‘THE SAGE’-Klein’s Online Newsletter—FEBRUARY 2021
Klein’s Floral & Greenhouses
608/244-5661 or info@kleinsfloral.com
THIS MONTH’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Our ‘Mad Gardener’ and ‘Houseplant Help‘ Are Ready for Your Questions
Ever Thought about Working at a Garden Center?
Pre-Valentine’s Day Greetings from Klein’s Floral Department!
An Apple a Day…and Bromeliads?
Online Green Thumb Gardening Class Series from the UW-Extension
Klein’s Favorite Seed, Bulb & Plant Sources
You Asked about Rubber Tree Propagation
Plant of the Month: Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomiodes)
Klein’s Favorite Oven-roasted Potato Recipes
Product Spotlight: Seeds from Hudson Valley Seed Company
Notes from Rick’s Garden Journal—From January 2021
—Things That Go Wrong
—Bottom Heat for Seed Germination
—About House Finches
February in the Garden: A Planner
Gardening Events Around Town
Join Us on Twitter
Follow Us on Facebook
EVER THOUGHT ABOUT WORKING AT A GARDEN CENTER?
Now is the time to stop in and ask for an application or fill one out at Employee Application. We’re primarily looking for seasonal, part-time retail help. Responsibilities include customer service, stocking, etc. Retail experience and computer skills are a plus. Benefits include our generous discount and a hands-on opportunity in a horticultural setting. Hours can be flexible. If possible, we’re seeking people with 20 or more hours availability per week. Some weekend and evening shifts are expected. Seasonal positions usually begin during March and/or early April and run into early June.
In addition, we are currently seeking people to work primarily in our perennial and shrub area. These positions will run from about mid-April into the late summer and fall as needed. We’re looking for those who are available about 24 hours/week; more in the spring and less as the summer progresses. Some weekend and evening shifts are expected. A basic knowledge of our area’s most popular perennials and shrubs is helpful. Please call the store @ 608-244-5661 or stop by and ask for Rick if you are interested in this position.
KLEIN’S ‘HOUSEPLANT HELP’
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.
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 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.
FEBRUARY STORE HOURS:
Monday thru Friday : 8:00-6:00
Saturday: 9:00-5:00
Sunday: 10:00-4:00
Special Valentine’s Hours:
Saturday, February 13: 8:00-5:00
Sunday, February 14: 8:00-5:00
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
February 2–Ground Hog Day
February 7—Super Bowl Sunday
February 12—Chinese New Year
February 14–Valentine’s Day. Order early for guaranteed delivery. We deliver throughout Madison and most of Dane County
February 15–Presidents’ Day
February 16—Mardi Gras
February 17—Ash Wednesday
February 20 & 21—PBS Wisconsin’s Virtual Garden and Landscape Expo
The safety of our attendees, presenters, exhibitors and volunteers is paramount. Therefore, PBS Wisconsin has made the difficult — yet necessary — decision to cancel our 2021 in-person Garden & Landscape Expo.
While not meeting together at the Alliant Energy Center in February, we plan to unite and engage the gardening community virtually, sharing inspiration and educational opportunities. See schedule details and register at www.wigardenexpo.com.
February 26—Purim Starts
February 27—Full Moon
‘THE FLOWER SHOPPE’:
Pre-Valentine’s Day Greetings from Klein’s Floral Department!
My name is Darcy and I am the lead floral consultant at Klein’s. Along with my amazing team of talented designers, Andrea, Sue and Bonnie, we hope this finds you safe and healthy.
It’s hard to believe that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and that at this time last year, ‘COVID pandemic’ wasn’t even in our vocabulary. Our planning for this big floral day began two months ago, and believe it or not, I had to have my flower orders to my wholesalers on December 16th!
