‘THE SAGE’-Klein’s Online Newsletter—SEPTEMBER 2022
Klein’s Floral & Greenhouses
3758 E. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
608/244-5661 or info@kleinsfloral.com
THIS MONTH’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Now Available: Fall Mums & All of Your Fall Gardening Favorites
Check Out Our Current End-of-Season Specials
Our ‘Mad Gardener‘ and ‘Houseplant Help‘ Are Ready for Your Questions
About Klein’s Fresh Flower Sources
Rose Innovations and Wisconsin’s Knock Out® Rose
A New Report: Monarch Numbers on the Rise in Mexico
Klein’s Favorite Seed, Bulb & Plant Sources
You Asked about a White Powder on Peonies
Plant of the Month: Indoor Ferns
Klein’s Favorite Lentil Recipes
Product Spotlight: Bulbs from Netherland Bulb Company
Notes from Rick’s Garden Journal—From August 2022
—Autumn as the Beginning of Our Next Gardening Season
—Yellowjackets…Their Bite Is Worse Than Their Buzz
—Starting a Hummingbird Garden
September in the Garden: A Planner
Gardening Events Around Town
Join Us on Twitter
Follow Us on Facebook
OUR CURRENT SPECIALS:
$50 Fill-A-Cart Sale – all the 5″ Summer annuals, you can fit on our green shopping cart (fall annuals, tropicals, houseplants, perennials, herbs, shrubs, and citrus excluded from sale). No additional discounts or coupons. Ask an Associate for details.
-50% off Perennials, Shrubs and Tropicals,
-5″ Spring and Summer Annuals are “Buy 1, Get 1 FREE” (Fall excluded)
-25% off Citrus and Caladiums
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 Jenny’s 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!!
FOR NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS OR GARDEN TOURSthat you would like posted on our web site or in our monthly newsletters, 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 area.
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 houseplanthelp@kleinsfloral.com 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.
SEPTEMBER STORE HOURS:
Monday thru Friday : 9:00-6:00
Saturday: 9:00-5:00
Sunday: 10:00-4:00
Open Monday, September 5: 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 5–Labor Day. Special Store Hours: 10:00-4:00
September 10–Full Moon
September 11–Grandparents’ Day
September 22–Fall Begins
September 25—Rosh Hashana 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 Flower Sources:
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 noticed that both of my peony plant leaves have a white coating on them. I’m guessing it is some type of a fungus. Do you have something there at the store that I can use to treat this? Thanks, Maria
Hi Maria,
Your peonies have powdery mildew. It usually causes no long term harm to the peony plants (unless your peonies are already struggling and unhealthy) and is considered cosmetic. Some years are worse than others. Though any fungicide will kill it, the damage has already been done for this season. In the fall, the best control is to make sure all of the foliage is removed from your garden when you cut back the plants in late October.
Thanks for your question,
DID YOU KNOW. . .
. . . that the famous Knock Out® family of roses was developed right here in Wisconsin?
Rose Innovations
Education. Philanthropy. Research. Development.
Home of the Knock Out® Rose
Greenfield, WI (414) 425-5551, info@roseinnovations.org.
Our Mission Is To produce the best roses and other ornamental plants possible that are reliable and competitively superior to excite people of all ages.
Our Values:
As the Rose Innovations team, we are dedicated to bring value, quality and excellence to our product by always improving and innovating. Challenges are always met with integrity and persistence, while maintaining an environment of harmony. We enjoy sharing our passion and the joy and beauty of our roses with the world.
Our Vision:
- Replace all classes of roses with lower maintenance plants
- To produce roses of all colors, sizes and foliage, with compelling fragrances and various bloom shape.
- Be at the forefront of finding solutions for new problems.
- Maintain a display garden of ornamental plants – with added benefit of stumbling upon and working toward new finds.
- To develop products for all people and all places.
- To feel a sense of accomplishment by continuing to bring joy and inspiration through the creation of a beautiful product that our customers had previously thought was impossible.
Visit the Home of the World-Famous Knock Out® Family of Roses and Experience Will Radler’s Botanical Garden and Rosarium.
A visit to Radler’s Rosarium is an opportunity to experience one of Greenfield’s local treasures. The sloping garden uses stone to create terraces, raised beds, waterfalls, and a very large fireplace and seating area. Ponds, sculpture and an extensive stream meanders through the yard providing home to Radler’s tame goldfish. There is even a three-story Garden shed with observation deck. And, there is a Knock Out Rose trial garden. The Knock Out Rose is widely considered to be one of the most popular and successful roses in the world. Will and his staff will be available to help visitors understand the vast gardens.
