September 2020 Newsletter

Specials may change as the month progresses and/or as supplies run out. Houseplants are not included in our end-of-season sales.

You can contact Klein’s in-house indoor plant experts by emailing to Houseplant Help for sound information and advice regarding indoor tropicals, succulents, blooming plants and so much more.

For many years, customers’ indoor plant questions have been directed to Klein’s Mad Gardener (see below). Now you have the opportunity to contact our indoor plant experts directly. We’ve posted a link on our home page and in our contacts 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.

We reserve the right to leave correspondence unanswered at our discretion. Please allow 2-3 days for a response.

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 on our home page and in our contacts 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.

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.

Monday thru Friday : 9:00-6:00

Saturday: 9:00-5:00

Sunday: 10:00-4:00

About September 1—The Spring Bulbs Arrive!! Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, alliums and much more arrive for fall planting. We suggest that you hold off planting spring bulbs until the weather cools in October. But shop early for best selection!

September 2–Full Moon

September 7–Labor Day. Special Store Hours: 10:00-4:00

September 13–Grandparents’ Day

September 18—Rosh Hashana Begins

September 22–Fall Begins

September 27—Yom Kippur Begins

A BIG THANK YOU for voting Klein’s Best Florist in this year’s Star of Madison Awards sponsored by madison.com and The Wisconsin State Journal. Your loyal patronage during these unusual times has been much appreciated. The success of online shopping @ https://kleinsfloral.com/shop and curbside pick up has surpassed all expectations and we only hope to improve on that as we continue online shopping into the future. We thank you for continuing all social distancing and mask mandates as they’re updated; making in store shopping at Klein’s a safe and pleasant experience.

Hi Carolyn,

Unfortunately maybe not. This is a fascinating piece I found online that I didn’t know…I knew one should have two viburnums near each other, but I didn’t know it was best to have two genetically different plants from the same species. Interesting!

“Most native viburnums, including Red Feather, are actually pretty self-incompatible and typically require cross-pollination for good fruit production. Two genetically different plants of the same species should be planted in reasonably close proximity. And, those genetically different plants must be in bloom at the same time so that visiting insect pollinators can do their job.

Unfortunately, nurseries and garden centers rarely explain this (or may not even know this) and may tell you to simply buy two of the same viburnums they have on hand (which may turn out to be genetically identical). Later, you wonder why the plants don’t bear fruit – a great disappointment if you want to provide fruit for birds and other wildlife.”

Source: https://www.ecobeneficial.com

Thanks for your question,

Klein’s Floral and Greenhouses appreciates your business! We’ve put together a wonderful rewards program for our loyal customers to provide you more gardening information, invitation only events, preferred pricing promotions as well as monthly e-mail newsletters. And, we make it easy for you to earn your rewards. There is no card to carry, we keep track of everything! And it’s FREE! Earn a point for every dollar you spend at Klein’s (excludes gift cards, services, tax and events outside premises). Points accumulate and do not expire. When you reach 200 points, you will receive $10 off your next purchase.

Your Privacy is Our Priority – Klein’s is committed to protecting the privacy of its customers. Therefore, you have our word that the information you give us will remain strictly confidential. We promise that we will not sell any personal identifying information (name, address, phone number, or email address) to any person, company, organization, or agency. Phone numbers are used to look up customers in store; we will not contact customers by phone.

Rewards members will automatically be added to our mailing lists. Most correspondence and notices will be sent via e-mail. You can expect e-mails to keep you up to date with happenings at the store, special notification by email of unannounced/unadvertised specials, sales, membership appreciation events and receipt of monthly newsletter “The Sage” packed with information and gardening tips!

The rewards program will automatically deduct your senior discount if you are 62 years old or more on Tuesdays. The loyalty program will also deduct your Master Gardener discount (must be updated annually).

It’s our way of saying thank you for your patronage of our business. We know you have other choices and are grateful that you have chosen us. It’s also a great way for us to connect with our best customers, give you tips and advice, and reward you with exclusive offers and savings.

To get started, simply click Rewards Program Sign-Up

Please note:

-Due to COVID, we are are not doing in store Rewards Program Sign-Up. Sign up is currently online only.

