots to attach to. Sphagnum moss wrapped around a wooden slat, secured with monofilament fishing line or nylon thread, will work well. Water thoroughly and allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings, being sure to also water the moss-covered support so the aerial roots can obtain water and nutrients. The leaves will “sweat” if the growing medium is too moist. If this happens, reduce watering to prevent root rot.
Plants kept on the dry side will have slower growth. Water less in winter. Fertilize regularly from spring until fall. The leaf edges will turn brown if humidity is too low. Wipe the dust from the leaves periodically. This plant has few pests indoors, but may be infested by aphids, mealybugs, scale insects or spider mites.
Container-grown plants need frequent repotting to accommodate the root system. They can be moved outside for the summer, but need to be acclimated to higher light levels gradually or will sunburn.
Propagate from stem cuttings from mature plants or by air layering or simple layering any time of the year. Cut the tip of the stem just below an aerial root and pot the cutting. For more plants, cut the vine into 1-foot sections, press the sections half way into the surface of a bed of rooting medium (such as a mixture of leafmold and sand), and then transplant when roots have developed. Plants can be grown from seed, but seedlings require warm temperatures and are slow to develop.
By Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin-Madison from the Master Gardener website @ wimastergardener.org
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.
Herb Faire
Saturday, November 3, 9:00-3:00
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
The Herb Faire annually sponsored by the Madison Herb Society, reaches out to the public through lectures and demonstrations and provides an outlet for members to expand their knowledge and abilities to use herbs.
Hear about herbs from speakers and vendors. Purchase herbal products. Make & take projects, demonstrations, and a Q & A station. Free! Sponsored by the Madison Herb Society. Visit www.madisonherbsociety.org.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Botanic Talk: Growing Healthy Plants – Basics in Plant Disease Management
Saturday, November 10, from 10:00-11:30 a.m
Learn about common methods for disease control, their pros and cons, and how you can adapt these techniques for use in your own home garden with Brian Hudelson, from the Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
$7 general admission, $5 RBG Members; this event includes printed and note taking materials (where applicable), you will have access to Rotary Botanical Gardens’ grounds, and light refreshments. You may purchase tickets to this event at the door, or online, in advance. No registration necessary.
Rotary Botanical Gardens
1455 Palmer Drive
Janesville, WI,
608/752-3885 or www.rotarybotanicalgardens.
Winter Planter Workshop
Thursday, November 15, 5:30-7:00
D.C. Smith Greenhouse, 465 Babcock Dr., Madison
The arrival of winter doesn’t mean that your outdoor planters are done for the year. Give them some winter love and wow your holiday guests when they come to your door. You’ll learn how to assemble the best winter arrangement for your front porch or patio. Supplies are included for one arrangement, and additional arrangements can be made for $20/each via cash at the workshop.
$30 ($24 Members)
Allen Centennial Gardens
620 Babcock Dr. on the University of WI campus, Madison
608/576-2501 or allencentennialgarden.org for details.
Rotary Botanical Gardens’ Holiday Light Show
November 23-25 & 30, December 6-9, 13-16, 20-23 and December 27-30
Experience the magic of over 500,000 twinkling lights at the 2018 Holiday Light Show and with an extended route. In addition to being a beloved community and regional event, the Holiday Light Show serves as a major fundraiser for Rotary Botanical Gardens and creates significant economic impact to the Janesville area.
FREE shuttle service to make getting to and from the show easier. Visitors can park at Dawson Field (920 Beloit Ave.) beginning at 4:15, catch the shuttle and be delivered right to the front door of the Gardens. After you’ve enjoyed the show the shuttle will return you to Dawson Field.
Doors open 4:30 pm. Last ticket sold 8:30 pm.
Admission is $5 for those aged 2 & up.
Tickets available at the door or online at Holiday Light Show
Rotary Botanical Gardens
1455 Palmer Dr., Janesville, WI
608/752-3885 or www.rotarybotanicalgardens.
Wreath Workshop
Thursday, November 29, 5:30-7:00
D.C. Smith Greenhouse, 465 Babcock Dr., Madison
Ring in the holiday season with this one of a kind wreath made by you! Create an 18” wreath (finished size 30-36”) using foraged greens and materials from the Garden. Garden staff will provide guidance and tips for creating your most beautiful wreath. Enjoy snacks and drinks at this festive holiday workshop.