To view the garden’s Open Garden calendar: Open Garden Calendar 2022
William Radler: Chief Tinkerer
William (Will) Radler is internationally recognized as the father of The Knock Out® Rose. This 2000 AARS Award-winning rose, his first rose introduction, has revolutionized the rose industry for its low-maintenance qualities.
Radler graduated in 1968 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture. After graduation he spent 26 years with the Milwaukee County Park System.
An early retirement from a 13-year career as Director of Boerner Botanical Gardens in Hales Corners, Wisconsin, has allowed Will to pursue his passion for rose and plant breeding full-time.
Although his main horticultural interest is the rose, his first plant introduction in 1999 was the garden mum Rosetta; then Verbena Sweet Thing™ in 2010, and Tradescantia Amethyst Mist™ in 2013.
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.
Spring Bulbs from Netherland Bulb Company
It’s almost time to plant your spring bulbs and Netherland Bulb Company is one of the world’s leading wholesalers of flower bulbs, perennials and horticulture products for the home gardener and the professional grower.
About Netherland Bulb Company
Netherland Bulb Company is a wholesale supplier of premium Dutch bulbs and bare root perennials grown and shipped directly from our farms and packing facilities in Holland. Our customer service center and distribution facilities in the metropolitan Easton Pennsylvania area enable us to provide superior service and quality. We offer a wide range of flower bulb and bare root perennial varieties in packaging that meets your business and customers needs.
Netherland Bulb Company has been a family owned and operated business on both sides of the ocean for more than 35 years. Family ownership means you receive the benefit of a business that takes the utmost pride in delivering a quality product year in and year out. We continue to seek out new and innovative products from top notch growers and suppliers from Holland and beyond.
Better Prices on Higher Quality Bulbs
When you buy from Netherland Bulb Company, you are buying directly from the Dutch grower and shipper. This means that we can offer you better prices on higher quality bulbs. We are on the farm all year long, inspecting the crop and shipping only those bulbs that meet our stringent requirements. All of our bulbs are hand inspected and only the very finest, premium bulbs are sold to you. Our expert Dutch bulb checkers have been working with bulbs all of their lives!
There is just no substitute for quality. You can only purchase bulbs once a year. You wait months to see the results. Therefore, our motto is
“We are only as good as our last delivery.”
Source: www.netherlandbulb.com
NOTES FROM MY GARDEN JOURNAL–Tips and Observations from My Own Garden by Rick Halbach
ENTRY: AUGUST 13, 2022 (Autumn as the Beginning of Our Next Gardening Season)
The first of the fall mums are making their appearance this week at work. As some of my containers begin looking a bit worn, I’ll soon begin to swap out the my dead and dying plants with fresh fall product in the days ahead.
Gardening need not end with the onset of autumn. In some respects, it’s just beginning! After all, fall is when we begin to plant next spring’s garden as the tulip, daffodil and crocus bulbs make their appearance on store shelves. And fall is the season when many of our favorite annuals and perennials put on their finest show. Geraniums, salvias, asters, mums and grasses all glow in the garden as the days shorten and the weather cools.
What easier way to extend the season’s beauty than to enjoy a mixed fall container from Klein’s.
Fall containers can extend your garden’s color long after hard frosts have killed off your in-ground annuals and perennials. In fact, a fall container can look beautiful until Thanksgiving or even beyond.
Unlike flowers planted in your beds, containers can be moved indoors during cold snaps, only to reappear days later on our lovely Wisconsin autumn days. Some annuals, like flowering kales and cabbages and pansies, are at their peak as the weather cools. It’s not unheard of for these diehards to look good even through Christmas!
Choose from one of Klein’s own pre-made containers, filled with mums, grasses, kales, pansies, snapdragons, heucheras, etc. Or, if you prefer, have Jenny and our top notch crew plant you the perfect autumn container to suit your taste or decor. Choose from Klein’s lovely and large selection of containers or bring in your own. What better way to greet trick-or-treaters or Thanksgiving Day guests!
