‘THE SAGE’-Klein’s Online Newsletter—MARCH 2022
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 @ a Garden Center?
Forcing Branches for Winter Color
Klein’s Tips for Starting Seeds Indoors
Now Available: Fresh Windowsill Herbs in 5” Pots
Monrovia’s Shop Online…Shopping Made Easy
Gardening Trends for 2022
Klein’s Favorite Seed, Bulb & Plant Sources
You Asked about a ZZ Plant Problem
Plant of the Month: Shamrock Oxalis
Klein’s Favorite Recipes for a St. Patty’s Day Feast
Product Spotlight: Purple Cow Organics Seed Starter Mix
Notes from Rick’s Garden Journal—From February 2022
—Seeds from Territorial Seed Company
—The Importance of Sterilizing Equipment
—The Mason Bee: An Important Native Pollinator
March in the Garden: A Planner
Gardening Events Around Town
Join Us on Twitter
Follow Us on Facebook
HAVE YOU MOVED RECENTLY?
If so, we ask that as we go into the busy spring season, you update your new address in association with Klein’s Rewards Program so you continue to receive all possible benefits.
In addition to occasional coupons, we’ve been mailing out birthday month postcards with an added gift during the past year or so and find that many are being returned with an invalid address. We don’t want you to miss out!
If your address has recently changed, please send your new information to info@kleinsfloral.com and please include your name and your old address as reference.
EVER THOUGHT ABOUT WORKING AT A GARDEN CENTER?
For details visit our website at kleinsfloral.com/2022/01/we-
NOW AVAILABLE: FRESH WINDOWSILL HERBS IN 5” POTS
Choose from rosemary, bay laurel, 5 different kinds of lavender, 3 types of oregano, 4 types of sage, 4 types of thyme, 6 types of mint plus parsley, curry plant and sweet marjoram. Our herbs are grown quite cool so are, therefore, compact, bushy and pest-free.
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. 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.
MARCH STORE HOURS:
Monday thru Friday : 9:00-6:00
Saturday: 9:00-5:00
Sunday: 10:00-4:00
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
March 1—Mardi Gras
March 1—Ash Wednesday
March 8—International Women’s Day
March 13—Daylight Saving Time Begins
March 16—Purim Begins
March 17—St. Patrick’s Day. From shamrocks to green carnations–we have it!
March 20—First Day of Spring!!!! It’s still too early to plant, but you’ll notice spring bulbs peeking through the cold soil, trees buds bulging and maybe even that first robin. Keep in mind that Madison’s average last frost date is May 10 so there’s usually still lots of cold and snow to come.
April 1—April Fool’s Day
‘THE FLOWER SHOPPE’:
Forcing Branches for Winter Color
By B. Rosie Lerner and Michael N. Dana
Does the bleak, cold dullness of winter sometimes get you down? Then why not bring springtime into your home by forcing tree and shrub branches into bloom? Branches can be used as background for an arrangement or for an entire floral display, and you can prune your shrubs and trees as you selectively remove branches for forcing.
Early spring flowering trees and shrubs form their flower buds in the fall before the plants go dormant. After a period of at least 8 weeks of temperatures below 40°F (usually after January 1), branches can be cut and forced into bloom.
Most flowering shrubs are fairly easy to force, while trees are more difficult. The later in the winter you cut the branches, the shorter the forcing time becomes.
Gathering Branches
Select healthy, young branches with numerous flower buds, which are usually larger and more plump than foliar buds. When cutting fruit tree branches, choose those that have many spurs, the short compact side shoots which bear the flowers. Choose branches from crowded areas of the plant when possible, since you will be removing some of the plant’s natural spring display.
Follow good pruning principles when cutting the branches. Cut about 1/4 inch above a side bud or branch so that no stub is left behind. Cut the branches about 6-18 inches long; longer branches are easiest to use in floral arrangements.
Getting Branches to Bloom
After bringing the branches indoors, make a second cut on a slant just above the previous cut. If temperatures are below freezing when you cut the branches, immerse the branches full length in cool water for several hours or overnight. A large tub or basin may be helpful. This keeps the buds from bursting prematurely. If the weather is above freezing, there is no need for a soak.
Next, put the branches in a container which will hold them upright. Add warm water (110°F) no higher than 3 inches on the stems. A flower preservative will help prolong the vase life of the branches (see homemade recipes that follow). Allow to stand for 20-30 minutes, and then fill the container with additional preservative solution. Place the container in a cool (60-65°F), partially shaded location. Keep the water level at its original height.
Finally, when the buds show color, move the branches to a lighted room. But don’t put them in direct sunlight. At this time they can be removed from the storage container and arranged in the desired manner. Be sure the arrangement has an ample water supply at all times. To prolong its beauty, place the arrangement in a cool location, particularly during the evening. The following homemade preservative recipes are usable for most cut flowers.
