‘THE SAGE’-Klein’s Online Newsletter—SEPTEMBER 2021
Klein’s Floral & Greenhouses
608/244-5661 or info@kleinsfloral.com
THIS MONTH’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Check Out Our Current End-of-Season Specials
About Klein’s Easy-To-Use Rewards Program
Our ‘Mad Gardener’ and ‘Houseplant Help‘ Are Ready for Your Questions
Tips on How To Turn Kids on To Gardening
About Klein’s Fresh Flower Sources
Klein’s Favorite Seed, Bulb & Plant Sources
You Asked about ‘Small Black Bugs in My Houseplants’
Plant of the Month: Globe Allium (Ornamental Onions)
Klein’s Favorite Edamame Recipes
Product Spotlight: Systemic Insect Control from Bonide
Notes from Rick’s Garden Journal—From August 2021
—Yellowjackets-Their Bite Is Worse Than Their Buzz
—An Old Window Screen Is a Fountain Pump Savior
—Mid-summer Petunia Care
September in the Garden: A Planner
Gardening Events Around Town
Join Us on Twitter
Follow Us on Facebook
OUR CURRENT SPECIALS:
—50% Off All Remaining Perennials and Shrubs (does not include fall mums).
NOW AVAILABLE…FALL MUMS, FALL VEGETABLES, ORNAMENTAL KALES, CABBAGES, PEPPERS & SO MUCH MORE!
Now that it’s late summer and your summer annuals are beginning to wane, it’s time to fill those empty spots with colorful fall mums and annuals and in the coming weeks and as crops are ready, selection will be at its peak. Choose from not only mums, but also beautiful grasses, pansies and violas, ornamental kales, cabbages, peppers and so much more.
Klein’s is renowned for our selection of mixed fall containers, whether pre-made grab-and-go or custom designed to suit your taste or decor.
And in the weeks ahead we await the arrival of our large selection on pumpkins and gourds. Fall merchandise is arriving daily!!
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.
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.
SEPTEMBER STORE HOURS:
Monday thru Friday : 9:00-6:00
Saturday: 9:00-5:00
Sunday: 10:00-4:00
Open Monday, September 6: 10:00-4:00
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
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 6–Labor Day. Special Store Hours: 10:00-4:00
September 6—Rosh Hashana Begins
September 11—20th Anniversary of 9/11
September 12–Grandparents’ Day
September 15—Yom Kippur Begins
September 20–Full Moon
September 22–Fall Begins
‘THE FLOWER SHOPPE’:
“Where do your fresh flowers come from?” and “How often do you receive fresh cut flowers?”
These are often asked questions at any flower shop where freshness is your trademark and when dealing with such a fragile and perishable product. Similar to produce, product must be harvested and in the consumer’s hand as quickly as possible to ensure optimum freshness.
Due to its cost prohibitive nature, fresh flowers are seldom grown here in the north in hothouses as in generations past. Not that many decades ago, local growers (like Klein’s) grew many of their own cut flowers in their own greenhouses during the winter months and in fields on their property during the summer when greenhouse space was used for bedding plants. Things changed in the mid-20th century when faster and more efficient shipping options were made available. These days, most fresh flowers are grown year round in Central and South America and the southwestern United States. A few specialty items are still shipped in from western Europe (primarily the Netherlands), Hawaii and southeast Asia. From these distant locations, flowers are then shipped to local wholesalers where they are inspected, repackaged and redistributed to flower shops and other retailers.
Among the floral wholesalers we use at Klein’s are Bill Doran Company out of Rockford (with a Madison distribution site on Pflaum Rd.); Krueger Wholesale from Rothschild, WI and Karthauser & Sons of Germantown, WI.
About Our Wholesalers:
Due to its close proximity to Klein’s, the Bill Doran Co. (billdoran.com) is our quick go-to supplier when we need fresh flowers on short notice. On some days our drivers may stop two and even three times for not only fresh flowers, but any type of floral supply imaginable. Their helpful staff quickly and efficiently pulls fresh product from their huge walk-in cooler and packages it for us within a few minutes notice. Bill Doran’s also delivers to us as needed. Their Pflaum Rd. fleet distributes throughout much of southern Wisconsin.
Krueger Wholesale’s (www.kruegerwholesale.com) large, refrigerated vehicle, on the other hand, stops three (sometimes more) times in any week. In addition to standing orders of some of our most popular fresh flowers, we’re able to shop right off the truck; allowing our designers to pick the freshest and most beautiful product available to us. It’s like being a child in a candy store. We can literally have fresh flowers delivered from our supplier and into your hands within minutes! Krueger Wholesale not only supplies us with beautiful flowers, but also many of our houseplants and blooming plants. Fresh houseplants arrive on Tuesdays and in a different truck from their floral vehicle.