For info on fall containers, contact Jenny @ 608-244-5661 or @ customplanters@kleinsfloral.com
* * * * *
ENTRY: AUGUST 18, 2022 (Yellowjackets…Their Bite Is Worse Than Their Buzz)
Yesterday evening, while celebrating a friend’s birthday and waiting for a table at Ishnala near the Dells, yellowjackets began swarming us as we sipped our delicious old-fashioneds on the beach at Mirror Lake. They were lured in by the sweet soda and fruit in our cocktails. Yellowjackets usually make their annual appearance here in southern Wisconsin in late summer and these were right on time. Unprovoked, a yellowjacket stung another friend between her fingers on her right hand. Needless to say, we moved to a bit safer spot to enjoy the rest of our wait.
About Yellowjackets
(Source: www.rescue.com/bug/yellowjackets)
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.
* * * * *
ENTRY: AUGUST 24, 2022 (Starting a Hummingbird Garden)
As the summer winds down hummingbird activity, however, ramps up as these summer visitors prepare for their trip south in the weeks ahead.
Start a Hummingbird Garden
Learn how to draw the world’s tiniest birds to your garden with these colorful flowers.
Written by Amy McDowell for Midwest Living @ www.midwestliving.com/garden/flowers/hummingbird-garden/?page=0
Tiny Joys
Gardeners Kathi and Michael Rock of Madison, are enchanted with hummingbirds. “Hummingbirds truly embody the magic, joy and freedom that we as humans would love to have,” Kathi says.
Kathi knows hummingbirds’ amazing statistics: They can fly faster than any other birds and have the largest proportionate brain size. And, of course, they can hover and snatch insects in midair.
Kathi and Michael first fell in love with hummingbirds a decade ago after adding a hummingbird feeder to their backyard. Now they have two dozen feeders and more than a hundred kinds of annuals and perennials to cater to the tastes and habits of their flying friends.
“We try to have plants that bloom at every point during the season,” Kathi says. The feeders fill in when flowers aren’t growing in early spring and after fall frosts.
The Rocks pass along their 10 years of expertise by hosting a hummingbird gardening website (sites.google.com/view/hummingbirdgardening/home) and by giving community presentations. They’ve learned a lot over the years about hummingbird habits in the Midwest.
Although there are 300 kinds of hummingbirds, the ruby-throated (left) is the only one common throughout the Midwest. The tiny birds arrive here in May and June, then leave gardens to build nests in isolated forest areas. As soon as mating is over, in early July, the males begin to migrate because they play no role in raising the young. Females head south after their offspring learn to fly.
“We see an increase in the number of hummingbirds beginning in early August,” Kathi says. “Our peak time in Madison is traditionally mid-September. By then, most of the adult males are gone, and we’re seeing female and immature birds almost exclusively.”
Hummingbirds will dine from flowers of any color, but red attracts them best. “They can see red up to a mile away,” Kathi says.
Flowers with tubular blossoms evolved with hummingbirds, so the Rocks keep a good supply. Hummingbirds also eat spiders and insects, including mosquitoes and gnats.
Kathi recommends six plants to get your hummingbird garden started: perennials honeysuckle, bee balm and cardinal flower, as well as annuals Mexican cigar plant, blue anise sage and Texas sage.
Bee balm (Monarda didyma) has blooms that look like starbursts and fragrant foliage. It reaches 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Grow in full sun or light shade. Zone 4.
The red or red-orange variety of Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) blooms with trumpet-shape flowers on a vine that reaches 10-15 feet long. Grow in full sun. Zone 4.
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) attracts hummers with fire truck red blossoms on 2- to 3-foot-tall stalks from late summer through fall. Grow in full sun or part shade. Zone 2.
Mexican cigar plant (Cuphea ‘David Verity’) grows 2 feet tall with orange tubular flowers and tips that resemble lit cigars. It flowers from early summer until frost, grows well in containers and thrives in full sun. Annual.
Blue anise sage (Salvia guaranitica ‘Black ‘n Blue”, i.e.) blooms with purple flowers from summer through fall. It reaches 2-4 feet tall. Grow in full sun to part shade. Annual.
Texas sage (Salvia coccinea) flowers prolifically with red flowers summer through fall. It reaches 2 feet tall and grows easily from seed. Grow in full sun.
Make Your Own Nectar
When your flowers aren’t blooming, feeders will help attract hummingbirds. Mix one part sugar with four parts tap water. Sugar dissolves quickly in warm water, so there’s no need to boil it. When nectar looks cloudy or moldy, wash the feeder and refill with a fresh batch.