Homemade Preservative #1
2 cups lemon-lime carbonated beverage
2 cups water
1 /2 teaspoon household chlorine bleach
Homemade Preservative #2
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon household chlorine bleach
mix with 1 quart water
Homemade Preservative #3
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon household chlorine bleach
mix with 1 quart water
Rooting
Rooting may occur on the branches of some species during the forcing period. If the rooted branch is desired for a new plant, remove the branch from the water when the roots are 1/4 to 3/8 inches long. All branches should be trimmed to a length of approximately 6-8 inches. Then pot individually, and keep moist until permanent roots are formed. When warm weather arrives, the new plant can be planted outdoors. However, protection may be needed for 1-2 years.
Best Branches for Forcing
The best blooming shrubs for forcing branches indoors include:
Bridal Wreath Spirea (Spirea prunifolia)
Cherry (Prunus sp.)
Crabapple (Malus sp.)
Flowering Almond (Prunus glandulosa)
Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles sp.)
Forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia)
Honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.)
Lilac (Syringa sp.)
Mockorange (Philadelphus coronarius)
Pussy Willow (Salix sp.)
Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Redtwig Dogwood (Cornus sericea, C. stolonifera)
Rhododendron (Rhododendron sp.)
Source: www.hort.purdue.edu
YOU ASKED. . .
The ZZ plant was featured in your newsletter last month as a rugged, tolerant plant. I am definitely doing something wrong. I have had my plant for several years, but it has been dropping whole fronds for the last several months. A “stalk” will begin to turn yellow and eventually die altogether. The remaining fronds look dark green and healthy. Help? Jean
Hi Jean,
ZZ plants truly thrive on neglect. Because our days are so short during the winter, people have a tendency of overwatering (if even slightly) ZZs during the winter months. They store a lot of water in their stems and roots and are treated more like succulents than tropical plants. They are so slow growing that even a single overwatering can be hard to rectify until the plant shows the symptoms you describe and a part of the plant shuts down. That said, it is possible for them to be underwatered too and many of the symptoms would be similar. Only you know which situation might be the case.
Though ZZs are touted as a plant for low light conditions, they do best in a bright location. ZZ plants are very light feeders so I find fertilizing not necessary. In fact, fertilizer burn might show some of the same symptoms you describe.
Thanks for your question,
DID YOU KNOW. . .
. . . that you can order plants directly from Monrovia Nursery online and then pick up your order at Klein’s upon arrival in the springtime?
How To Use Monrovia’s Order Online…
Step 1: Bring Nature Home
Whether you’re looking to add a special plant to beautify your garden, or hoping to be inspired by something unique and perfectly suited for your landscape, Monrovia has the widest selection of the highest quality plants online today. From trees, shrubs and vines to stunning flowering perennials, color-rich annuals or delicious edibles, their plants are grown beautifully to thrive, ready for you to enjoy in your landscape.
Step 2: Select Your Perfect Plant
Select from the list of more than 3,000 varieties. Shop by area, by category, and by your preferred sizes. They’ll ship only when your plant is ready. Because bloom times and other conditions vary, delivery may take up to 3 to 4 weeks in spring.
Pre-ordering during the fall and winter? No problem! Monrovia will care for your plants until spring and then ship them to you when they are in prime planting condition for your landscape.
Step 3: Choose Your Garden Center
Your plant will be shipped for free to Klein’s along with our Monrovia plant order. Monrovia delivers plants nationwide to hundreds of local garden centers. Find the one that’s perfect for you if you’re not in the Madison area.
Step 4: Pick Up Locally and Easily
You’ll be notified when the plants are on the truck headed to Klein’s. We will contact you when they arrive. Your plants will arrive specially packaged with your name clearly visible. Please note that Monrovia plants are grown at many locations nationwide and can show up anytime during May and into early June.
Step 5: Get Growing
When you take your plants home, you’ll find an information label that offers step-by-step planting instructions and information. Browse Monrovia’s blog for inspiring tips and design ideas.
Click on www.monrovia.com to start.
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.
Purple Cow Organics Seed Starter Mix
Available in 12 qt. and 1 cu ft bags
A living media containing beneficial biology and nutrients to get your plants off to a healthy start. Seed Starter Mix is a fine-textured blend that promotes rapid germination and vigorous seedlings. This mix includes Purple Cow Activated Compost, sphagnum peat, perlite, vermiculite, OMRI listed granular fertilizer, and mineral complex to get your plants off to a healthy start. It is intended for seed starting in trays, blocks or small containers–balancing drainage and wicking action to keep roots moist.
Benefits of PCO Seed Starter Mix
- Increased germination
- Good seedling vigor
- Sturdy seedlings at transplanting
- Save money with less watering and fertility inputs
- More effective cultivation due to compact, healthy upright plants
- Crafted on our computerized blending line for consistent media every time
Klein’s Tips on Starting Seeds Indoors for Your Summer Garden:
Starting your own plants from seed can be both rewarding and frustrating for the beginning gardener. From experience, it’s best to start out slow. This eliminates some of the frustration. Experience will gain you knowledge and confidence.
Before starting your seeds, read the packet and get a little basic information. Some seeds are best sown directly in the garden come spring and not started indoors. It’s best to do a little research by going online or purchasing a good gardening book. The packets themselves will usually tell you whether to direct sow in the garden or how many weeks before our last frost date to sow indoors. Our last frost date is about May 10 here in Madison. Using a calendar, count back from May 10 and this will be your sow date.