Karthauser and Sons (www.karthauser.net) supplies Klein’s primarily with their fantastic selection of high-quality blooming plants and houseplants, delivered to us on a weekly basis either on Tuesdays or Thursdays. They too have an extensive floral department that supplies us with supplies, glassware and fresh flowers during peak times and as needed throughout the year.
In addition to the above year round wholesalers, we florists in the Madison area are lucky to be in the midst of a booming local cut flower trade. Starting each May, Klein’s begins receiving regular weekly visits from local vendors who supply us fresh cut flowers and plant material directly from their fields. Because the flowers are grown locally, they arrive to us unblemished and in pristine condition.
YOU ASKED. . .
I have small black flying bugs in my house. They are in the dirt of my house plants. How do I get rid of them ? Janel
Hi Janel,
Fungus gnats flourish in moist, rich and organic soil….the better the soil you choose, the bigger the problem with fungus gnats can become. The larvae are feeding on the biodegrading matter….the same biodegrading matter that is feeding your plants. Fungus gnats enter the home via potting mixes, with potted plants from Florida or simply from outdoors during the summer months through open doors and windows. Females are small enough to enter through the screens. They do not harm healthy plants but can be annoying.
There are basically three solutions to help control their numbers; allowing the soil to dry thoroughly between waterings and never allowing the soil to stay moist, placing a thin layer of sand over the soil so the female has trouble laying her eggs in the soil, or the use of Mosquito Bits, living bacteria that feed on the larvae in the soil. It’s the only commercial product listed for fungus gnat control we sell. Simply mix the granules with water and and then water your plants as normal over a three to four week period following the package instructions closely. It not effective if simply applied to the soil.
Many websites recommend the use of sticky cards, but they simply attract the adults…usually after they’ve had a chance to lay their many eggs. I don’t find them useful for control other than learning how bad the infestation really is.
Thanks for your question,
DID YOU KNOW. . .
. . . about Klein’s fantastic and easy-to-use Rewards Program?
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:
-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’ve used your 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.
Systemic Insect Control from Bonide
If planning on bringing any plants indoors that have spent the summer outside, it’s almost (during the first week of September) the time to begin preventative measures to avoid bringing insect pests inside along with your plants. It’s far better to begin a regular routine now than to deal with pest problems once established indoors.
Systemic pesticides, unlike those directly sprayed on the insect, are absorbed by the plant itself and makes the plant toxic for insects to feed on them. Soft tissued plants absorb the chemicals quicker than woody plants which require the 4-6 week period for the systemic to work. We recommend starting Labor Day weekend for application for two reasons. First off, it happens to fall in that 4-6 week window before our average killing frost. Secondly, it’s easy to remember to apply it at about the same time from year to year.
The Bonide systemic we sell at Klein’s comes in two sizes (the smaller size packaged for houseplants and the larger for garden plants though the exact same product in both). The systemic needs to be reapplied about every 5 weeks throughout the winter to prevent insect infestations. When one brings plants indoors, we not only bring in the adults, but also their unhatched eggs. Reapplying also prevents plant-to-plant infestations. The most common indoor plant pests controlled by the systemic include aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, spider mites and thrips. Though mentioned on the label, we’ve found the systemic a little too mild to rid plants of scale and it seems relatively ineffective against the fungus gnats that live in the soil.
Carefully use the product according to package instructions; usually a few teaspoons stirred into the surface soil of your average sized potted plant. Dosage is based on pot size and soil volume, not plant size. For application, use a disposable plastic teaspoon and not a dinner spoon. Apply the systemic when the plants need to be watered and once applied, water them thoroughly. It’s not recommended to use the systemic in rooms where small children or pets have access to the treated plants.
NOTES FROM MY GARDEN JOURNAL–Tips and Observations from My Own Garden by Rick Halbach
ENTRY: AUGUST 4, 2021 (Yellowjackets-Their Bite Is Worse Than Their Buzz)
Today while reading my book along the shore of Long Lake near Birchwood (… my family rents a cottage there each summer) a yellowjacket landed on my right upper arm and as I watched it (completely unprovoked), it stung me right through my T-shirt sleeve. We knew there was a yellowjacket nest in a hole in the shoreline nearby and had been very careful walking by and generally avoiding it. I’ve always thought that bees, hornets, wasps, etc. usually avoided people or stinging so long as they were’t startled, attacked, swung at or trapped. After I was stung I moved my chair quite a distance away and as I watched the countless yellowjackets flying to and from there nest, I had accidentally placed myself downwind from the nest and had settled myself in the middle of their flight path that day. It seems that the yellowjacket that stung me somehow knew I wasn’t there a few minutes earlier when leaving the nest (read the following article!). I watched it settle on my sleeve assuming it would simply fly away if I didn’t move, rather than stinging me. Though extremely painful (then very itchy!), I’ve learned a little bit more about yellowjackets from the experience and the need to keep a good distance from their nests.