Our floral department is comprised of a team of talented and creative designers that are here to fashion something beautiful for that special someone in your life. Nothing says “I love you” more than a spectacular, fresh, and custom designed floral bouquet. You can choose from arrangements on our website @ kleinsfloral.com (choose the floral tab), or let our designers create a one-of-a-kind bouquet for your Valentine. We love doing bouquets that are tailored to your special someone. When placing an order, your designer is going to ask you for some helpful hints, such as a favorite color or favorite flower that your Valentine might enjoy. It’s time to do a little sleuthing before the big day!
There are a few things that we’d like to highlight in regards to Valentine’s Day 2021. If you haven’t ordered for a while, the pandemic has brought about a few changes to our processes. We pride ourselves in being able to provide you with the best customer service experience in the area. Here are some important tips that will ensure that your Valentine is well taken care of:
1. ORDER EARLY! This is extremely important given the fact that we are still dealing with COVID. This past year, COVID has greatly affected supply and demand in regards to product. As stated, our floral orders were placed with wholesalers in mid-December and even though we will be able to purchase additional product, we may be limited in regards to what is available. Please be open to substitutions and aware that we might run out of a particular vase or container. We will reach a point during the weekend when we cannot take any more delivery orders. Pick-up is always an available option for you.
2. DELIVERY: We continue to deliver within our normal delivery areas (please see our website for that information). WE WILL NOT GUARANTEE SPECIFIC DELIVERY TIMES FOR VALENTINE’S DAY ORDERS. We will try our best to accommodate an a.m. or p.m. specified delivery. We WILL require a phone number for not only you, but for the recipient as well. Due to the cold, floral orders currently cannot be left outside, and we are still doing no contact deliveries. What does that mean? We will ring the bell or knock, place the order on the porch, step back and wait for someone to come to the door. If the recipient isn’t home, the door is tagged, the order comes back to the shop, and we leave a voicemail and arrange re-delivery. We will be delivering on Sunday since Valentine’s falls on that day. We will be not make deliveries after 5:00.
3. SHOP HOURS: We will be open on Saturday and Sunday, February 13 and 14, from 8:00 until 5:00. Designers will be available to help you select something from our cooler. It will be stocked with beautiful arrangements and “grab and go” bouquets!! We will also have a large selection of blooming plants, mylar balloons, teddy bears and wonderful scented soaps and lotions that you can add to your floral order.
4. SPECIALS: On our website @ kleinsfloral.com, we will be offering several Klein’s custom designed bouquets for your purchase. If you have shopped at the store recently and purchased a Klein’s custom calendar, there is a Valentine’s Day coupon in the back coupon section. We cannot apply this coupon to a phone order. You will need to come into the store to use the coupon. We do have a few calendars left for purchase.
We look forward to assisting you with your Valentine’s Day order!! Thank you for being a Klein’s customer. We appreciate your continued business and remember to order early!
YOU ASKED. . .
Attached is a picture of a plant I took over the care for of a past co-worker 5 years ago after they left. It has gotten massive and I love it. Is this a plant, that I can cut off part of it (a limb, not from the roots) and would it grow if in water or soil to start? Do I need to repot again? I just did last summer. Thanks! Jody
Hi Jody,
Your plant is a rubber tree (Ficus elastica) and rather than a sprawling bush, it’s generally grown as an upright tree. I’ve never seen one that looks quite like yours. At some point in the past it was probably pruned incorrectly (unless this was the desired look @ the time)…..BUT…it is VERY, VERY healthy and loves whatever you’re doing!!!
Rubber trees are a woody plant so doing cuttings in water tend not to work well. The cuttings may send out roots, but then transferring to soil can be iffy.
My preferred technique is to stick the 6-8″ tip cuttings directly into well-moistened soil in 5-6″ plastic pots. I usually tie them to a stick alongside so they stay upright until rooted. Next place the pot(s) in a clear plastic bag and seal tightly. Place your pot(s) in a warm and bright spot, but never direct sunlight as not to “cook” them. The plastic bag forms a self-contained environment. You won’t need open the bag or need to water the cuttings while they are rooting out. The cuttings should be well-rooted in about 6-8 weeks and the bag removed. A few leaves may yellow and drop, but that’s OK so long as there is healthy new growth.