Do not sow all your seeds at one time! You’ll be sowing seeds weekly from February through late April depending on the plants you’re wanting to start and following the above sow date guidelines. As examples, pansies are started in February, peppers in early March, tomatoes in late March and and morning glories in late April. Sown too early, one ends up with leggy, weak plants.
One can start seeds on any sunny windowsill and in almost any container. Warmth and moisture are critical in getting most seeds to germinate. But a few pieces of basic and inexpensive equipment purchased at your garden center and/or hardware store will help you get started and make your seed starting experience more successful. Here is a shopping list:
- A heating mat–makes seeds germinate quickly and uniformly
- A few 10×20” trays without holes
- A few clear humidity domes
- A sterile seed starting mix
- A 2’-4’ shop lamp w/ multi-strips of LED bulbs (you don’t need “gro-lights”)
- or a seed growing rack if you’d like to make an investment (Lights are included.)
- A few 10×20” trays with holes or web trays
- A few sheets of empty cell packs, e.g. 4-packs or 6-packs
- A water mister
- A timer
- A soilless potting mix for later transplanting
All of the above items, except the timers and shop lights, are available at Klein’s.
Again, following package instructions, sow the seeds, as many as you want, in a very shallow, open container, filled with moistened seed starting mix. This container can be anything from very low or cut off dairy containers to disposable food storage containers. Per package instructions, cover or don’t cover the seed. Some seeds require light for germination. Next place your seeded containers in a tray without holes, mist them till well watered and cover with a humidity dome. Place your covered tray on the warmed heating mat under the shop light. Set your timer so the shop light is on for 13 hours (off for 11 hours).
In a few days, as your seeds begin to sprout, remove them from under the humidity dome and place in a well-lit, warm location. Keep your seeds and seedlings moist. Different seeds sprout at different rates so this can take from a few days to a few weeks. Once all your seeds have germinated, unplug your heating mat. You can now move all of your seedlings to under the shop light still set at 13 hours.
Once your seedlings have 2 sets of “real” leaves it’s time to “prick them out” (transplant them). Do this by placing a sheet of empty cell packs in a tray with holes. The holes now become necessary for proper drainage. Fill the cells with soilless potting mix and moisten well with the mister. Using a pen or pencil “dibble” a hole into each of the cells. This is where you’ll now place your seedling. Remove the seed starting mix and seedlings as a clump from their starting containers. Gently break apart this root ball, separating your seedlings. The pen or pencil will come in handy as an added tool to help separate the seedlings. Carefully place one seedling in each of the holes you put in the prepped cells. Gently firm in with your finger tips. Mist well to water thoroughly and place in a warm, well lit area. Using your shop light again makes this easy. The seedlings may seem weak and somewhat abused, but they’re very resilient and will pop back quickly. When watering, fertilize your new plants with a very dilute solution, rather than at full rate.
Then in late April or early May, begin hardening off your young starts outdoors (a whole other topic). By usually May 15-20 your flowers and vegetables (and the weather) should be ready to plant into your garden or containers and you can say that you did it yourself–beginning to end.
NOTES FROM MY GARDEN JOURNAL–Tips and Observations from My Own Garden by Rick Halbach
ENTRY: FEBRUARY 4, 2022 (Seeds from Territorial Seed Company)
Seeds that I ordered last month for my 2022 flower and vegetable garden are appearing almost daily in my mailbox. Today’s arrival came from Territorial Seed Co. of Cottage Grove, OR. They are one of my favorite seed sources for their wide variety of vegetables especially. Seeds are in high demand again this year so luckily I ordered early. In 2021 many seed companies stopped taking orders in mid-January due to the high demand.
About Territorial Seed Company
Our purpose is to improve people’s self-sufficiency and independence by enabling gardeners to produce an abundance of good tasting, fresh from the garden food, twelve months a year.
Territorial Seed Company is a privately held company, wholly owned by Tom and Julie Johns. Purchased in 1985 from its founder Steve Solomon, Tom and Julie have grown the business substantially over the past 40 years but have never strayed far from the original course set by Steve.
The first Territorial Seed catalog was written in the fall of 1979. Running a regional seed company responsibly meant sifting through the thousands of varieties available from a worldwide market to find the highest-quality, best-adapted ones.
The average distance any supermarket-bound vegetable or fruit travels to the store is 800 miles? But a gardener’s own fruits and vegetables move from the garden to the table within minutes, with every ounce of nutritional value intact. Tom and Julie’s first Territorial Seed catalogs offered a fresh-from-the garden look and alternative, as Tom focused on expanding selections of customers’ favorites; more tomatoes (from 15 varieties to 75), then sweet peas, garlic, year-round lettuces and sunflowers for the birds.