About Yellowjackets
(Source: www.rescue.com/bug/
These aggressive pests possess a sting and bite seemingly bigger than their “buzz”. You’ll find the bright yellow and black insects in the backyard, at picnics and other outdoor activities.
They scavenge for meat and sweet liquids, which brings them into frequent contact with humans. Yellowjacket attacks can be deadly for people who are allergic to their stings.
Although many people see their yellow and black markings and label them “bees”, yellow jackets are actually a type of wasp. Yellowjackets, paper wasps and bees are differentiated by several physical characteristics.
In 1975, the German yellowjacket (V. germanica), a European native, first appeared in Ohio, and has now become the dominant species over the eastern yellowjacket in the Midwest. Many of us over a certain age had, therefore, never experienced yellowjackets as kids. They appeared in the Madison area during the 1980’s.
What Makes Them Dangerous?
Yellowjackets are more aggressive than other stinging insects such as wasps, hornets, mud daubers or bees. Yellowjackets can sting and bite. Since they don’t lose their stinger, they can sting numerous times, and will do so unprovoked.
Yellowjackets vigorously defend their nests. Swarm attacks can occur when someone accidentally steps in or hits a nest opening. Ground vibrations can also trigger attacks from underground nests — thus, mowing lawns can be hazardous during the late summer season when colonies are large.
Feeding Characteristics
Most yellowjacket workers forage for food within 1,000 feet of their nest — a distance of three football fields.
In the middle of the season — usually June or July — yellowjackets are drawn to protein sources, such as hamburgers on the barbecue grill. During the late summer to early fall, they tend to shift their diet to sweets, including soda and juice.
The Nest
Yellowjacket nests are usually built underground, although some species will construct their nests in hollow logs, trees, attics, between walls, or under eaves of houses. An underground yellowjacket nest is difficult to locate because the entrance is about the size of a nickel.
Yellowjackets construct their nests of plant fibers gathered from weathered or decayed wood or even living plants. A yellowjacket nest consists of a number of rounded combs attached one below another. The combs are usually covered with a layered envelope allowing only one opening. A “guard” will usually be stationed at the entrance of a nest to warn of possible danger.
Safety Tips
Yellowjackets are aggressive and can be unpredictable — especially in late summer when their colonies are at their largest. Taking precautions can help you avoid being stung.
—Look before you drink. Yellowjackets are attracted to sweet foods and drinks like sodas and juices.
—Keep trash covered and away from where you may be eating. The insects like to forage in your garbage for food scraps and sweet drinks.
—Wear heavy clothing when walking in wooded areas. Lightweight clothing may not be tough enough to protect you from a sting.
—Remain calm. When you get aggressive, yellowjackets get aggressive.
—If you find a nest, call a pest control professional. Removing one yourself is probably more dangerous than you think.
***—Don’t smash or crush a yellowjacket. They give off an alarm pheromone that alerts others in the area to attack.
—Avoid scented perfumes, hairspray, lotions and brightly colored clothes. Yellowjackets are attracted to them.
—Keep your kids away from overgrown or wooded areas. They’re prime nesting sites for yellow jackets.
—Don’t use gasoline to try to eliminate a yellowjacket nest. It’s dangerous and environmentally unsound.
What to do if you’re stung by a yellowjacket:
—Wash the wound with soap and water to remove venom.
—Apply cold water, ice in a wet cloth, or a paste of meat tenderizer and water.
—Take a pain reliever or antihistamine to reduce swelling
—Apply a calamine product to reduce itching.
—Lie down.
—Lower the stung arm or leg below the heart.
—Don’t drink alcohol or take sedatives.
—If the sting is to the throat or mouth, seek medical attention immediately. Swelling can lead to suffocation.
Signs you may be allergic:
—Severe swelling in parts of the body distant from the site of the sting.
—Widespread skin irritation.
—Constriction in the throat and chest or difficulty breathing
—Dizziness or fainting.
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
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ENTRY: AUGUST 10, 2021 (An Old Window Screen Is a Fountain Pump Savior)
For the first time in a few years, I haven’t had to replace any of my three fountain pumps so far this season. It’s not that they are particularly new. The reason is that I simply take pretty darn good care of them. I never let my fountains run dry (I fill them each morning when watering my containers) and I make sure that the intake opening remains debris-free and unobstructed. A clean and well-performing fountain or water feature adds beauty to the garden and brings in an abundance of wildlife.