While a traditional feeder is hung off a house or on a stand near your home, many different varieties are available, including ones that you can place in the ground (left) at any attractive spot in your garden.
In addition to the above, other annuals that attract hummingbirds include; fuchsias (especially ‘Gartenmeister’), lantana, nicotiana, pentas and hyssop.
The Rocks are hosting a Community Hummingbird Tour at their home (5118 Buffalo Tr., Madison 53705) on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 3-7:00 and on Sunday, Sept. 16, 1-5:30. There will be a program about hummingbirds and you can witness hummingbird banding.
All suggested plants are available at Klein’s in the springtime.
KLEIN’S RECIPES OF THE MONTH—These are a selection of relatively simple recipes chosen by our staff. New recipes appear monthly. Enjoy!!
Though lentils are a common ingredient in many soup, stew and vegetarian recipes, most people know very little about this bean and pea relative. In most supermarkets bags of lentils are found alongside dried beans. But unlike dried beans, lentils don’t need to be soaked before cooking.
Like beans and peas, lentils are a legume. This annual viny plant has compound leaves with white, pink or pale blue flowers. The small seed pods are broad and flat and contain one or two flat seeds that are green, yellow, orange, red or brown. Some cultures prefer a certain color lentil over others, though differences in taste and texture are minimal. Lentils can be grown in the home garden, but small harvests in the amount of space required to grow them makes their culture restrictive to most gardeners.
Lentils originate from Turkey and areas east and south to Afghanistan and the Arabian Peninsula. Lentils are one of the oldest food crops in cultivation; starting around 7000 B.C. Modern lentils have changed little from ancient times and remain one of the most popular of the legumes worldwide. India is the main producer of lentils; followed by Pakistan, Turkey and more recently Argentina, Chile and the U.S. Seeds are difficult to harvest by mechanical means so are often handpicked. In vegetarian diets, lentils are often used as a meat substitute because of their high protein content.
Lentil soups and stews are hearty and delicious and pair well with warm, earthy breads. Here are a few of our favorites.
LENTIL BEEF VEGETABLE SOUP–We saw this recipe while watching Channel 3 (WISC-TV) a number of years ago and knew it would be an instant hit.
2 TBS. canola oil, divided
2 large onions, diced
2 red peppers, thinly sliced
2 tsp. minced garlic
16 oz. sliced mushrooms
salt and pepper to taste
1 lb. ground beef
2 x 15 oz. cans petite diced tomatoes
2 x 49 oz. cans chicken broth
1 cup lentils
1 cup bulgar
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. paprika
Heat 1 TBS. oil in a large soup pot. Sauté the onion, remove from the pot and set aside. Add the peppers and the garlic to the pot. Sauté until tender, remove and set aside. Add the rest of the oil and sauté the mushrooms. When nearly cooked, sprinkle the mushrooms with some salt and pepper. Continue cooking until tender, remove from the pot and set aside. Add the beef to the pot and brown. Season with salt and pepper. Add all of the veggies back to the pot. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer gently for 30 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Reseason and add more broth or water until of desired consistency. Makes 12 servings.
LENTIL ASPARAGUS SOUP–From the pages of Country Living magazine.
2 TBS. olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
2 stalks of celery, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 cups red lentils
2/3 cup dry red wine
8 cups water
1 TBS. chili powder
2 bay leaves
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. allspice
1/2 lb. asparagus cut diagonally into slices
2 large Italian tomatoes, chopped
Heat the oil in a soup pot. Add the onion, celery and carrots and sauté until tender. Add the lentils and the wine. Heat to a boil. Cook on high until the liquid is nearly evaporated. Stir in the water, chili powder, bay leaves, salt, pepper, allspice, asparagus and tomatoes. Heat to a boil, reduce to low and simmer 20-30 minutes. Discard the bay leaves. Serves 8.
LENTIL SOUP–This recipe appeared a long time ago in a St. Albert the Great parish cookbook. This is one of the best basic lentil soup recipes around.
2 cups lentils
8 cups chicken broth
2 slices bacon, diced
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped carrots
3 TBS. fresh parsley
1 clove minced garlic
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. oregano
1 x 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
2 TBS. red wine vinegar
Combine all but the tomatoes and the vinegar in a soup pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer 1 1/2 hours. Add the tomatoes and the vinegar, cover and continue simmering 30 minutes. Serves 8-10.