All of the seed varieties we offer were trialed and evaluated at our farm. Only crops that have proven to thrive and yield the highest quality crops will receive our stamp of approval and be included in our offerings. In addition, the live plants that we offer and send to you are raised in our farm greenhouses. To ensure we sell only top performing seed, you’ll be interested to know we have established germination standards that are higher than prescribed by the Federal Seed Act. We test every lot of seed we sell to ensure success in your garden. In addition to providing our customers with the highest quality seeds and plants, we strive to operate our farm in an environmentally safe and sustainable manner. We are proud to have the following certifications at our farm: USDA organic by CCOF Certification Services LLC, Biodynamic® by Demeter USA, and Salmon-Safe by Salmon-Safe Inc.
Source: territorialseed.com
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ENTRY: FEBRUARY 5, 2022 (The Importance of Sterilizing Equipment)
I spent the entire day today cleaning my seed starting room and sterilizing all seed starting equipment. My seed starting room is the old workshop in my home’s basement. Because it was a workshop, I’m lucky to have a sizable workbench, lots of cabinet and shelf space and a ton of electrical outlets for my heating mats and banks of florescent fixtures. The seed starting room also doubles as my office with a desk, file cabinet, my computer and a stereo. The room acts as a sanctuary on cold winter days. Sometimes I’ll spend the entire day in my private jungle.
Before I start this year’s batch of seeds I first ready the room by thoroughly sweeping and washing everything down with warm soapy water. Next, I wipe down my seed starting racks and and work surfaces with a 1:16 solution of bleach and water, allowing the surfaces to remain wet for some minutes. This allows the bleach to do its job in killing all pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc.) from the previous season. I also soak all trays, inserts, humidity domes and tools in the same bleach mixture in the laundry sink.
I’ve learned from past experience that skipping the sterilizing step can mean trouble. A few years back I was short on time and decided to go ahead and plant my pepper seeds without sterilizing the trays first. I usually plant about a dozen varieties of both edible and ornamental peppers. The seeds germinated as usual and for the first few days everything seemed fine. Then suddenly, after about a week, my seemingly healthy seedlings toppled over. It started in one area of the tray and spread through the seedlings like wildfire and within 2 days my entire flat of seedlings was no more. My seedlings experienced ‘damping off’–a fungal disease usually found in contaminated soil and spread in unfavorable growing conditions. I started over after first sterilizing the trays and seed racks.
My next batch of pepper seedlings turned out perfectly, proving to me the problem was not the seed, the soil or the growing conditions (I’ve always started my seeds in that room). The fact is that I had skipped that one vital step with disastrous results. Now I set aside enough time to go through my preparation checklist thoroughly and I haven’t had a problem since!
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ENTRY: FEBRUARY 24, 2022 (The Mason Bee: An Important Native Pollinator)
Product is arriving to Klein’s fast and furious during these late weeks of winter. Among them are mason bee houses. I’m planning on purchasing a mason be this season hoping to increase the number of native pollinators in my garden.
About Mason Bees, Osmia spp.
Mason bees are common in the United States, especially in forested regions, but they are also found in many other parts of the northern hemisphere.
About 140 species of mason bees are found in North America out of about 200 species worldwide. Mason bees are named for their habit of using mud or other “masonry” products in constructing their nests, which are made in naturally occurring gaps such as between cracks in stones or other small dark cavities
The Blue Orchard Bee, Osmia lignaria, is the Mason Bee species that is native to Wisconsin and the species you are most likely to see in your garden.
It’s much easier to identify a mason bee by its behavior than its appearance. There are various types of mason bees and their characteristics will differ. Listing each one’s identifying traits would be quite a task!
Some mason bees look a lot like honey bees, others can easily be confused with the common house fly. In general, they are smaller than the average honeybee and grow to about 0.3 inches. They are most commonly identified by the metallic tint on their skin.
Mason bees have faint lines that appear as stripes across their skin. Unlike in some other bees, these stripes are never yellow or red. They will follow the color of the bee’s skin—shiny, metallic, and black, blue, or even green.
Mason bees emerge from their cocoons in the spring. Males emerge first and remain near the female nest and try to extract females from their cocoons. When the females emerge, they mate with one or more males. Males soon die and females begin to provision new nests.
The females soon begin to collect pollen and lay eggs. Larval bees feed for several weeks inside their closed cells. They pupate in late summer and spend the autumn and winter as adults inside their pupal cocoons in the nest. They emerge from the cocoons in the spring, coinciding with flowering of many orchard crops. The new generation of bees then begins the cycle over again.
Mason bees are solitary.
Mason bees are very effective pollinators. Two or three females can pollinate the equivalent of a mature apple tree in one season. Their range of plant pollination is several hundred feet so they are useful for gardens and small orchards. They fly in cool or rainy weather and can supplement or replace honey bees as commercial pollinators in some situations.
Help Homeless Mason Bees
Since Mason bees do not use hives like honey bees. In nature, mason bees place their eggs in holes drilled by beetles or woodpeckers. The bees will also use spaces between roof shingles or other narrow openings around the garden. There are a number of commercial products that you can purchase to house mason bees or you can make your own!
Once you have your mason bee house, the first step will be deciding where to hang it. The optimal location to hang your mason bee house is 6 to 7 feet off the ground, preferably under an eave of your house, garage, shed or some other shelter. If this is not an option, choose a house design that provides adequate shelter from the elements on its own
After bees mate, the female places eggs in the holes. Each egg is separated by nectar and pollen—it is at this time that the bees’ pollen-gathering also pollinates plants.