Late March or April is the best time to take cuttings as the days lengthen. I would do several cuttings so you can choose the best to keep (or give away if you have great success). By taking cuttings, the parent plant will branch even more and continue growing wider (rather than taller) over time. At some point down the road (years maybe) you will have to do a drastic pruning to reshape it and prevent it from get even floppier.
Seeing as you just repotted the parent plant last summer, you can now let it go for 5 years+ before repotting again; keeping in mind that if repotted, it will grow even larger. Late winter through early summer is the best time for repotting.
Thanks for your question,
DID YOU KNOW. . .
. . . that apples have a spectacular effect on our most common indoor bromeliads? They cause them to flower!
This is a secret known for generations by commercial growers, based on a simple fact: Bromeliads (Guzmania, Aechmea, Neoregelia, etc.) are exceptionally sensitive to ethylene, a gas given off by apples as they ripen. If a mature, two to three year old plant receives the right amount of ethylene, it will flower. To try this at home, encase a bromeliad, pot and all, in a clear plastic bag. Add an apple and seal the bag. Keep the bagged plant out of sunshine for a few days. Then remove the plant from the bag, discard the apple, and put the bromeliad back in its usual place. The plant should start to show color and then bloom in a month. If nothing happens after about 40 days, try the procedure agains. And because pineapples are bromeliads, they can be stimulated to produce using this method. Please note that if the plant is too young to flower, it won’t with initial tries.
Source: Western Publishing Co.
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.
Garden Seeds from Hudson Valley Seed Company
We at Klein’s see the light at the end of the very long tunnel called winter, once our showrooms have been emptied of all holiday merchandise and the seed racks for the upcoming growing season begin arriving in January; including seeds from Botanical Interests, Seed Savers Exchange, Olds Garden Seeds and Livingston Seeds and now Hudson Valley Seeds.
About Hudson Valley Seed Company:
Welcome to the Hudson Valley Seed Company: your source for heirloom and open-pollinated garden seeds and beautiful garden-themed contemporary art. We are a values-driven seed company that practices and celebrates responsible seed production and stewardship. We have our own certified organic farm in upstate New York where we produce much of what we sell. On our website @ hudsonvalleyseed.com, you’ll find photos and artwork that stoke your horticultural imagination—along with tips to make your garden dreams a reality.
Our Mission
Here at the Hudson Valley Seed Company, we are both farmers and storytellers. We are committed to growing organically, sourcing locally and sustainably, and preserving crop diversity by selecting unique, rare, and hard-to-find varieties. Every seed in our catalog is open pollinated, many are heirloom and organic, and they are never GMO. We were one of the first companies to sign the Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI), and we will remain committed to our values of sustainability to the last. We believe that a seed is more than meets the eye: it is a time capsule telling tales of the plants, crops, and people that came before us, and we work with a range of artists as diverse as our seeds to pass those stories down to present and future gardeners.
Our Art Packs
Our Art Packs unite practical aspirations in the garden with the universal human desire for beauty, meaning, and joy. Each year, we release a call for art seeking artists to interpret the varieties in our collection, and hundreds of artists apply from across the United States. But there’s a lot more to an Art Pack than the beautiful exterior. Open it up, and a whole seedy world unfolds…
We hope these seedy stories will take you on a beautiful, fragrant, delicious tour of gardens past—and inspire you to let their legacies loose in your yard!
NOTES FROM MY GARDEN JOURNAL–Tips and Observations from My Own Garden by Rick Halbach
ENTRY: JANUARY 20, 2021 (Things That Go Wrong)
It’s the dead of winter and after a few months of being “trapped” indoors, my houseplants are beginning to show the stress. With longer days ahead, they should begin bouncing back in the weeks ahead. Here are a number of the symptoms I might see on my plants.