GINGER LENTIL STEW–A flavorful and simple recipe from an old vegetarian cookbook called The Occasional Vegetarian.
2 cups chopped leeks
1 diced carrot
4 stalks diced celery
2 TBS. olive oil
2 TBS. minced ginger
2 TBS. minced garlic
6 cups vegetable broth
2 cups lentils
2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
4 TBS. soy sauce
cooked rice
In a soup pot, sauté the leeks, carrot and celery in hot oil over medium heat until they begin to wilt–about 8-10 minutes. Add the ginger and garlic and sauté 2 minutes more. Stir in the broth, lentils, cumin and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes. Add the salt and the soy sauce. Cover and cook 20-25 minutes more. Serve over cooked rice. Serves 8.
LENTIL STEW WITH CURRY–From the Wisconsin State Journal, April 2001.
1 1/2 TBS. vegetable oil
3 cups finely chopped carrot
2 cups chopped onion
4 cloves minced garlic
2 tsp. ground ginger
4 x 14.5 oz. cans chicken broth
3 cups lentils
2 TBS. curry powder
1 tsp. pepper
2 cups frozen peas
2 cups sliced mushrooms
1/4 cup lemon juice
Heat the oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add the carrots, onion, garlic and ginger. Cover and cook 10-12 minutes until the veggies are softened, but not brown. Add the lentils, broth, curry and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer about 35-40 minutes. Add the peas and mushrooms and cook about 15 minutes more. Stir in the lemon juice. Makes 8 servings.
WONDERFUL BARLEY & LENTIL SALAD—This delicious recipe appeared in Cooking Light magazine.
1 cup green or brown lentils
1x 14 oz. can chicken broth
1 cup pearled barley
2 3/4 cups water
3/4 cup diced red onion
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup e.v. olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt
2 clives minced garlic
Combine the lentils and broth in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the barley and the water and simmer 18 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally. Once cooked, transfer to a large bowl. Add the onion, parsley, juice, oil, salt and garlic and stir well. Cool to room temperature, then cover and chill. Serves 6.
NATURAL NEWS–
Monarch Numbers on the Rise in Mexico
by Rebecca Blackwell for the AP(June 2022)
Mexican experts have reported that 35% more monarch butterflies arrived this past year to spend the winter in mountaintop forests, compared to the previous season.
Experts say the increase may reflect the butterflies’ ability to adapt to more extreme bouts of heat or drought by varying the date when they leave Mexico.
The government commission for natural protected areas said the butterflies’ population covered 7 acres this year, compared to 5.2 acres last year.
The annual butterfly count doesn’t calculate the individual number of butterflies, but rather the number of acres they cover when they clump together on tree boughs.
Each year the monarchs return to the United States and Canada on an annual migration that is threatened by loss of the milkweed they feed on north of the border, and deforestation in the butterfly reserves in Mexico. Gloria Tavera, the regional director of Mexico’s Commission for National Protected Areas, said logging in the butterflies’ wintering ground rose by about 4.5% this year, to 34 acres.
However, fewer trees were lost to fire, drought or plant diseases and pests. So overall tree loss in the 2021-22 season was about 46 acres, down from 20.6 51 acres in the 2020-21 season.
But environmentalist and writer Homero Aridjis, who grew up around the reserve, said “there is no reliable data for the full extent of wood extraction from the reserve,” noting that loggers often take undamaged trees, claiming they were diseased or were affected by storms.
The butterflies traditionally arrive in the mountaintop pine and fir forests west of Mexico City around the beginning of November. They normally leave for the U.S. and Canada in March.
But Tavera said that last year was unusual, because the monarchs began leaving in February; that allowed them to get out before drought and heat hit just north of border in April and May.
“They are beginning to adapt to extreme climate conditions,” Tavera said.
Strangely, this year, the butterflies stuck around in Mexico longer than usual. “They left very late. We still had butterflies in April,” Tavera said. It remains to be seen in next year’s figures whether that strategy worked for them.
While activists and students in the United States and Canada have been urged to plant milkweed, to make up for the losses of the plant due to the clearance of farm and pasture land and the use of herbicides, that strategy has backfired in Mexico.
Tavera urged Mexicans not to plant milkweed in Mexico, saying it might disrupt the migration by encouraging monarchs to stick around, rather than leave for the north. She also urged people not to breed monarchs in captivity — they are sometimes released at weddings or other celebrations — saying that could spread diseases among the insects.