After the pollen and nectar is placed, the female places a mud plug in the tube (hence the term “mason”), then repeats the process with more eggs, pollen, nectar and plugs.
When the tube is full, she finishes with a heavy mud plug and her work is done.
In the spring, the mature bees emerge from the holes. Males exit first. Females emerge after males because the eggs are placed deeper in the tubes. This is a protective measure, assuring a good female population to help keep the species going.
Be patient. You will get a few bees the first years, more the second year, and after a while you will have many.
Source: wisconsinpollinators.com
KLEIN’S RECIPES OF THE MONTH—These are a selection of relatively simple recipes chosen by our staff. New recipes appear monthly. Enjoy!!
March is the month of St. Patrick’s Day and a traditional Irish meal goes hand in hand with the festivities. One of Klein’s staff members once belonged to a very longstanding ethnic dinner cooking club that put together the following perfect Irish menu for one of their get togethers from February of 1994 to celebrate one of the member’s strong Irish heritage. This simple-to-make, foolproof menu remains as one of the club’s very favorites to this day—almost 30 years later.
CHEDDAR & PARSNIP SOUP–This scrumptious soup comes from the pages Sundays at Moosewood.
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tsp. salt
2 TBS. vegetable oil
2-3 tsp. caraway seeds
1 lb. parsnips, peeled and cubed
3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
3 cups water
1/4 tsp. ground fennel seeds
3 cups grated medium sharp cheddar (about 8 oz.)
3 cups milk
chopped fresh parsley or dill (optional)
In a 3 qt. saucepan, sauté the onion with the salt in the oil on low heat until the onions become translucent, about 10 minutes. Mix in the caraway and parsnips. Stir and simmer gently about 5 minutes. Add the potatoes and the water. Bring to a boil. Moderately simmer for about 10-15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and easily pierced. Remove the soup from the heat. Stir in the fennel and the cheese. When the cheese has melted, pour in the milk. Allow the soup to cool 5-10 minutes. Puree the soup in the pot with a hand emersion blender or in batches in a traditional blender or food processor. Gently reheat, being careful not to let it boil. Serve sprinkled with parsley or dill. Serves 6.
IRISH SODA BREAD–A lovely and easy-to-make bread from The Frugal Gourmet on Our Immigrant Ancestors by Jeff Smith. This recipe makes two loaves.
6 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
3 TBS. cornstarch
t tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 1/2 cups buttermilk
Preheat the oven to 375º. Add all of the dry ingredients to a large bowl an mix well. Pour all of the buttermilk into the bowl at once and stir, using a wooden spoon, until a soft dough is formed. Do not try to make it smooth at this point. Pour the contents of the bowl out onto the counter or a cutting board and knead for a minute or so until everything comes together.
Divide the dough into two portions and shape into a round loaf, pressing the top down a bit to just barely flatten it. Place the loaves on a large ungreased baking sheet. Sprinkle a little additional flour on the top of each loaf and, using a sharp knife, make a cross is in slashes on top of each.
Allow the loaves to rest 10 minutes and then bake on the middle rack of the oven fro 40 minutes, or until golden brown and done to taste. Cool on racks before serving.
COLCANNON (MASHED POTATOES WITH CABBAGE)–Traditionally a ring or a coin is added to this dish, forecasting good luck for the guest who is served the portion containing the prize.
2 lbs. (about 6) medium potatoes
3 cups shredded cabbage (about 1/2 of a small head)
6 chopped scallions (greens and all)
1/4 cup water
1/8 tsp. salt
1/3-1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup softened butter of margarine
1 tsp. salt
a dash of pepper
more butter or margarine
Heat 1 inch salted water (1/2 tsp. to 1 cup water) to a boil. Add the potatoes. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and cook until tender, 30-35 minutes; drain. Heat the cabbage, scallions, water and 1/8 tsp. salt to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer until tender crisp, 5-10 minutes; drain.
Mash the well-cooked potatoes until no lumps remain. Beat in the milk in small amounts. Add 1/4 cup butter, 1 tsp. salt and the pepper; beat until the potatoes are light and fluffy. Stir in the cabbage and the scallions. Put into a serving bowl and dot with additional butter to taste. Serves 6.
THE PERFECT CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE–From Great Good Food by Julee Rosso. This party-sized recipe serves 12 and makes for great leftovers! Adjust amounts as needed for your family.
5 lbs. corned beef, trimmed of fat
3 bay leaves
1 TBS. caraway seeds
freshly ground pepper
12 large onions
12 large carrots cut into 3” pieces
3 green cabbages, quartered
1 cup fresh chopped parsley
Mustard Sauce and/or Horseradish Sauce (recipes follow)
Place the meat in a very large, heavy stock pot and cover it with water. Bring to a boil and skim the surface. Add the bay leaves, caraway and pepper. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour. Add the onions and carrots; cover and cook 30 minutes. Add the cabbage and cook another 30 minutes.