In general, I give all of my three fountains a somewhat thorough cleaning about once a week. I replace all or most of the water and scrub the surfaces to remove any algae buildup.
To ensure that my pumps remain clog-free I’ve encased them in a roomy pocket of crumpled up old vinyl window screen. Many websites suggest using other materials (i.e. old nylons), but I’ve found that the further the any debris stays away the from the intake, the longer the fountain performs unhindered. The crumpled screen (secured with a large rubber band used for produce around the electrical cord) keeps any and all debris far from the intake. In fact, I haven’t found the need to remove the pumps from the fountains to clean them this entire summer.
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ENTRY: AUGUST 14, 2021 (Mid-summer Petunia Care)
I’m often asked how my many petunia containers and hanging baskets can look so good this late in the season.
My answer? In addition to regular watering and bi-weekly fertilizing, one quick ‘haircut’ just after the Fourth of July is the simple solution.
Usually by the Fourth of July most petunias are beginning to look a little leggy and tired. The center of the pots begin to yellow and lose leaves and the stems become thick and woody. That’s about the time I begin pruning my 20 plus petunia pots and baskets back to about 4-6”. I trim baskets back to the rim of the pot and leave a little longer growth and a few flowers and some foliage on the top. It may seem drastic to cut off all the flowers and cut back the foliage to mere twigs. But doing so now ensures oodles of new blooms in just two short weeks. The centers begin filling out with all new foliage as the plants start branching. The hot weather of July encourages speedy new growth. Two weeks later my pots look like they looked in mid-June…loaded with blooms!
I try to stagger the pruning process over a week’s time as not to have all of my petunias cut off at once for better effect in the garden.
Now that it’s mid-August and the days are shortening and the nights are cooler, my now robust and revived petunias are thriving. And with the cooler days of fall, my petunias are oftentimes the last of my container plants to succumb to fall frosts; usually looking great and blooming well into October…all because of that simple ‘haircut’ in July.
KLEIN’S RECIPES OF THE MONTH—These are a selection of relatively simple recipes chosen by our staff. New recipes appear monthly. Enjoy!!
Edamame: Japanese for “beans on a branch”. If ever you’ve received this delectable edible soybean from one of our many local CSA’s, you surely know this to be an accurate description. Typically one receives the entire plant, literally dripping with these fuzzy, podded beans. Only in recent decades have edible soybeans made their appearance at nearly all supermarkets. They are most commonly found in the frozen vegetable aisle–both whole and shelled. The best way to describe the flavor is “naturally buttery”. Shelled beans are delicious on their own per package instructions.
However, the best way to experience edamame is fresh, in the pod, and as the natives do. (Fresh edamame in the pod can be found seasonally at specialty grocery stores and farmers’ markets.) Simply drop the edamame, shell and all, into a pot of salted, boiling water for five to eight minutes. Drain well, dump them into a bowl and slip the tender beans out of the pod between your front teeth, disposing of the shell. It’s great fun for young and old alike and makes for a great and very healthy snack.
SOYBEAN HUMMUS–From Cooking Light magazine.
2 cups frozen edamame
1/2 cup water
6 TBS. olive oil
4 TBS. fresh lemon juice
2 tsp. salt
2 cloves minced garlic
1/4 tsp. Tobasco sauce
4 TBS. chopped parsley
Pita, crackers or fresh veggie dippers
Combine the edamame and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer 10 minutes. Drain. Combine the cooked beans, oil, juice , salt, garlic and Tobasco in a food processor and process until smooth. Add the parsley and process until just blended.
EDAMAME & BARLEY SALAD–Another recipe from the same issue of Cooking Light magazine as above.
Dressing:
5 TBS. olive oil
1 TBS. lemon zest
2 TBS. lemon juice
1 TBS. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. pepper
Salad:
1 cup pearled barley
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
3/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
1 1/4 tsp. salt
1x 16 oz. bag frozen edamame, thawed
Whisk together the dressing ingredients and set aside. Cook the barley per package instructions. Combine the cooked barley, bell pepper, onion and the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl and toss well. Add the dressing and toss gently to coat. Allow to rest 15 minutes or chill before serving. Serves 8.
SOY WASABI SPREAD–This recipe appeared in Martha Stewart Living in July of 2005.
16 oz. frozen, shelled edamame
8 oz. silken tofu
1 tsp. lemon zest
2 TBS. fresh lemon juice
1 TBS. Chinese hot mustard
2 tsp. wasabi paste
1 tsp. course salt
Crackers, cucumber slices &/or carrot sticks for serving
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the edamame and cook 5 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water. Drain again. Puree the edamame, tofu, zest, juice, mustard, wasabi and salt in a food processor and serve. Makes 3 cups.