Things That Go Wrong and Possible Causes:
- Tips and Edges of Leaves Turn Brown
- Humidity too low.
- Too much fertilizer.
- Excess soluble salts may be present.
- Potting mix allowed to dry out.
- Too much fluoride in water.
Leaves Turn Yellow
- Lack of Fertilizer.
- Overwatering.
- Drafts of hot air.
- Cold drafts.
- Note: Lower leaves of older plants may turn yellow due to age.
Leaves Fall Off Plant
- Humidity too low.
- Overwatering.
- New plant adapting to new environment.
Leaves on Plant Remain Small
- Light intensity too low.
- Light intensity too high.
- Lack of fertilizer.
Leaves Have Brown Dead Areas
- Cold water has splashed on the leaves.
- Sunburn on low-light plant leaves.
New Growth Is Leggy
- Too much fertilizer.
- Light intensity too low.
Plant Doesn’t Grow
- Plant kept too cool.
- Light intensity too low.
Flower Buds Fall Off
- Drafts of hot air.
- Cold drafts.
- Humidity too low.
- Room too hot.
- Potting mixture allowed to dry out.
- Plant moved too much.
Flowering Plant Never Flowers
- Light intensity too low.
- Too much fertilizer.
- Incorrect photoperiod.
Variegated Leaves Lose Color
- Light intensity too low.
- Plant has not been correctly pruned.
Plant Has White or Grayish Blotches
- If newly purchased, pesticide residue present.
- Water spots on the foliage.
Plant Wilts Easily
- Container too small.
- Room too hot.
- Humidity too low.
Source: Western Publishing Company
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ENTRY: JANUARY 24, 2021 (Bottom Heat for Seed Germination)
My seeds for the upcoming season are arriving fast and furious. I placed my seed orders just after the holidays this year, having heard that again in 2021 and due to COVID, the gardening boom is expected to continue. Seeds, plants and gardening supplies are expected to be in high demand with many shortages expected in 2021 (garden centers included). Having placed my orders a month earlier than normal, I’ve received almost everything I ordered. Just today Select Seeds (one of my favorites) sent me this related email: “COVID-19 Notice. We have an unprecedented amount of seed orders this year, and we’re doing our best to get orders shipped out as quickly as possible. New protocols for COVID-19 combined with extremely high order volume mean it will take longer than normal to get your order shipped.”
But looking ahead, I’m looking forward to getting my seeds started beginning in early March. I’ve inventoried and stocked up on supplies, sterilized my equipment and have made sure all lights and germination mats are in working order.
That said, both of my germination mats are now decades old and have held up well. I’m dreading the day when one won’t work when I need it most…that weekend at the end of March when seed starting is at its peak and it’s a daily process of moving seed-starting flats off the mats only to be immediately replaced by freshly sown seed flats needing bottom heat.
Wanting to try starting seeds indoors and don’t have a germination mat? The following article by Jennifer Howell appeared in the current issue of Garden Gate Magazine:
How Else Can You Provide Bottom Heat?
Any extra warmth can make a difference. If you don’t have a germination mat, here are a few hacks that will give your seed-stating tray bottom heat:
A Warm Appliance
Many household appliances, such as refrigerators, water heaters or freezers, give off just enough heat to warm a tray of potting mix. Just set on top of the appliance.
Radiator or Heat Vent
Set trays above the heater on a shelf, but make sure it doesn’t get too hot! Remember that it can be dry near a heat vent, so check the soil often to make sure it stays moist.
Foil Tent around Grow Lights
Warm the germination mix by trapping heat given off by grow lights with aluminum foil tented around the lights and seed trays. (Personally, I use old shower curtains tented over my tall seed racks to trap in extra heat).
Pet Warmers
Pet bed warmers and reptile heating mats work just like a germination mat and won’t get too hot.
Holiday String Lights
Secure string lights under a shelf or a baker’s cooling rack with S-hooks or cable ties. Set your seed-starting tray right on top.