Jorge Rickards of the WWF environmental group said that, despite the increase this year, “this continues to be a migration phenomenon at risk.”
**Please note: Though this article appeared in the press in June of this year, the monarch butterfly was officially placed on the endangered species list in July as numbers have reached critical numbers.
SEPTEMBER’S PLANT OF THE MONTH:
Indoor Ferns: How to Grow & Best Choices
From Growing Tropical Indoor Ferns by Debora Brown, Extension Horticulturist at the University of Minnesota
Most ferns thrive in filtered light or shady sites outdoors, but the tropical ferns we use as houseplants are poor candidates for low-light locations. Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum), heart-leaf philodendron (Philodendron scandens oxycardium), snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata), and Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum) are much better candidates for locations near north windows or other poorly lit places in your home.
Tropical ferns actually grow best indoors in “medium” light such as what you’d find in an east-facing window or a few feet from a west or south-facing window.
During our short days from November through February, ferns can be placed directly in a west or south window with no ill effects. But as days lengthen and sunlight becomes more intense, you run the risk of burning delicate foliage in such bright places, unless the light in those windows is filtered by large trees nearby, or by sheer shades or curtains, inside.
Without adequate light, no fern will prosper indoors, but there’s more to growing ferns than providing enough light.
Moisture
You’ll find that new ferns come with care tags suggesting they need to be kept evenly moist. That means the soil should never be allowed to get very dry; it doesn’t mean it should always stay wet.
It’s important to water ferns thoroughly whenever you water. Don’t just dribble a little water on top of the soil from time to time. Use room temperature or lukewarm water; cold water can damage tropical roots. If at all possible, avoid using softened water. Its repeated use will result in an accumulation of salts in the soil, which eventually injures the plant’s roots.
Water until excess moisture begins to drip through the container’s drain holes, then spill out whatever remains in the tray or saucer after a few minutes. Wait to water again until the soil surface begins to feel dry to the touch. It’s a mistake to water before that; soggy soil encourages root rots.
Soil
Ferns are usually potted in highly organic soil that’s porous, yet moisture-retentive. When it’s time to transplant them into larger containers, choose potting soil that contains a large percentage of peat moss.
Air circulation
Place ferns far enough from walls and other plants to insure good air circulation. Ferns look particularly handsome displayed on pedestals or in wicker ferneries. They’re also commonly grown in hanging baskets, but you must be careful not to display them too near the ceiling. The higher they are, the hotter and drier the air, especially during the heating season. This may cause the tips of your fern’s fronds to turn brown and die.
Humidity
Ferns are known for their high humidity needs. Some people still mist their ferns to increase humidity, but it’s not very effective. Unfortunately, misting also increases the likelihood of foliar leaf spot diseases; it’s better to rely on room humidifiers.
Because it’s difficult to improve humidity significantly indoors, it’s usually better to concentrate on proper watering to eliminate moisture stress.
Nutrients
Typically ferns have modest fertilizer needs; they can be damaged more easily than most houseplants if you overdo it. Over-fertilizing will result in browning and drying that begins at the tips, then works its way back into the rest of the fronds. A lack of nutrients results in foliage that pales and loses its vibrant green color.
Fish emulsion seems to work well, though other fertilizers meant specially for houseplants are fine, too, provided they’re mixed ½-strength and applied sparingly. Fertilize only when the plants are actively putting on new growth, or if the foliage appears a paler green than normal.
Keep them clean
It’s important to keep fern foliage clean. Dusty leaves may provide a haven for mites or insects. The dust also filters sunlight so less reaches the foliage. You can wash ferns with a gentle spray of lukewarm water from the sink, or swish them upside-down in a sink or laundry tub of lukewarm water to which you’ve added a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid.
Easy-to-grow favorites:
—Boston fern, Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’ is an old-fashioned fern with long, arching fronds. A dozen or more named “sports” or mutations of the original Boston fern have all but taken its place by now. Many boast foliage that’s more ruffly or finely divided than the original. Dallas ferns are particularly notable for their compact stature and their ability to survive at lower light levels than Boston ferns and most of their descendants. Kimberly Queen ferns are another excellent choice with less leaf drop during the winter months.
—Rabbit’s foot fern, sometimes called Squirrel’s foot fern, Davallia fejeensis, is known for its tan “furry” rhizomes that grow down over the pot like little legs. Short, lacy green fronds sprout from these rhizomes, creating wonderful contrasts in color and texture. Because of its growth habit, this fern must be suspending in some type of hanging apparatus.