Slice the meat and arrange it on a large platter, surrounded with the vegetables and sprinkled with the parsley. Pass the sauces at the table.
HORSERADISH SAUCE–Use with corned beef, roast beef, smoked fish or as a dip. Yields one cup.
3 TBS. grated horseradish
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup cottage cheese
With a whisk, whip together the yogurt and cottage cheese then blend in the horseradish and the mustard. Refrigerate.
MUSTARD SAUCE–Use with corned beef, fish or burgers. Yields 3/4 cup.
6 TBS. Dijon mustard
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
1/4 cup sour cream
Combine all of the ingredients and refrigerate until needed.
NATURAL NEWS–
Gardening Trends for 2022
With gardening now more popular than ever, we’re seeing trends showing that gardeners are becoming increasingly more experimental than trends seen in the past few decades. Young people are gardening at numbers never before seen and experienced gardeners are opening themselves to fresh ideas and garden practices.
Trends for 2022 include:
Everyone seems to be gardening and are…
…wanting to learn the garden basics about prep, amendments, pests, etc.
…wanting more color in their lives by growing more flowers and especially cut flowers
…wanting to use this moment to take on garden challenges; dig a new bed, redo old beds, create an outdoor living space, etc.
Adding the above mentioned outdoor living space.
With all the current news of the world, people are wanting to relax at home and especially in the garden. Seating areas, shade structures, outdoor kitchen and bar areas, built in fire pits and water features all continue to be in high demand. Proving this trend, landscape designers and installers are oftentimes currently booked out years in advance due to the demand and finding a landscaper can now be a challenge.
Sustainability continues to trend strong.
What are gardeners doing? They’re…
…Composting to save landfill space and amend their soil.
…Planting natives for pollinators and butterflies.
…Conserving water by planting natives and installing rain barrels and rain gardens.
…Mulching beds to conserve water and control weeds thereby reducing chemical use.
…Reducing chemical use; both herbicides for weeds and pesticides that in turn are destroying our beneficial insect populations.
…Planting trees in numbers not seen for generations. Shade trees provide comfort, save energy, give off oxygen and encourage wildlife with protection, shelter and food.
Shopping from and learning from online sources.
The pandemic has changed the world. We now get advice online, buy online, educate ourselves online, share online and visit the world online. The gardening universe is now readily at our fingertips and this trend continues to explode.
Teaching Our children about gardening.
More and more people are discovering the benefits that gardening helps reduce screen time and enhances the family experience. Gardening helps keep children busy and outdoors. The results bring joy with a simple vase of flowers for mom or a delicious salad they helped make with fresh vegetables they grew and harvested from their own garden.
Growing food in any space possible.
“Small space gardening” continues to trend as our population increasingly becomes city dwellers. Container vegetable gardening has never been more popular. One can grow food nearly anywhere. Versions of portable raised beds are now available at nearly all garden centers. Mixing edibles and ornamentals continues to be a hot trend. Vertical and rooftop bed popularity are increasing in popularity to maximize even more growable space.
Experimenting with container options.
Gardeners are wanting to mix up their containers more than ever with new and creative plant combinations. Trends show increased use of tropical plants in northern containers and in striking new combinations with traditional annuals. Monochromatic themes seem to be a hot trend as is the use of conifers, dwarf fruit trees and Japanese maples in large pots.
Houseplants continue to be HOT, HOT, HOT!
…and new, high-in-demand and hard-to-find specimens seem to be hitting the spotlight almost weekly. Plant growers in Florida are finding it hard keep up with the steady demand and reports are finding that large houseplants in short supply after the pandemic caused a huge spike in houseplant sales in 2020 and 2021. In addition, gardeners are using houseplants in whole new ways and especially in outdoor mixed container combinations.
MARCH’S PLANT OF THE MONTH:
Shamrock (Oxalis regnelli and O. triangularis)
Although the shamrock is closely associated with St. Patrick’s Day, many types of oxalis are available almost year round. Plants are long-lived, reproduce easily, bloom nonstop, have gorgeous foliage and are easy-to-grow. And better yet, they do equally well indoors as a houseplant and outdoors in the summer. many series have been especially bred for garden culture. Large three-lobed leaves of rich purple, burgundy or green are set off by delicate pink, lavender or white blooms. They look especially lovely in containers either mixed or on their own. Old varieties of oxalis triangularis required a short period of dormancy between bloom cycles. But the new varieties put out new foliage and flowers almost continuously.
The oxalis plant is actually a mass of tiny bulblets and are available with the summer bulbs at some retailers in the springtime. They grow well in either sun or shade, but depending on the leaf color and variety, some do better in one or the other so it’s best to read the label or ask a sales associate. The plants prefer to stay moderately moist. Allowing them to dry out too much or too frequently sends them into dormancy. But they’re not dead, simply resting. With water they are easily coaxed back to life. As the years pass, they’ll fill an entire pot. Pests are also never a problem, although chipmunks find the tiny bulbs a delicacy and unless protected will quickly ravage the pot.
These plants are native to Mexico.
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.