Note: DO NOT USE electric blankets or heating pads as a germination mat. They get too hot for seedlings, should not be used in wet conditions, and are not designed to be on constantly.
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ENTRY: JANUARY 25, 2021 (About House Finches)
As I’m working here on Klein’s February newsletter, there’s quite a raucous just outside the window at by bird feeding stations. Because of yesterday’s snow, there’s quite a bit of activity at the feeders today.
Among the most popular birds at my feeders are the house finches. Their cheery song certainly means spring is just around the corner. In just a few short weeks, the males and females will begin paring up and courting for the upcoming nesting season. Not native to Wisconsin, the first house finches began showing up at my feeders during the mid- to late 1980’s. We had heard years in advance of their inevitable influx from the East Coast. I’m happy to say they are one of my favorite birds at the feeders. They are tidy feeders and prefer plain safflower seed over anything else I offer—even sunflower seed. Here are some fun facts about house finches from Wild Birds Unlimited @ brookfield.wbu.com
—The House Finch has not always been found in the eastern United States. In 1940, they were illegally captured in California and imported to New York by pet dealers. Fearing prosecution, the dealers released their “Hollywood Finches” on Long Island in 1940. Since then the finches have spread to all corners of the east and have even rejoined their relatives in the west.
—The eastern population of House Finches has developed a consistent annual and often long-range migration pattern, while the native western population is primarily residential, occasionally migrating only short distances. Many House Finches from the Northeast U.S. and Great Lakes regions migrate to the southern U.S. to spend the winter. They are year round residents here in Madison.
—In the East, female House Fiches migrate farther south than do the males. Southern states often find a majority of brown females at their feeders, while northerners enjoy more of the colorful red males.
—House Finch populations found in the east are rarely found far from urban or suburban areas, but in its native western range they may also be found in a wide variety of open or semi-open habitats including undisturbed deserts.
—Male House Finches display a wide variety of plumage coloration ranging from gray to bright crimson. The coloration comes from carotenoid pigments found in some wild foods. The more pigment present in the foods eaten when they are molting new feathers … the redder the male.
—Female house finches prefer to mate with the reddest males they can find.
—House Finches were introduced on the Hawaiian Islands sometime before 1870. Known there as the papaya bird, after its favorite island food, males lack the red color of mainland birds as papaya has no red pigments.
—House Finches roost at night in close proximity to each other, sometimes huddling together for warmth. Favorite roosting spots are used repeatedly.
—House Finches are fond of nectar and can become a nuisance at hummingbird feeders, if they do, offer them a dish of nectar for their own use.
—A water source can be a strong attractant for House Finches. They can drink up to 40% of their body weight on a hot summer day.
—House Finches are almost strictly vegetarian feeders and approximately 97% of their diet is made up of vegetable matter including buds, seeds, and fruits. They are strongly attracted to feeders, where they prefer small sunflower seeds.
—House Finches’ diets are the most vegetarian of any North American bird. Unlike most other seed eating birds, finches do not switch to an insect diet during the summer nesting season. They continue to eat mostly seeds, although they will prey on some insects when they are abundant.
—House Finches are highly attracted to sodium salt and will seek out sources of it to eat.
—House finches differ from purple finches by the male purple finch’s purple side streaks (unlike the brown streaks in a house finch) and by the female’s conspicuous eye stripe (female house finches lack this feature).
—The Eastern population of the House Finch has decreased by almost 50% in the last 10 years due to an eye disease known as avian conjunctivitis.
—Studies have shown that when the avian conjunctivitis enters a new area, it takes three years before the population of House Finches stabilizes at about half of the pre-disease level. It is theorized that transmission of avian conjunctivitis between House Finches is dependent on high density populations.
—It is thought that since the entire Eastern population of the House Finch is the progeny of a small number of birds liberated on Long Island, New York in 1940, their low genetic diversity may make them more susceptible to the avian conjunctivitis disease than other bird species.