-No points are given for prior purchases. Returns will be deducted from Rewards point balances.

-Membership is non-transferrable and may only be used by an individual member for personal benefit. Businesses and organizations excluded, sorry!

-Program benefits may not be combined with other benefits accrued by another member or other group discount programs.

-Klein’s reserves the right to exclude certain purchases from our rewards program at our discretion. Klein’s reserves the right to modify or discontinue our rewards program at any time, with or without notice.

-Can’t find you receipt? If you used you rewards account then we can find it for you after your initial sign up information has been entered in our computer system!

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.

If your plants could speak, they would tell you that there’s nothing better than a quality clay pot. Proper drainage gives their roots room to breathe, and superior clay holds in the moisture they need.

Choose from our three natural colors: cream, rosa and gray. The cream and rosa are classic pottery colors, while the gray is one that we created ourselves. All three colors are in step with popular trends in Scandinavian design and décor. (*Please note that Klein’s is carrying only pots in rosa and gray at this time)

The clay is fired at very high temperatures, giving the pots a natural strength and a special treatment ensures that our saucers are completely waterproof, making our pots suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The high density of the clay, makes the pots frost resistant and allows air to the roots and retain moisture due to the superlative quality of the clay, thus giving plants the optimum growth conditions.

Bergs Potter’s pots are created with love in Tuscany. We take pride in the beauty and strength of our pots, made from premium clay. High quality materials and craftsmanship means the pots’ patinas will improve with age, and live on from one generation to the next.

Klein’s is carrying the following from the Bergs Potter® collections, selling the pots and the matching saucer as a set.

Copenhagen ‘Castle Pot’

We call this the Castle Pot since it is inspired by a pot made at the royal castle of Fredensborg, Denmark, in 1860. Over time, production moved to smaller potters in Copenhagen, where it was made until plastic pots began to grow in popularity in the 1960s. Steffen Berg found his inspiration in a beautiful pot he saw years ago in a former nursery. Today, our potters make the pot in a small village near Lucca in Tuscany.

Planets ‘Designed by Christian Buur Bangsgaard’

The Planet Series arose from versatile designer Christian Buur Bangsgaard’s fascination with modular structure, and features layered rings of different sizes. Taut design meets a soft finish, resulting in the line of pots called Saturn, Venus and Mars.

Bangsgaard has built his design reputation through working with ceramics, gardens, and paper clips. Charlottenborg and Traphold. He has received numerous awards including the Arts Award in Ceramics.

Simona ‘La Petite Française’

Simona is a romantic Parisian pot that we imagine has appeared in countless French homes since the peak of its popularity in the 1820s-1860s. It was first created in Paris’ Latin Quarter, but—alas!—the original artist’s name remains a mystery.

Years ago we spotted this delightful pot in the midst of a flea market in Montmartre. Today we have it made by our Tuscan potters.

Source: https://bergspotter.com

Last month I noted my favorite new vegetables from my garden. This month I’m highlighting the new-to-me and best annuals in my beds and pots. With the perfect summer weather we’ve been experiencing, this could be among the best gardening years I’ve experienced to date.

Begonia I’conia Portofino Citrix and Orange—I’conia begonias feature dark foliage and robust branching. Flowers are large and vibrant and persist throughout the season. Portofino is a newer line of I’Conia begonias that have been bred for larger flower size and even stronger branching. No pinching is required, and these plants are resilient. These are perhaps the best, showiest and longest lasting tuberous-type begonias I’ve grown to date. From Dummen and sold @ Klein’s in the spring.

Coleus Inferno—Boldly-patterned, saturated red-orange serrated foliage makes a red-hot impression in full sun or shade. Foliage is the star here. Low-maintenance, high-impact upright 14-28 inch plants are perfect for containers or massed in the landscape. From Ball Floraplant and sold @ Klein’s in the spring.

Coleus-Pinksplosion—Serrated leaves combine colors of hot pink, cream, and lime green on a vigorous, mounding plant that will fill a container in the course of a season and look great until hard frost. Grow from full sun to shade. 14-28” tall. From Ball Floraplant and sold @ Klein’s in the spring.