—Mother fern, Asplenium bulbiferum, is aptly named for the little plantlets that form on its large, feathery fronds. To propagate Mother ferns, all you need do is pluck off the little “babies,” plant them in moist, peaty potting soil, then enclose the container in a plastic bag. Keep them in bright, indirect light until they root. (Direct sunlight would overheat them while they’re still bagged.)
—It might be sometimes difficult to find a Holly fern, Cyrtomium falcatum, but it’s well worth the added effort. Unlike more delicate-appearing ferns, the stiff fronds on this plant are rather coarse and leathery, with an attractive, deep glossy green surface. And unlike most indoor ferns, this plant does best when temperatures are on the cool side and you allow the soil to dry between waterings.
—Asparagus ferns such as the Sprenger fern (sometimes sold in spring as “sprengeri”), Myers fern, and Plumosa fern are not really ferns at all. Named for their fern-like, feathery foliage, they’re actually close relatives of the asparagus we eat, and as such, grow best in full sunlight. Commonly kept outdoors in summer, they often suffer from inadequate light in winter, elongating and dropping many of their tiny leaf-like structures.
—Staghorn Fern (Platycerium)–leaves are wide, flat, down-covered, and resemble an elk’s antlers; slow-growing but can reach three to four feet in height; should be grown in sphagnum moss with the shield (the brown part from which the green “antlers” emerge) wired to a piece of wood or cork bark; fern is really marginal in many interiors as it needs lots of humidity; water by taking entire wood slab or cork bark and moss off the wall or wherever it is hanging, then immerse with plant shield into a pan or tub of water. A bath tub without soap suds works best. Water should be lukewarm, not hot. Allow to drain before rehanging.
—Birdsnest Fern (Asplenium)–one of the easiest ferns to grow; may reach 18 to 24 inches tall although in humid room like greenhouse might get to be six feet high and across; has broad, light green, leathery, undivided fronds that grow upwards, giving the plant the look of a bird’s nest.
—Australian Tree Fern (Cyathea cooperi ‘Brentwood’)–Need something lush to fill that empty spot? Here’s your answer. This fern’s formidable stature and upward-arching fronds say, “Look at me.” It’s a great choice for sunrooms and foyers.
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
August 31 thru October 29
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
Olbrich Gardens’ GLEAM exhibit will return this fall, presenting an immersive experience of light, sound, and interactive engagements. Gaze at the Gardens in wonderment as you explore this magical realm of illumination.
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!
Advanced timed-tickets are required– Sales August 1.
General Public – $15
Olbrich Members – $11
Child (ages 6-12) – $7
Free - 5 & Under
Additional online processing fees apply to each reservation.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Sunday, September 4, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Walk
Learn about the land, plants, animals, fungi, phenology, and ecology. Geared for adults, these longer walks may cover some sloping terrain. 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
Dragonfly Monitoring Walk @ the Arboretum
Wednesday, September 7, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Family Walk
Join the Arboretum and the Wisconsin Dragonfly Society for guided walks to monitor dragonflies, including identifying species and collecting data for the Arboretum’s dragonfly monitoring project. No experience required, but an online training video is available by request (email jwhidden@wisc.edu). Family friendly, recommended for ages 8 and up. Walks take place the first Wednesday and third Saturday monthly through September. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Full Moon Night Walk @ the Arboretum
Saturday, September 10, 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Walk
Let your eyes adjust to the moonlight, listen to the night sounds, and experience the darkness on this naturalist-led Arboretum 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
Waning Summer Nature Program @ the Arboretum
Sunday, September 11, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
This program is a fun, fascinating way for families with children elementary age and younger to explore the natural world. Nature walk: 1–2 p.m., nature activities: 2–3 p.m. Adults must attend. 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 in the Grady Tract @ the Arboretum
Sunday, September 11, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Walk
Learn about the land, plants, animals, fungi, phenology, and ecology. Geared for adults, these longer walks may cover some sloping terrain. 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 Grady Tract parking lot, southeast corner of Seminole Hwy. and W. Beltline Frontage Rd.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Tenney-Lapham Chicken Coop/Garden Tour
Sunday, September 11, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Walk
This near east side neighborhood will be having a free self-guided walking tour of the neighborhood’s chicken coops and gardens. You can download a map at http://tinyurl.com/tlnatour or pick up a printed map the day of the tour at 461 N. Few or 917 E.Dayton. Lemonade and cookies will be provided at the Welcome Garden Neighborhood Sign at N. Baldwin/E. Gorham/E. Johnson from 2-3.