—It was once believed that the rapid increase of the eastern House Finch population was responsible for a decline in the number of House Sparrows. Recent research shows that that the two population trends are unrelated.
—Banding studies show House Finches may live to be over 11 years old in the wild.
—House finches are early nesters, beginning in March in most of the country.
—Both male and female House Finch display a strong tendency to return to the same area to breed, often occupying the same nest site as the previous year.
—Male House Finches do not defend a defined territory very far away from their nest; instead they concentrate on defending the area immediately surrounding their mate. They will chase and fight another male when it gets too close to their female partner.
—Ironically, House Finches rarely use bird houses to build their nest in; instead they seem to prefer locations such as: coniferous trees, cactus plants, ledges, street lamps, ivy on building and hanging planters.
—House Finch typically produce at least two broods each nesting season. Research has shown that some individuals may attempt to nest up to six times per year, but only half of the attempts were successful in fledging young.
—A few female House Finches have been observed laying their second clutch of eggs several days before fledging their young from a previous brood. This is possible due to the male predominant role in raising the young from the earlier nest.
KLEIN’S RECIPES OF THE MONTH—These are a selection of relatively simple recipes chosen by our staff. New recipes appear monthly. Enjoy!!
One of the tastiest, quickest and easiest ways to prepare potatoes is cut them into chunks and roast them in the oven; along with olive oil, salt, pepper and a few favorite herbs and/or condiments. Below are some of Klein’s very favorite tried and true roasted potato recipes that are sure to please.
ROASTED POTATOES WITH HERBS— For one of Klein’s staff members, this is far and away his favorite potato recipe when serving friends and family. Extremely simple with “a great rosemary taste.” “The house smells amazing while the potatoes are roasting.” Rave reviews all around!
1-2 TBS. butter
2 lbs. red potatoes cut into 3/4” cubes or tiny new potatoes
3 TBS. extra virgin olive oil
1 TBS. snipped fresh rosemary
1 tsp. dried thyme, crushed, or 1TBS. fresh snipped
2+ cloves minced garlic
coarse salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 375º. Toss together all ingredients, except the butter, in a large bowl. Place butter in a 10×15” baking dish or heavy, rimmed sheet. Allow the butter to melt in the hot oven for a few minutes. Once butter has melted, carefully swirl the melted butter to spread out in the bottom of the baking dish. Spread the potatoes into the baking dish and bake 20 minutes. Stir and roast another 20 minutes until the potatoes are tender and turning crunchy at the edges. Serves 8.
ROASTED POTATOES POUPON–This recipe comes from a Grey Poupon® Dijon mustard ad and remains a family favorite!
1/2 cup Dijon-style mustard
1/3 cup olive oil
3 lbs. red potatoes (either peeled or left unpeeled), cut into 1 1/2” pieces.
2 medium onions (1 1/2 cups), sliced
Preheat oven to 400º. In a bowl, whisk together the mustard and the oil. In a large bowl, combine potatoes, onions and the mustard mixture. Toss to coat well. Spread evenly onto a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 45-50 minutes until the potatoes are tender and crispy. Serves 6.
HONEY MUSTARD ROASTED POTATOES–Similar in flavor to the above recipe but the honey adds a wonderful the sweetness the kids will enjoy. This recipe appeared in the Capital Times.
Cooking spray
4 large baking potatoes (2 lbs.), peeled or left unpeeled, cut into 6-8 chunks.
1/2 cup Dijon-style mustard
1/4 cup honey
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 375º. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray and set aside. Place the potatoes in a saucepan, cover with water (salt added) and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook over medium heat until just tender (12-15 minutes). Drain.
In a very large bowl, whisk together the mustard, honey and thyme. Add the potatoes and toss gently until evenly coated. Spread the potatoes evenly on the prepped sheet. Bake 20 minutes or until the potatoes begin to brown. Season with salt and pepper. Serves 4.