The Canopy Sessions at Olbrich Gardens
Held on the first Fridays of March and April, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
In the Bolz Conservatory
Start your weekend with a live concert performed in one of Madison’s most unique venues. Explore the tropics, enjoy the warmth, and be entertained by some of the area’s most talented musicians.
- Purchase tickets in-advance online @ Order Tickets or by calling Mike Gibson at 608-243-0156
- Ticket revenue supports local musicians and Olbrich Gardens
- A limited number of reduced fee tickets are available. To request a fee waiver, please contact Mike Gibson at mgibson2@cityofmadison.com or 608-243-0156
- This is a strolling concert. There are a limited number of benches in the Conservatory.
- Lobby doors open at 4:30 p.m., Conservatory doors open at 5 p.m.
- Face masks are required
- No bar service. Carry-in water bottles allowed.
The Canopy Sessions 2022 Schedule:
March 4:
Charanga Agozá—They play charanga music, a dance oriented musical genre that originated in Cuba at the turn of the twentieth century and peaked in the 1950s.
April 1:
The Honey Pies—They apply crystal vocal harmonies and virtuoso instrumental skills to the best of traditional, contemporary, and original Americana music.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Olbrich Garden’s Spring Flower Show
March 5 thru March 27
Daily from 10:00-4:00
In the Olbrich Atrium
As spring approaches, most people are ready to get away from the long winter. Come see what Olbrich Gardens is coloring up for our Spring Flower Show, ROY G. BIV’s Rainbow Rooms!
It’s mulitcolored mayhem! A prismatic party! Creative colorful chaos!
Explore the bright home of Roy G. Biv during Olbrich’s Spring Flower Show! Monochromatic floral displays represent traditional rooms that you would find in a house, however they have all been painted and arranged to match Roy G. Biv himself – Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet – and his extravagant style!
One-of-a-kind scenes are created by the Horticulture Team utilizing collaborations with local businesses and private collectors to construct truly unique and authentic displays. Very special thanks to our members, volunteers and community who donate items and purchase products we need from our Amazon Wish List registry.
After months of preparations and many hours of planning, we are pleased to offer Olbrich’s Spring Flower Show once again. With 300,000+ annual visitors, these fundraisers are vital in keeping the Gardens free and accessible to all.
Admission: $6 for adults 13 & up, $3 for children 3-12, children 2 and under Olbrich Botanical Society members are free. Proceeds benefit Olbrich Gardens.
Olbrich Botanical Society Members are the first to glimpse the beauty of spring in this indoor exhibit of spring blooms from 8-10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 5. Be the first to see the Spring Flower Show during the Member Preview on Saturday, March 5!
Before or after strolling the Spring Flower Show, enjoy warm cup of coffee generously provided by Just Coffee and Greenbush donuts in the Frautschi Family Learning Center.
Elizabeth Marshall will perform in the Bolz Conservatory filling Olbrich’s tropical paradise with melodic sounds.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Walking in Leopold’s Footsteps (Arboretum)
Sunday, March 6, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Walk
Learn where conservationist Aldo Leopold, the Arboretum’s first research director, conducted famous phenological research from 1935 to 1945 and helped establish restorations of Wisconsin ecosystems. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come seasonally prepared for weather and insects. Walks take place rain or shine, except in unsafe weather. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
2022 Green Thumb Gardening Class Series
Mondays thru March 21, 6:00-8:00
(Online only 2022)
The Green Thumb Gardening class series (Winter Vegetable Series Online) will give you the practical knowledge to keep your home garden thriving! Dane County Extension educators and local horticulture experts will provide in depth and accessible information for everyone from the novice to the experienced gardener. Register for the complete class series at a discounted price ($90.00) or individual classes ($12.00) according to your interests.
The Winter Vegetable series is Mondays 6:00pm – 8:00pm, covering seed starting, cover crops and so much more!
March 7: Weed Management in Vegetable Gardens
March 14: Vegetable Insects
March 21: Seed Saving and Harvesting/Storage
Please contact Lisa Johnson @ 608-224-3715 or johnson.lisa@countyofdane.com with questions or for more information.
Dane County University of Wisconsin-Extension
608/224-3700 or dane.uwex.edu
Botanic Talk: Creating Year-Round Beauty in the Garden
Thursday, March 10, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Note: This is virtual program being held via ZOOM. Registrants will received the ZOOM link via email prior to the event.
Gardens can provide us with year-round interest and pleasure. Having a garden that delights in winter requires a little thought and planning in the summer.
Come together, virtually, from 6-7PM on Thursday, March 10 for a conversation with Chanticleer Garden Assistant Horticulturist Chris Fehlhaber, about the planning and practices that will lead to a garden that enchants all year. Participants will learn which plants bring year-round interest, autumn practices and techniques, and tips for attracting birds and wildlife.
Cost & registration details:
The cost to attend is $12 for Rotary Botanical Gardens members, or $15 for non-members. Deadline for this Botanic Talk is March 7.
To register, please complete this form (https://
and submit with your payment.
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 10a.m. – 4:00 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
1455 Palmer Drive
Janesville, WI 53545
608/752-3885 or www.rotarybotanicalgardens.