Lisianthus Arena Red—A refreshing new color for the lisianthus garden! These fully double, petal-packed blooms measure 3 inches wide and are simply packed with deep pink, scarlet, and red shades. I think they are absolutely stunning and so uniquely colored for lisianthus. That said, I found the stems to be weaker than either the Echo or ABC series for cutting, though descriptions say it has sturdy stems. Sold @ Klein’s in the spring.

Lysimachia FanciFillers Sunburst—This plant was built for hanging baskets! A very vigorous lysimachia with large, dark green leaves marked with red veins and stems. Despite the vigor, this plant plays well with others and just trails straight down, making a lush accent to the rest of the combination. As a bonus, the plants are loaded with large yellow, star-shaped blooms in late summer and autumn. A very cool looking basket plant!! From Westhoff and sold @ Klein’s in the spring.

Marigold Flamenco—This compact French Marigold is stunning! Each picotee flower flaunts bright yellow pastels bordered in reddish orange. Flamenco will not disappoint. Perfect for containers or in a flower bed, this marigold is jammed with flowers all summer long! From Park Seed.

Nasturtium Baby Rose—The first nasturtium to win AAS honors since the 1930’s. Plants have rich green foliage and a mounding habit that doesn’t flop over so the vibrant, rose red blooms remain upright through the season. Compact plants grow 12 inches high and tolerate harsh weather quite well. Blooms from summer until frost. From Jung Seed.

Petunia Easy Wave Lavender Sky Blue—Like all the Easy Waves, Lavender Sky Blue sets new blooms from the center as well as the ends of each stem, keeping the plant looking fresh and newly-opened month after month! Reaching just 6 to 12 inches high (depending upon how you choose to grow it) but prepared to spread up to 39 inches wide, this is a nonstop beauty for any sunny setting….and this Easy Wave is very fragrant to boot! From Jung Seed.

Salvia Roman Red—Large intense red tubular flowers emerge from deep red calyxes in tall spikes throughout the growing season on this vigorous yet compact tropical Salvia hybrid (Salvia darcyi x S. coccinea). Grows to 24-36” tall. A hummingbird magnet!! From Ball Floraplant and sold @ Klein’s in the spring.

Salvia Amante—Sister to the immensely popular ‘Amistad’, this new variety has bright fuchsia flowers couched in burgundy-black calyxes on tall stems, and a bushy vigorous habit. Amante is considered to be a “genetic breakthrough” in the color of the Salvia guaranitica group and this exciting new color offers a bright and bold addition to the pollinator garden. Grows to 4-5’ tall!! From Select Seed.

Vinca Double Soiree Pink—The Soiree Double Series is a new series of vinca. These plants have two layers of frilly petals and have a mounded, bushy habit. They are great in containers, either mixed with other plants or planted alone, as well as in landscape beds. Very unique, eye-catching and durable. From Suntory and sold @ Klein’s in the spring.

Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) of all types are among the star performers in the late summer garden. Today I took special note of the ‘Indian Summer’ in my garden, a true star among stars. It’s been a number of years since I had planted ‘Indian Summer’ in the garden. It’s 4+ inch golden, brown-centered blooms are held high on very stiff stems making them perfect for cutting. Blooms hold up for many days when brought indoors. This past AAS Winner is from the Rudbeckia hirta family of short-lived perennials. Because they are short-lived (usually about three seasons), they are usually treated as annuals and allowed to self-sow in the garden. However, as the years passed, I lost all plants in my garden as I experimented with all sorts of Rudbeckia hirta; ‘Cherokee Sunset’, ‘Autumn Colors’, ‘Irish Eyes’, ‘Denver Daisy’ and ‘Prairie Sun’ (yet another past AAS Winner). All have self-sown throughout the garden, but none match the beauty of ‘Indian Summer’ and it’s among the best cut flowers from my garden. I started my ‘Indian Summer’ rudbeckia from seed in my basement in mid-March.