EDAMAME WITH ASIAN SAUCE–And yet another delicious recipe from From Asparagus to Zucchini: A Guide to Cooking Farm-Fresh Seasonal Produce.
1 lb. fresh edamame in the shell
2 TBS. soy sauce
1 TBS. sesame oil
1 TBS. canola oil
1 TBS. rice vinegar
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp. brown sugar or honey
2 TBS. sesame seeds
Boil the edamame in salted water 5-8 minutes. Combine the other ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring, to dissolve the sugar or honey. Toss with the hot, cooked and drained edamame. Serve immediately. This sauce also works well tossed with cooked, shelled edamame. Serves 6.
NATURAL NEWS–
“The love of gardening Is a seed once sown that never dies”– Gertrude Jekyll
Getting Kids Interested in Gardening–A Primer
Introducing children to plants and gardening can never start too early. How many of us gardeners began our own gardening experiences hand in hand with our own parents and grandparents and at a very early age. Stories from Klein’s own staff members demonstrates this quite clearly. Nearly all of us who work at Klein’s got the gardening bug very early in life; whether planting, weeding, harvesting or working on our family farms or simply enjoying nature. We all have fond memories (or selective memories) of how much fun it was to be in the garden as children and it’s very important to each of us to pass our love of nature on to our own children. We as parents and teachers are instrumental in shaping our world’s future. The following questions and answers come to us from the wonderful website at www.kidsgardening.org. Though specifically aimed at teachers, the answers are poignant to any adult who wants the children in their lives to become involved in gardening.
Question: How do I get the children interested in the garden?
Answer: There are many ways to interest children in the garden. A successful children’s garden allows whimsy and welcomes the discovery of a variety of “treasures.” The quickest way to engage children in the garden is to give them a part in its design. You can design a garden around a literature theme such a “Peter Rabbit” or “Planting a Rainbow” garden. Or you can design a garden to be a particular type of habitat, such as a butterfly garden or a bird garden. Another concept for the garden is to focus on a food product, as in a Pizza Garden, a Stone Soup Garden, or a Stir-Fry Garden. The design of the garden involves: deciding on a design concept, deciding on what you will plant and how the plantings will be arranged, and then planting the garden. You can also decorate the garden with child-made objects and signs. Another way to sustain interest in the garden is to plan for your school’s harvest and feast days, and to have daily garden “reporters” who investigate the plants’ progress and then report to the class. You can also include garden reports in the school newsletter.
Question: How do I get Grade K-2 children interested in the garden beyond the seed-planting day?
Answer: With young children, the daily structure of observation will keep their interest, provided you have planted some seeds that sprout very quickly. Others can sprout slower, and this becomes an opportunity for discussion about how different plants, just like people, grow at different rates (math concept) and look different as they sprout (diversity is a good thing). Once the seedlings are growing, focus your efforts on plotting their growth once a week and keeping a chart. You could make a wall height chart that shows the mature height of what you are growing and measure the kids against the plants. Then you could measure the baby plants against the mature plant pictures. Promises of good things to eat and pretty flowers are very inspirational to children of this age. Once the seedlings are planted out, use the garden as a reason to go outside for learning activities. Encourage each child to feel ownership of his or her plant(s). This allows each one to take on a nurturing role with the plants. It is best if each has more than one plant so that if a plant is killed with devotion, there are backups.
Question: How do I get Grade 3-5 children interested in the garden beyond the seed-planting day?
Answer: This is an age of some independence. It is helpful if the garden is close to the classroom so that the more motivated students can easily check on the garden. Understanding what motivates the kids to work in the garden is very important at this age. For some, it is a way to “avoid schoolwork”; for others, it is a way to be outside more than they would otherwise be allowed. For others, it is an opportunity to explore, observe, and learn to ask interesting questions. Children of this age are very capable of planting but need to have clear visual clues as to where to stand and where the plants are. Having the children make labels for plants allows children to personalize the garden and “mark their territory.” The more the students believe that their involvement makes a difference, the greater the likelihood of their sustained interest. Subdividing the garden into team areas or even personal “square feet” is one way to give individuals feelings of being needed. They develop a personal nurturing relationship with the plants and take pride in their growth. It is best if each has more than one plant so that if a plant is killed with devotion, there are backups.
Question: How can I get kids in Grades 6-12 involved in the garden?