Community Hummingbird Garden Tours
Wednesday, September 14, 3:00-7:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 18, 1:00-5:00 p.m.
5118 Buffalo Trail, Madison, 53705 (near Hilldale & Oscar Rennebohm Park)
Please note that face coverings are optional. The entire event is held outside.
One of Wisconsin’s Hummingbird Banders, Mickey O’Connor, will be banding hummingbirds on Sunday, Sept. 18. Additionally, Larry Scheunemann will present an informative and fun class about hummingbirds on Wednesday and Sunday at 3 p.m. 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/hummingbirdgardening/home for more information.
Weed Identification and Management from Rotary Gardens
Thursday, September 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Weeds are the bane of every gardener! This free program will help you identify the weeds you have using your observation skills.
Along with presenter Ann Pedder Reilly, we will look at weeds and describe them using words you already know. Weed management will also be discussed with an emphasis on environmental safety.
We will walk through the gardens to find weeds and try to identify them. This program will provide resources for identifying weeds on your own.
Note: Between 40 minutes and 1 hour of this program will be spent walking the Gardens. Please dress or bring clothes and footwear suitable for some time outdoors.
Registration cost: None
Registration deadline: Sept. 13 @ https://rotarybotanicalgardens.org/wp-content/uploads/Weed-Identification-and-Management-registration-form.pdf
or @ the Gift Gallery or by phone @ (608) 752-3885
Rotary Botanical Gardens
1455 Palmer Drive
Janesville, WI 53545
608/752-3885 or www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org/ for details.
Dragonfly Monitoring Walk @ the Arboretum
Saturday, September 17, 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Family Walk
Join the Arboretum and the Wisconsin Dragonfly Society for guided walks to monitor dragonflies, including identifying species and collecting data for the Arboretum’s dragonfly monitoring project. No experience required, but an online training video is available by request (email jwhidden@wisc.edu). Family friendly, recommended for ages 8 and up. Walks take place the first Wednesday and third Saturday monthly through September. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Fall in the Native Plant Garden Tour @ the Arboretum
Saturday, September 17, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Color, fruits, seeds, late blooming plants, late-season insects—we will find these and more in the diverse native plant gardens around the Visitor Center. Susan Carpenter, garden curator, will lead this tour. Tours 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
Native by Design: Gardening for a Sustainable Future
A Native Gardening Conference @ the Arboretum
Sunday, September 18, 8:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
The Arboretum’s annual native gardening conference teaches and promotes the use of native plants in home landscapes for biodiversity, habitat, beauty, and sustainability. Expert-led workshops inspire and inform gardeners and landowners to create and maintain native gardens or small-scale restorations. Keynote: “Gardening with Native Plants of the Midwest,” Alan Branhagen, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Fee: $70. Students: $30 with ID. Register by September 8.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Sunday, September 18, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Walk
Learn about the land, plants, animals, fungi, phenology, and ecology. Geared for adults, these longer walks may cover some sloping terrain. 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
Garden Stroll @ the Arboretum
Sunday, September 25, 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
Rotary Garden’s What’s In Bloom? Tour
Wednesday, September 28, from 5:00-6:00 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. To register, please call 608-752-3885 or sign up in person on the day of the tour.
Rotary Botanical Gardens
1455 Palmer Drive
Janesville, WI,
608/752-3885 or www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org/
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Sunday, October 2, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Walk
Learn about the land, plants, animals, fungi, phenology, and ecology. Geared for adults, these longer walks may cover some sloping terrain. 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
Dane County Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, April 16 thru November 12, 6:15-1:45
On the Capitol Square
Wednesdays, April 20 thru November 2, 8:30-1:45
In the 200 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
For details visit www.dcfm.org
Northside Farmers Market
Sundays, May 8 through October 23, 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.
**Although the average first frost date for Madison is about Oct. 6, killing frosts have occurred as early as September 12 (1955). Be aware of quick weather changes this time of year. Be prepared to cover tender plants at any time.
___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.comor 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.comor 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.
—We continue stocking fall mums as they go into bloom. We’ll continue to have a good selection into November.
—Ordering plants for spring 2023 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 Twitterwhere 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/recycling/plastic.cfm
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