On the other side of the coin are the Rudbeckias that are true perennials in Wisconsin gardens. The best known are Rudbeckia fulgida, with ‘Goldsturm’ by far the most popular choice. Few ‘natural’ gardens are without ‘Goldsturm’ somewhere mixed among the beds. ‘Goldsturm’ is also among the top plants used by the city of Madison in their median plantings; along with ‘Karl Foerster’ reed grass, ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum, ‘Stella D’oro’ daylily, ‘May Night’ salvia and ‘Walker’s Low’ catmint. ‘Goldsturm’ Rudbecka is reliably hardy, spreads nicely and remains relatively short with oodles of golden blooms on stiff stems. It’s no wonder it’s among the city’s favorite landscape choices.

Other favorite perennial Rudbeckias in my own beds include:

A long blooming variety with compact; clump-forming habit; branched stems with deeply lobed foliage; daisy-like, double, lemon-yellow flowers in July-Sept. Ht.: 36”.

Bright green, divided foliage; bright yellow flowers in Aug.-Sept. Ht.: 6-8’.

A long blooming Wisconsin native plant with clump-forming habit; downy, lance-shaped, upright foliage; daisy-like, dark brown-centered, yellow flowers in Aug-Sept. Ht.: 28-30”.

A Wisconsin native plant. A short-lived, self-sowing perennial with upright habit; 3 lobed foliage on hairy red-purple stems; large, dark chocolate cones with daisy-like, gold tipped, orange to burgundy flowers in July-Oct. Ht.: 3-4’.

Now that we’re entering late summer and with all of the goldenrods, black-eyed Susans, marigolds and coneflowers in full bloom the very common soldier beetles have appeared en masse. Swarms of beetles cover the flower heads in a constant flurry of activity as they search for food and breed seemingly nonstop. Because they are so common and taken very much for granted, few people realize that they are very beneficial garden predators and pollinators. The following article comes to us from Iowa State University @ www.ipm.iastate.edu

“Soldier beetles are a common outdoor insect that can be abundant accidental invaders as either larvae or adults. Soldier beetles are nicknamed leatherwings because of their soft, clothlike wing covers, which when brightly colored are reminiscent of uniforms. The beetles are elongate, soft-bodied and about 1/2-inch long. Colors vary from yellow to red with brown or black wings or trim. Soldier beetles resemble lightning bugs but do not have light-producing organs.

Soldier beetle larvae are long, slender and worm-like. The sides of the body appear rippled or scalloped because of indentations within each body segment. The body is covered with tiny dense bristles and appears velvety. Color is dark brown to gray. The larvae usually spend the winter in damp soil and debris or under loose bark. They are particularly abundant as accidental invaders inside the house in the fall when they are searching for protected locations in which to spend the winter.

Both adults and larvae are predacious and feed on other insects. The adults eat caterpillars, aphids, and other soft-bodied insects and can be important predators. As they lie in wait for prey on flowers such as goldenrod they may feed on nectar and pollen but they do no damage to the plants.

Since soldier beetles are beneficial and harmless it is unnecessary to control them. Larvae that enter a house in the fall are only a nuisance. Entry can be prevented by weather-stripping, caulking and other measures that seal likely points of entry. Spraying of either the exterior perimeter or the interior has little if any benefit. Soldier beetles already inside the house need only be swept or picked up and discarded.”

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

Now in season, sweet bell peppers are inexpensive and in no short supply. If you have more than you need from your garden, peppers freeze very well for winter use in soups, stews and casseroles, etc.; where the added moisture and soft texture aren’t important to the recipe. Simply slice your peppers in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and pack into a freezer bag. It’s that simple!! Use the pepper halves throughout the next year as needed. When ready to use, thaw the peppers slightly in the microwave. They’re much easier to slice or chop if they remain somewhat frozen. If your recipe calls for sautéed bell peppers, place the chopped peppers on a few sheets of paper towel in a bowl and continue to defrost in the microwave until completely thawed (but not cooking). Once thawed, simply squeeze out the extra water into the sink. You’re now able to sauté your once frozen peppers along with your onions, garlic, etc., in hot oil without the extra liquid that would cause spattering.

SWEET & SPICY PEPPERONATA–This recipe appeared a few years back in an issue of Cooking Light magazine. Serve as a side with grilled meats or as an appetizer spooned over grilled bread.