Answer: At this age it is even more important than at the younger ages that the kids feel ownership of the garden. If the garden becomes “cool,” it will be easier to get kids to stay with the project. A good sense of humor will help the squeamish “you don’t want me to touch that dirt” child get into the mode of gardening. The quickest route to that ownership is in daily involvement in the design, installation, maintenance, and harvest of the garden. The garden should be configured in such a way that it appears understandable to the students. Raised beds minimize trampling and opportunities for children to feel clumsy or embarrassed. If it is a habitat, then the primary qualities of that habitat should be incorporated into classroom lesson plans. If it is a vegetable garden, you should be growing crops that interest the kids. Add flowers if that is what is necessary to hold the interest of the non-vegetable eaters. If the garden is close to the classroom and can be easily accessed, it will be used more. If the garden reflects the personality of the gardeners, it is bound to hold their interest longer. This may mean allowing “funky” kid objects to personalize the space, appointing various “crew chiefs” for garden time, and giving extra recognition for good work in the garden.
Question: I don’t have room or time — or maybe even skills — to plant a new garden, but I’d like my first grader to have his own little garden place. Do you have suggestions?
Answer: If planting a garden seems too daunting, adopt an existing spot. Instead of a new plot, stake a claim in an existing planting or wild space in your yard. It can be as small or big as your son wants. Mark it off with stakes and twine, tell him it is his garden, and start spending time there together. Pay utmost attention. You could add a plant or two, or not. Set out some seeds or nuts to see if any creatures pay a call. Take photos. Draw pictures. Write poems. Collect and press a few leaves, flowers, or other finds. Keep a scrapbook throughout the season. Kids who try this usually grow very attached to their places.
Turning Kids On
by Cheryl Dorschner
Most adults who garden began this hobby as children. And more than one old-timer has sworn off gardening because he hated it as a kid. Here’s the secret to the difference.
If you want your child to love gardening, the best things you can do, in order of importance, are the following.
1. Show them how much you love gardening just by reveling in your own garden every day.
2. Surround them with great gardens. That doesn’t mean a show place. It may mean a messy, riotously colored cottage garden; decorative little getaway; or profuse potsful. (Remember that everything is bigger through kids’ eyes.)
3. Give them good gardening experiences. These will be great memories in years to come.
Kids have so much competing for their attention: television, computers, sports, and a bazillion “planned” activities from library hours to birthday parties, from sleepovers to dances — at as young an age as the fifth grade. So gardening has to stand on its own. Rooting cuttings in water doesn’t cut it. But what does?
Experts disagree on whether to include gardening among children’s required chores or to take advantage of their interest on planting and harvest days and do the work yourself the other 120 days.
I’m somewhere in the middle. I’d never say, “an hour of weeding and you can go swimming.” But I’d enlist kids of all ages to weed as much as their capabilities and attention span will allow. Then I’d finish the job alone. Some kids love being the super hero who wrestles burdock’s three-foot taproot out of the ground and onto the heap.
The balance is to teach respect and enjoyment of the family gardens and make sure there’s a garden a kid can call his or her own. Here dirt and water are the stuff of magic, and surprises lurk between rows. Anyone can succeed under the sun. “I did it myself” is a powerful thing.
•Recognize that kids’ gardening priorities are different, well, practically opposite of adults’.
•Let kids choose what to plant. Offer guidance and make sure there are some sure-success plants among their picks. But if they want beets, roses, and petunias, why not?
•Relax your standards. Crooked rows or weeds as pets are fine.
•Transplanting is fun, even if your child plays with plants the way they move action figures or Barbies about. But remind them that plants’ roots need some time to grow in one place.
•Leave room for good old-fashioned digging. Holes are a highly popular landscape feature. Look for worms. Add water, and frogs appear.
•Model the message that some insects are beneficial, and even destructive bugs are highly interesting.
•Do behind-the-scenes maintenance of kids’ gardens, keeping them edged and weeded. Don’t expect kids to do all the watering and pest patrol.
•You decide: when it comes to impending doom (no pumpkins appeared on vines; the daisy is uprooted and sunning on the deck) do you add a pumpkin from the farm stand? Replace the daisy? Some parents use loss as a lesson; others smooth things over for success.
•Remember: One of the best things you ever grow may be a gardener!
SEPTEMBER’S PLANT OF THE MONTH:
Globe Allium (Onions)
Because ornamental globe onions (the alliums) bloom in summer, they are oftentimes forgotten when planting spring bulbs during the fall. While crocus, daffodils, tulips and hyacinths are long finished blooming before gardens begin with their summer perennial show, the alliums, on the other hand, are perfectly suited for the perennial border.
There are short ones for the edge, mid-sized for the middle of the border and tall ones for interspersing throughout for added height. Most notable are the huge purple spheres that punctuate Madison area gardens throughout the month of June. The most famous of these are ‘Globemaster’ , ‘Giganteum’ and ‘Gladiator’. It’s difficult not to stop and take note when these giant alliums are in full bloom.