PARMESAN ROASTED POTATOES–Yet another roasted potato recipe we could not be without. This recipe once appeared in The Isthmus.
8 large potatoes, sliced into wedges
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup grated parmesan
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. pepper
1 TBS. paprika
Preheat oven to 375º. Line a very large, rimmed baking sheet with foil. Place potatoes in a very large bowl and toss with the oil, parmesan, salt, pepper and paprika. Spread evenly onto the sheet and bake 1 hour–no need to rearrange during the cooking time. The potatoes will come out perfectly crisp and ever so flavorful!
MOLASSES TOSSED ROASTED POTATOES–Try this newer recipe for something easy and totally different!
2 1/2 lbs. small red potatoes or fingerlings, halved or cut into smallish pieces
2 TBS. cooking oil
2 TBS. molasses
2 TBS. balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. dried thyme, crushed
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat the oven to 450º. Prep a 9×13” baking dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, molasses, vinegar, thyme and salt. Add the potatoes and toss to coat. Bake, uncovered, 20 minutes. Stir in the walnuts and bake 15-20 minutes until potatoes are tender, stirring once more. Serves 8.
NATURAL NEWS–
UW Extension Online Green Thumb Gardening Class Series:
The Green Thumb Gardening series will give you the practical knowledge to keep your home garden thriving! University of Wisconsin Extension educators and local horticulture experts will provide in-depth and accessible information for everyone from the novice to the experienced gardener. In 2021, our class offerings have been expanded, including a Fall, Winter, Early Spring, Mid-summer and Late Summer series of classes.
For the safety of all participants, classes will be held online. Blended (in-person/online) classes may be available later in the year as conditions permit. Optional outdoor lab sessions for some classes in spring (e.g. shrub pruning class) and summer will be held in the Dane County Extension Teaching Garden. Separate registration for labs will be needed as space will be limited due to the need for social distancing. Face masks will be required for these in-person events. All class registrations are open now. One can purchase each class series for a package price or purchase selected classes.
The Winter Series on vegetable gardening starts Jan. 11 on Monday nights 6-8 p.m. A few topics include seed starting, vegetable diseases, insects, and cover crops.
The Early Spring Series starts March 9 on Tuesday nights 6:30-8:30 p.m. Topics include fruit tree pruning, landscape tree and shrub pruning, proper tree planting and more.
Late Spring classes start May 3 on Monday nights 6-8 p.m. Topics include talks on plant diseases, insect pests, houseplants and growing berries.
The Midsummer Series on Monday nights begins June 21 6-8 p.m. Classes include weed ID and management, and perennials for sun and shade.
And the Late Summer series begins Aug. 4 on Wednesdays 3-5 p.m. and some of the class topics are invasive species, native plants and pollinators and rain gardens.
Visit dane.extension.wisc.edu/
early summer and late summer.
Sources: dane.extension.wisc.edu and madison.com.
FEBRUARY’S PLANT OF THE MONTH:
Chinese Money Pant (Pilea peperomiodes)
The Chinese money plant, also known as the missionary plant, lefse plant, pancake plant, UFO plant, or just pilea (short for its scientific name of Pilea peperomioides) is originally from the southwestern Yunnan province of China, where it is now believed to be extinct in nature. Lore says to place a coin in the soil with your Chinese money plant, and it’ll spontaneously start to attract wealth. Popular stories maintain that a Norwegian missionary, Agnar Espegren, took cuttings home with him in the 1940s, and shared them with friends and family. Those plants were spread throughout Scandinavia, and eventually the world, as people continued passing cuttings and plants between friends.
Because of Dane County’s strong Norwegian heritage, Chinese money plant appeared in Madison during the early 1950’s and have been handed down in the area ever since. In fact, some staff at Klein’s have been sharing Chinese money plants with each other for decades. However, nationally, this houseplant was practically unheard of before 2017. Then suddenly, it seemed to appear out of nowhere to become one of the most popular indoor plants today. People fell in love with it due to Instagram and Pinterest posts. Because cuttings are slow to establish and grow (yet very easy) and current demand extremely high, money plants continue to be relatively hard to find in plant shops and garden centers.