2 TBS. olive oil

1/2 tsp. coarse salt

2 lbs. assorted bell and hot peppers to taste, seeded and cut into strips

1 medium sliced onion

3 TBS. red wine vinegar

2 tsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

Heat a Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the oil and swirl to coat. Add the salt, peppers and onions. Sauté until the onions begin to brown, 3-4 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook, covered, 20 minutes, until the peppers are tender. Increase the heat to medium high and add the vinegar, sugar and thyme. Cook 15 minutes until all is tender, stirring occasionally. Serve warm or at room temp. Serves 6.

PEPPER SLAW–A great way to use up a lot of extra peppers. This recipe appeared in an issue of Everyday Food magazine.

2 TBS. white wine vinegar

2 tsp. Dijon mustard

4 TBS. extra virgin olive oil

coarse salt and pepper to taste

8 medium to large bell peppers–combine colors if possible for a festive slaw!!

2 stalks celery, halved lengthwise and sliced

1/4 tsp. dried thyme

In a large bowl, whisk together the vinegar, mustard and oil. Season. Add the veggies and thyme and toss. Reseason as desire and chill. Serves 8.

PICKLED PEPPERS–You all know how the nursery rhyme goes . . . well, here’s the recipe from the pages of Bon Appetit.

1 lb. bell peppers slice into 1/4” thick rounds

1 onion, thin sliced into rings

2 cups white wine vinegar

1/2 cup sugar

3 TBS. water

1 tsp. dried thyme

2 large garlic cloves, thin sliced

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

a pinch of coarse salt

Place the peppers and onions in a bowl. Mix together the rest of the ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil on medium; stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove the brine from the heat and pour over the peppers and the onions. Cover the bowl and let stand 5 minutes. Uncover and allow to cool to room temp. Transfer to a quart storage container, pressing the peppers into the brine. Cover and chill completely. Keeps well for a few weeks.

SWEET PEPPER SOUP–A soup where the peppers are the stars and not just the supporting players. From the Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home cookbook.

2 cups chopped onion

1 TBS. butter or vegetable oil of choice

6 cups chopped bell pepper

2 cups water or vegetable stock

1 cup sour cream

1/3 cup chopped fresh dill (1 generous TBS. dried)

2 TBS. lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

seasoned croutons (opt.)

Cook the onions in a covered pot over medium heat in the oil until barely softened. Add the peppers, cover and cook until just soft, stirring occasionally. Add the water, sour cream, dill and juice and blend with a handheld immersion blender, leaving pieces of pepper for texture (or blend in a food processor). Gently reheat and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with croutons. Serves 4-6.

BELL PEPPER SAUTE-This simple recipe comes from the pages of From Asparagus to Zucchini: A Guide to Farm-fresh, Seasonal Produce. This recipe serves four, but can easily be adjusted.

3 bell peppers cut into 1/4” wide strips–mix up colors for added interest

1 TBS. olive oil

1 clove finely minced garlic

1 TBS. balsamic or red wine vinegar

salt and pepper to taste

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the garlic, stirring constantly for 20-30 seconds. Add the peppers and cook, stirring constantly, until tender crisp, 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle with vinegar and season. Serve hot.

Now more than ever, it’s important for your immune system to stay in tip-top shape during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the best ways to stay healthy is by maintaining a nutritious diet. UC Davis Health registered dietitian Tiana Carey shares some foods that can help boost your immune system.

-Vitamin A (Beta Carotene)

This vitamin assists with the health of your intestines and respiratory system. Vitamin A-rich foods include carrots, sweet potato, spinach, broccoli and red bell peppers.

-Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps stimulate the formation of antibodies. Citrus fruits, strawberries, red bell pepper and kiwi are all rich in vitamin C.

-Vitamin E

This nutrient promotes the neutralization of free radicals by working as an antioxidant. Foods full of vitamin E include vegetable oils, nuts, seeds and avocado.

-Zinc

There are many zinc-dependent enzymes in our body and deficiency has been linked with immune dysfunction. Zinc-rich foods include beans, seeds, nuts, meat, poultry and seafood.