Traditionally, the alliums are found at garden centers among the spring bulb selection beginning in late August or early September and are best planted in mid- to late October along with their more familiar spring bulb counterparts. Bulbs for the largest varieties are themselves quite large and sold individually. The mid-sized varieties like ‘Purple Sensation’ or ‘Star of Persia’ are sold 5 or more to a bag. The species and shorter types are sold 10 or more to a package. Though prices have come down in recent years, the giant alliums are still an investment–but a reliable investment in that they are truly hardy perennials that are never bothered by deer or rodents. Because the large alliums are so impressive, one need add only a few each fall for an impressive display in a few short years. Alliums make lovely cut flowers and some are especially attractive in bouquets once the flower heads have dried.
Klein’s carries an excellent assortment of all types of allium bulbs–in fact, too many to mention here. But because they’re so popular, make sure to shop early for best selection.
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.
GLEAM, Art in a New Light
September 1 thru October 30
Wednesdays thru Saturdays in September from 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. in October, rain or shine
In the gardens @ Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Definition: Gleam n. a flash of light; n. an appearance of reflected light; v. shine brightly like a star or light; v. appear briefly
GLEAM is a GO!
Olbrich Gardens’ GLEAM exhibit will shine bright this fall, providing a fun and safe way for everyone to explore the outdoor Gardens at night!
Designers from around the country and beyond will transform the Gardens with art installations that swing, fly, flutter, and float! Step into the world of infinity and learn the secret to unlocking the rainbow.
Advanced timed-tickets are required and are available @ olbrich.doubleknot.com/
GLEAM, an annual outdoor art exhibit, features large scale light installations created by local, regional, and international designers. Take an enchanting stroll through Olbrich’s 16-acre garden after dark and see the Gardens in a whole new light!
-Admittance limited to 200 visitors every 30 minutes
-Touch-free ticket scanned at the front doors allows for limited contact with staff and volunteers
-Early admittance not permitted; each time slot is allotted a 10-minute arrival window
-No internet access, no problem – contact Missy Jeanne at 608-246-5616 for assistance with ticket purchasing
Face Mask Policy:
Face masks are required indoors in Dane Co. per the mandates @ your registered time. Face masks are optional outdoors but recommended.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Nature Hike
Sunday, September 5, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Walk
Learn about the land; plants, animals, and fungi; phenology; and ecological practices and concepts. Geared for adults, these longer walks may cover some sloping terrain. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks take place rain or shine, except in unsafe weather. Free, no registration required. Event capacity is limited. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Wild Food/Wild Medicine Plant Walk
Tuesday, September 7, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm
Location: Willy Street Co-op North, 2817 N. Sherman Ave., Madison, 53704
Join herbalist and forager Linda Conroy to explore the wild plants that grow around us. We will learn about common and uncommon wild plants that can be used for food and medicine. Identification techniques, as well as ways to prepare plants for optimal nutrition and healing will be discussed. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. Registration required.
Ages: 10 and older; adult supervision required.
Fee: $20 for Owners; $30 for non-owners. Register @ https://docs.google.com/forms/
Willy Street Co-op East
1221 Williamson St.
Madison, WI 53703
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 251-6776
Botanic Talk: Merrill Community Sharing Gardens
Wednesday, September 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Learn more about Beloit’s Merrill Community Sharing Gardens
This program is being held at 6:30PM on Wednesday, Sept. 8 at Rotary Botanical Gardens. The speaker will be Kaelyb Lokrantz.
The Merrill Community Sharing Garden is just under an acre in urban Beloit. Kaelyb will be discussing the Merrill Community Sharing Garden’s history, mission, and future accompanied with stories from the garden and many photos!
The Merrill Community Sharing Garden Mission:
-To create opportunities for broader community engagement in the Merrill Neighborhood.
-To provide fresh produce to our neighbors.
-To preserve, respect, and enjoy the natural biodiversity of the garden
Cost & registration details:
The cost to attend is $7 for Rotary Botanical Gardens members, or $10 for non-members. Deadline for this Botanic Talk is 9/6.
To register, please complete this form (https://
ALL areas of the registration form must be complete. Please complete a separate form for each registrant.
-In person: at our Garden Gift Gallery (check, cash, or credit card) – Open Daily 9a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
-By mail: send completed form with your check made out to Rotary Botanical Gardens to Attn: Education Coordinator, 1455 Palmer Drive, Janesville, WI 53545.
NOTE: Registration and payment must be received prior to the deadline in order to be enrolled in the class.
-By phone: please call (608) 752-3885 to register over the phone with a credit card.
Cancellations & refunds:
Classes cancelled due to low enrollment will be refunded automatically, and you will be notified by phone or email of the cancellation.