$40 ($32 Members)
Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/wreath-
Allen Centennial Gardens
620 Babcock Dr. on the University of WI campus, Madison
608/576-2501 or allencentennialgarden.org for details.
Dane County Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, April 14 thru November 10, 6:15-1:45
On the Capitol Square
Wednesdays, April 18 thru November 7, 8:30-1:45
In the 200 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
For details visit www.dcfm.org
Dane County Holiday Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, November 17 thru December 22, 7:30-noon
Monona Terrace
The Holiday Dane County Farmer’s Market is located in the majestic Monona Terrace. This bustling market features more than 60 vendors and is your one-stop shop for all of your local food needs for the holidays!
For details visit www.dcfm.org
NOVEMBER IN THE GARDEN—A checklist of things to do this month.
___Visit Olbrich, Rotary or Allen Centennial Gardens and note plants of fall interest for
spring planting and best selection.
___Put up all bird feeders and fill daily as needed. Begin feeding raw suet.
___Make water available to the birds. Begin using a de-icer as needed.
___Dig new beds now! It’s easier now than in spring when super-busy.
___Continue planting spring bulbs till the ground freezes.
___Plant bulbs for forcing and put in a cool location for 10-12 weeks.
___Stop feeding houseplants and cut back on watering.
___Continue planting deciduous shrubs and trees until the ground freezes.
___Clean up stalks and leaves of annuals and vegetables, preventing viruses and pests
for next year’s garden.
___Continue harvesting brussels sprouts, kale, greens and root crops.
___Cut perennials back to 4-6”, leaving those for winter interest.
___Make notes in your garden journal for changes, improvements, etc.
___Mow the lawn at shortest setting for last mowing of the season.
___Ready lawnmower and tiller for winter. Prep the snowblower.
___Keep gutters clear of leaves and debris.
___Clean empty pots and containers for winter storage.
___Purchase marsh hay and rose protection. Wait till the ground freezes to apply.
___Wrap trunks of susceptible trees to protect from rodents.
___Visit Klein’s—The poinsettias are just about ready. Look for end of the season savings on all remaining spring bulbs.
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 NOVEMBER:
—Our employees prep the store inside and out for the upcoming holidays.
—Wreaths, roping and pine boughs arrive mid-month from northern Wisconsin.
—Violas, hardy annuals and herbs continue to arrive for next February’s Garden Expo at the Alliant Energy Center.
—Most plant material has been ordered for the 2019 growing season. We order early to ensure you best selection in spring.
PERMANENT FEATURES–
KLEIN’S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
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.
THE MAD GARDENER–“Madison’s Firsthand Source for Expert Gardening Advice”
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.
TO WRITE A REVIEW OF KLEIN’S, PLEASE LINK TO
FACEBOOK
Follow Klein’s on Facebook where we post updates and photos on a regular basis.
TWITTER
Join Klein’s on Twitter where we post company updates and photos on a regular basis.
SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT
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.
RECYCLING POTS & TRAYS
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/
DELIVERY INFO
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
RELATED RESOURCES AND WEB SITES
University of Wisconsin Extension
1 Fen Oak Ct. #138
Madison, WI 53718
608/224-3700
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
608/262-4364
American Horticultural Society
Garden Catalogs (an extensive list with links)
Invasive Species
Community Groundworks
3601 Memorial Dr., Ste. 4
Madison, WI 53704
608/240-0409
Madison Area Master Gardeners (MAMGA)
Wisconsin Master Gardeners Program
Department of Horticulture
1575 Linden Drive
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Madison, WI 53706
608/265-4504
The Wisconsin Gardener
Allen Centennial Gardens
620 Babcock Dr.
Madison, WI 53706
608/262-8406
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
608/246-4550
Rotary Gardens
1455 Palmer Dr.
Janesville, WI 53545
608/752-3885
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888
University of Wisconsin-West Madison
Agricultural Research Center
8502 Mineral Point Rd.
Verona, WI 53593
608/262-2257
PLANTS POISONOUS TO CHILDREN:
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
PLANTS POISONOUS TO PETS:
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