Chinese money plants like lots of indirect light but do poorly in direct sun. They should be placed near a sunny window, but just out of reach of the sun’s rays. They also like sandy, well-draining soil and should be allowed to dry out between waterings. They need very little feeding, but will do well with occasional additions of standard houseplant fertilizer.
Klein’s usually has a nice selection of Chinese money plants available in 4”pots. Call ahead to check on availability as it changes almost weekly.
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. 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.
***Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, nearly all garden/plant related public events in the Madison area continue to be cancelled or postponed until further notice.***
Orchid Escape
Daily, Saturday, January 30 through Sunday, February 28, 10:00-4:00
Bolz Conservatory Exhibit
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Escape to the tropics and take in bountiful, beautiful orchids displayed throughout the Bolz Conservatory! Orchid Escape features over 250 orchids artfully displayed.
Orchids have played a central role at the gardens since the opening of the Bolz Conservatory in 1991, and the permanent collections have grown significantly over the past few decades. To reflect this, the Conservatory team set out to create new programming that would highlight the beauty and variety of this unique plant family. The show will incorporate both new orchids special ordered from vendors as well as specimens from the permanent collections.
Orchid Escape will be held in the Bolz Conservatory from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily throughout February. Regular Conservatory admission prices will apply during this time.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
PBS Wisconsin’s Virtual Garden & Landscape Expo
Saturday, February 20 & Sunday, February 21, 2021
The safety of our attendees, presenters, exhibitors and volunteers is paramount. Therefore, PBS Wisconsin has made the difficult — yet necessary — decision to cancel our 2021 in-person Garden & Landscape Expo.
While we will not be meeting together at the Alliant Energy Center in February, we plan to unite and engage the gardening community virtually, sharing inspiration and educational opportunities. See schedule details and register at www.wigardenexpo.com.
FEBRUARY IN THE GARDEN-–A checklist of things to do this month.
___Check perennials for heaving during warm spells. Re-mulch as needed.
___Continue bringing out your cooled forced bulbs for indoor enjoyment.
___Inspect stored summer bulbs like dahlias, cannas and glads for rotting.
___Check for and treat for pests on plants brought in from the garden.
___Keep bird feeders full. Clean periodically with soap and water.
___Repair and clean out birdhouses. Early arrivals will be here soon!
___Inventory last year’s leftover seeds before ordering or buying new ones.
___Order seeds and plants. Some of our very favorite seed and plant sources include:
___Visit Klein’s—it’s green, it’s warm, it’s colorful—it’s always spring.
Some of our very favorite seed and plant sources include:
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
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 FEBRUARY:
—We’re readying ourselves for Valentine’s Day awaiting the onslaught by prepping the thousands of additional cut flowers, unpacking all the beautiful vases and containers, ordering hundreds of blooming plants and securing additional delivery vehicles and staff.
—Spring plants begin arriving enforce! After Valentine’s Day the first spring bedding annuals arrive. Pansies, violas and dianthus plugs are popped into cell packs so they’re ready for early April sales.
—We’re planting up our thousands of mixed annuals hanging baskets. The geranium hanging baskets planted in January are filling out and almost ready for their first pinching and shaping.
—We reopen greenhouses in our back range as needed. They’ve been shut down to save on heat and eliminate pest problems.
—The deadline approaches for Easter orders. Dozens of area churches order lilies, tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, mums, hydrangeas and azaleas for Easter delivery.
—Spring product begins arriving for unpacking and pricing–the pots, the tools, the sundries. We need to have everything priced and ready to go by April 1.
—We continue to access our needs for spring staffing and try to have the new people in place and trained by March 1. March and April are the busiest months behind the scenes in the greenhouse and we rely on a dedicated, hardworking team to have everything ready for the customer come May 1 and the spring onslaught.
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