Please call (608) 314-8415 or email delaney.sherwood@
Rotary Botanical Gardens
608/752-3885 or www.rotarybotanicalgardens.
Rotary Gardens 2021 Fall Plant and Mum Sales
Saturday, September 9-12
Visit our website as details unfold.
Rotary Botanical Gardens
608/752-3885 or www.rotarybotanicalgardens.
Community Hummingbird Garden Tours
Sunday, September 12, 1:00-5:30 p.m.
Friday, September 17, 3:00-7:00 p.m.
5118 Buffalo Trail, Madison, 53705 (near Hilldale & Oscar Rennebohm Park)
Please note that unlike last year, this is again a drop-in event. However, face coverings are mandatory even if vaccinated and we encourage physical distancing. The entire event is held outside.
One of Wisconsin’s Hummingbird Banders, Mickey O’Connor, will be banding hummingbirds on Sunday, Sept. 12. Additionally, Larry Scheunemann will present an informative and fun class about hummingbirds on Friday, Sept. 17. We have 100+ plants and shrubs on display (including some rare salvias from South America), 20 hummingbird feeders, a garden pond and a door prize drawing on each day. You must be present to win. We will also provide printed information about hummingbird gardening. Please bring your own water or beverage bottle. Food will not be served and should not be brought or shared.
For more info please contact Kathi or Michael Rock at kathijr@yahoo.com.
Visit sites.google.com/view/
Family Nature Walk
Sunday, September 12, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Walk
This walk is a fun and fascinating way for families with children elementary age and younger to explore the natural world. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks take place rain or shine, except in unsafe weather. Adults must attend. Free, no registration required. Event capacity is limited. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Reading the Land
Saturday, September 18, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Class
Learn about the ecosystems of southern Wisconsin – oak savannas, prairies, wetlands, and woodland – and their primary characteristics. We will also cover the basics of a site analysis and how to read the land, including soil, light, topography, and plant features, and practice ecosystem observation skills. Come prepared to spend time indoors and outdoors. Instructor: Sylvia Marek. Fee: $30. Register by September 13. Meet in the outdoor classroom. Rain date: September 19, 1–4 p.m.
Register @ arboretum.wisc.edu/classes/
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Full Moon Night Walk
Saturday, September 18, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Walk
The Harvest Moon (full September 20) is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. Traditionally an asset to farmers harvesting crops, the light of this moon is also memorable for bird watchers during fall migration. How many bird silhouettes can you identify? Free, no registration required. Event capacity is limited. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Nature Hike
Sunday, September 19, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Walk
Learn about the land; plants, animals, and fungi; phenology; and ecological practices and concepts. Geared for adults, these longer walks may cover some sloping terrain. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks take place rain or shine, except in unsafe weather. Free, no registration required. Event capacity is limited. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Garden Stroll
Sunday, September 26, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Walk
This gently paced stroll through the gardens is well-suited for a multi-generational outing. Learn about plants, animals, and fungi; phenology; and ecology. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks take place rain or shine, except in unsafe weather. Routes are wheelchair accessible when weather allows. Free, no registration required. Event capacity is limited. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Rotary Garden’s What’s In Bloom? Tour
Wednesday, September 29, from 6:00-6:30 p.m.
Join Michael Jesiolowski RBG Director of Horticulture, for a tour of the gardens and descriptions of what is in bloom. Cost: $10 non-members; free for members. Registration required. 20-person limit.
Rotary Botanical Gardens
1455 Palmer Drive
Janesville, WI,
608/752-3885 or www.rotarybotanicalgardens.
Dane County Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, Now thru November 13, 6:15-1:45
On the Capitol Square
Wednesdays, Now thru November 3, 8:30-1:45
In the 200 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
For details visit www.dcfm.org
Northside Farmers Market
Sundays, Now through October 24, 8:30-12:30
In the Northside TownCenter at the intersection of N. Sherman Ave. and Northport Dr. across from Warner Park.
The Northside Farmers Market is a nonprofit community enterprise. It is one of the newest and fastest growing farmers’ markets in Dane County. In keeping with the innovative spirit of Madison’s Northside, we are surpassing what defines the traditional farmers’ market. Our fundamental principles include:
–Providing an abundant selection of high quality, locally grown foods.
The market accepts Quest, WIC and Senior FMNP vouchers.
–Supporting our local agricultural entrepreneurs who are increasingly important today in ensuring that we have the best and safest food possible.
–Educating the community about traditional foods and the history of local agriculture in an attempt to preserve (and expand upon) our rich heritage.
–Promoting nutrition and the market by hosting dinners for neighborhood groups and seniors.
Parking is always FREE!
For details visit www.northsidefarmersmarket.org
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 for 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:
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 SEPTEMBER:
—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 2022 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 next season.
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