-Protein

Specific amino acids found in protein are essential for T-cell function, which are cells that protect the body against pathogens. Meats, poultry, seafood, eggs, beans, nuts and seeds all have lots of protein.

These nutrients have been shown to help your immune system work most efficiently and effectively, but too much of a good thing can be harmful. Eat these nutrients in moderation and don’t go overboard. If you eat too many carrots, you may just turn orange! As always with preventing the spread of illness, wash your hands frequently.

Source: https://health.ucdavis.edu/welcome

By Amanda Schiffler @ https://herbsathome.com

Growing bay laurel indoors should be considered by anyone who uses bay leaves for cooking and is looking to add to their indoor houseplant collection.

Also known as sweet bay or laurel, bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is a perennial evergreen in the Lauraceae family that is native to the Mediterranean region.

Laurel plants are rich in history. During the ancient Greek and Roman times, the leaves were woven together to create highly renowned crowns to adorn the heads of athletes and rulers. The trees were also grown close to temples so the foliage could be harvested and burned during sacred temple rituals.

Bay laurel is typically grown as a tree that can reach staggering heights upwards of 50-feet; it also works incredibly well as a container plant that moves between your outdoor and indoor spaces, or is kept indoors year-round. Plants display medium-sized, glossy green leaves that are highly aromatic and commonly used in cooking.

Bay leaves are most often used in many Mediterranean dishes, either as whole fresh bay leaves or the dried leaves are ground using a mortar and pestle.

Recipes for soups, stews, and casseroles may instruct you to throw a single, whole bay leaf or two into the dish while cooking and then removed prior to serving. Traditionally thyme, sage, and bay leaf – sometimes rosemary and tarragon too – are tied in a bundle known as a bouquet garni and added to the liquid of soups and stews for flavor.

In addition to its popularity in the kitchen, bay laurel has many helpful homeopathic uses too.

Bay laurel is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 8-11. In areas with cold climates (down to USDA zone 4 or 5) a bay leaf plant can be grown in a container as a patio plant during the warmer months and then brought inside and added to your indoor herb garden when temperatures drop.

Potted plants can also be ground indoors year-round, as they make a gorgeous addition to your home’s decor.

To achieve the lush foliage on bay trees make sure to put them in a location that receives full sun to partial shade. Exposure to a south or west-facing window is best when grown indoors.

If you see signs of too little light you can supplement with a grow light or even try giving it some exposure to extra fluorescent light.

Bay laurel is somewhat indifferent to fluctuations in temperatures, as long as they are above freezing and stay below 90℉. Keep your tree in the main living areas of your home where temperatures range between 60 and 75℉ for optimum growth; below this and growth will slow considerably as the plant will think it’s time to go dormant.

Due to the Mediterranean origin, bay laurel prefers high humidity levels. Humidity levels inside most homes are on the drier side; to combat this periodically mist your tree when grown indoors or grow it in a high humidity area of the home such as the bathroom.

Plants like the potting mix or growing media to be slightly moist at all times without being waterlogged. Water regularly during the warmer months, making sure to not let the root ball dry out. During the dormant season, you can ease up on the watering slightly, letting the top inch of growing media dry out before watering again.

Wait to harvest leaves until your tree is at least two years old. Then use sharp scissors or pruning shears to remove the foliage you desire.

After harvesting, lay fresh leaves on a parchment paper-covered tray in a single layer and allow to dry for a couple of weeks in a warm, dry room in your house. Then store the whole dried bay leaves in an airtight container or grind them up for future use.

SEPTEMBER IN THE GARDEN-–A checklist of things to do this month.