Family Nature Walk @ the Arboretum
Sunday, March 13, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Walk
This walk is a fun, fascinating way for families with children elementary age and younger to explore the natural world. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come seasonally prepared for weather and insects. Walks take place rain or shine, except in unsafe weather. Adults must attend. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Phenology-Keeping Track of Nature @ the Arboretum
Saturday, March 19, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Class
The March equinox is the perfect time to think about spring unfolding. Phenology—noting the periodic occurrences in the natural world—is both art and science, practiced for millennia across cultures and regions. Learn about different approaches, and maybe find your own. Instructor: Kathy Miner, naturalist. Indoor class. Fee: $20. Register by March 15. Meet at the Visitor Center. This class may be offered virtually if necessary.
The cost is $20. Registration is required for this event. Register @ https://arboretum.wisc.edu/
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Full Moon Night Walk @ the Arboretum
Saturday, March 19, 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Walk
Let your eyes adjust to the moonlight, listen to the night sounds, and experience the darkness on this naturalist-guided walk. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come seasonally prepared for weather and insects. Walks take place except in unsafe weather. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Sunday, March 20, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Walk
Let your eyes adjust to the moonlight, listen to the night sounds, and experience the darkness on this naturalist-guided walk. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come seasonally prepared for weather and insects. Walks take place except in unsafe weather. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Garden Stroll @ the Arboretum
Sunday, March 27, 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. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Ponds, Pines and Birds-Finding Mary Oliver (Arboretum)
Friday, April 1, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Class
Mary Oliver has given us hundreds of poems featuring ponds, pines, and birds, all of which we can find at the Arboretum. We’ll read Mary Oliver poetry from books including Owls and Other Fantasies, Winter Hours, Blue Iris, and White Pine as inspiration to find our own topics to write about from the trail. Instructor: Troy Hess, volunteer team leader. Fee: $15. Meet at the Visitor Center. Outdoor class, come dressed for weather. Register by March 28.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Dane County Late Winter Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, January 8 thru April 9, 8:00-noon
The Garver Feed Mill behind Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3241 Garver Green (access off Fair Oaks Ave.)
The Late Winter Market runs each Saturday from January 8th until the beginning of the outdoor season. Get your market fix all year long. You will still find many of your favorite Dane County Farmers’ Market members, as well as a full array of fruits and vegetables, cheeses, hyper-local meats, honey, bakery items, and many specialty items.
For details visit www.dcfm.org
MARCH IN THE GARDEN–A checklist of things to do this month.
___Pinch back over wintered geraniums one last time. Root cuttings if needed.
___Check perennials for heaving during warm spells. Re-mulch as needed.
___Check for early spring bloomers like crocus, winter aconite & hellebores.
___Begin uncovering roses by month’s end.
___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.
___Keep birdbaths full and clean for the return of the first robins & other arrivals.
___Repair and clean out birdhouses. Early arrivals will be here soon!
___Inventory last year’s leftover seeds before ordering or buying new ones.
___Seed starting is in full swing: petunias, tomatoes, peppers and cole crops.
___Sterilize seed starting equipment and pots with a 1:16 bleach solution.
___Shop for summer bulbs like gladiolas, lilies and dahlias.
___Remove mulch & rodent protection (chicken wire) from tulip and crocus beds
___Use the winter days to plan next summer’s garden.
___March is the month to prune most fruit trees and apply dormant oil.
___Prune late summer and fall blooming shrubs.
___Do not prune spring blooming shrubs like lilacs, forsythia or viburnum.
___Begin bringing in branches for forcing: pussy willow, forsythia, quince, etc.
___As the days lengthen and new growth occurs, increase fertilizing houseplants
___Check your garden for any plant damage from weather or rodents.
___Ready the lawn mower—just a few weeks to go.
___Visit Klein’s—the showrooms are filling up with spring annuals. Pansies, violas, calendula, cole crops & onion sets become available by month’s end.
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 MARCH:
—Transplanting is in full swing on the transplanting line in our back greenhouses.
Employees work 8-10 hour shifts planting thousands of plugs and tiny seedlings into the cell packs you purchase in the spring. Once planted, the flats move by conveyor and then monorail into the various greenhouses, all kept at different temperatures depending on the plant.
—The greenhouses and showrooms are filling fast with thousands of hanging
and potted plants. We’re constantly moving product around, trying to make the best use of space.
—By the end of the month we’re moving product outside into hoop houses. We move product that is very cold tolerant, such as pansies, dianthus, dusty miller, alyssum and even petunias. The cold keeps them compact and pest free and hardens them off for the transition outside. We also need the room in our ever-filling greenhouses.
—Perennial plugs and bare roots arrive and are stepped up into 3 1/2”, quart and gallon sizes. Our perennials are grown quite cold so they invest their energy into rooting out, rather than growing. Plants remain compact. Any remaining perennials from last season are moved outdoors from an unheated greenhouse.
—Geraniums are pinched and shaped for the last time by the first week of the
month. Any later pinching will delay blooming too much for spring sales.
—Retail items are arriving nonstop for unpacking and pricing, everything from
garden ornaments and pottery to pesticides and fertilizers.
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