___Continue sowing lettuce, endive, escarole and spinach.

___Plant garlic now! This is the best time in Wisconsin.

___Plant bearded iris rhizomes and transplant peonies.

___Harvest pumpkins and winter squash.

___Apply a systemic pesticide to plants to be wintered over indoors.

___Continue planting shrubs and trees.

___Plant grass seed. September is one of the best times as nights cool.

___Aerate your lawn.

___Divide and plant perennials as desired.

___Stop deadheading perennials for winter interest, i.e. sedums, grasses, etc.

___Dig tender bulbs as the foliage yellows.

___Give the garden at least 1” of moisture per week.

___Collect seeds for next year’s garden.

___Make notes in your garden journal for changes, improvements, etc.

___Take pictures of your garden for record keeping.

___Keep and eye on the weather. Water as needed.

___Shop for spring bulbs, mums and pansies.

___Bring dormant amaryllis bulb indoors for 3 mo. of rest.

___Begin checking out the garden centers for spring bulb selection.

___Take cuttings of geraniums, coleus and other plants to winter over.

___Late in the month, begin planting spring bulbs, but wait as long as possible.

___Begin moving houseplants back indoors.

___Visit Klein’s—Great selection of mums, kales, cabbages, pansies & more!

Some of our very favorite seed and plant sources include:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

—The poinsettias continue grow and thrive in our back greenhouses. They’re almost ready to bring into our retail greenhouses before the weather gets too cold.

—Crops arrive for winter sales: cyclamen, azaleas.

—We begin weatherizing the greenhouses for winter.

—All remaining perennials are cut back, cleaned up and put into winter storage.

—We continue stocking fall mums as they go into bloom. We’ll continue to have a good selection into November.

—Ordering plants for spring 2021 is going on fast and furious. Our growers order early to ensure best selection. They pore over stacks of catalogs containing the newest plant material for 2021.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A minimum order of $25.00 is required for delivery.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

University of Wisconsin Extension

608/224-3700

Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic

Dept. of Plant Pathology

Insect Diagnostic Lab

240 Russell Labs

U.W. Soil and Plant Analysis Lab

608/262-4364

American Horticultural Society

Garden Catalogs (an extensive list with links)

also http://www.mailordergardening.com/

Invasive Species

Community Groundworks

3601 Memorial Dr., Ste. 4

Madison, WI 53704

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

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

•Bird of paradise

•Bull nettle

•Castor bean

•Chinaberry tree

•Crocus

•Daffodil

•Deadly nightshade

•Dieffenbachia (dumb cane)

•Foxglove

•Glory lily

•Hemlock

•Holly berry

•Indian tobacco

•Iris

•Jimsonweed

•Lantana

•Larkspur

•Lily of the valley

•Marijuana

•Mescal bean

•Mexicantes

•Mistletoe

•Morning glory

•Mountain laurel

•Night-blooming jasmine

•Nutmeg

•Oleander

•Philodendron

•Poison ivy

•Poison sumac

•Pokeweed

•Poppy

•Potato

•Privet

•Rhododendron

•Rhubarb

•Water hemlock

•Wisteria

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

•Aconite

•Apple

•Arrowgrasses

•Autumn Crocus

•Azaleas

•Baneberry

•Bird-of-Paradise

•Black locust

•Bloodroot

•Box

•Buckeye

•Buttercup

•Caladium

•Carolina jessamine

•Castor bean

•Chinaberry tree

•Chockcherries

•Christmas berry

•Christmas Rose

•Common privet

•Corn cockle

•Cowbane

•Cow cockle

•Cowsliprb

•Daffodil

•Daphne

•Day lily

•Delphinium (Larkspur)

•Dumbcane

•Dutchman’s breeches

•Easter lily

•Elderberry

•Elephant’s ear

•English Ivy

•European Bittersweet

•Field peppergrass

•Foxglove

•Holly

•Horsechestnut

•Horse nettle

•Hyacinth

•Iris

•Jack-in-the-pulpit

•Jerusalem Cherry

•Jimsonweed

•Lantana

•Larkspur

•Laurels

•Lily of the valley

•Lupines

•Mayapple

•Milk vetch

•Mistletoe

•Monkshood

•Morning glory

•Mustards

•Narcissus

•Nicotiana

•Nightshade

•Oaks

•Oleander

•Philodendrons

•Pokeweed

•Poinsettia

•Poison hemlock

•Potato

•Rhododendron

•Rhubarb

•Rosary pea

•Sago palm

•Skunk cabbage

•Smartweeds

•Snow-on-the-mountain

•Sorghum

•Star of Bethlehem

•Wild black cherry

•Wild radish

•Wisteria

•Yellow jessamine

•Yew