‘THE SAGE’-Klein’s Online Newsletter—OCTOBER 2022
Klein’s Floral & Greenhouses
3758 E. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
608/244-5661 or info@kleinsfloral.com
THIS MONTH’S HIGHLIGHTS:
The Spring Bulbs Have Arrived
It’s Time to Plant Garlic
Our ‘Mad Gardener‘ and ‘Houseplant Help‘ Are Ready for Your Questions
Boss’s Day is October 17
Meet Klein’s Floral Design Team
Garden Calendar for the Week of October 9…
Klein’s Favorite Seed, Bulb & Plant Sources
You Asked about Fertilizing Perennials in Fall
Plant of the Month: Colchicum (Autumn Crocus)
Klein’s Favorite Pumpkin Recipes
Product Spotlight: New Cacti and Succulents Direct from Florida
Notes from Rick’s Garden Journal—From September 2022
—The Reality of “Hardy” Mums
—Potted Bulbs and the Move Indoors
—October Eve
October in the Garden: A Planner
Gardening Events Around Town
Join Us on Twitter
Follow Us on Facebook
AUTUMN AT KLEIN’S
A single visit to Klein’s in autumn is sure to inspire creativity when decorating your home both inside and out. We have it all and under one roof . . . from our homegrown mums, pansies, kales and pre-planted mixed fall containers to fresh floral arrangements for Halloween and Thanksgiving celebrating, to an amazing assortment of fresh pumpkins, gourds, dried grasses, hay bales, corn shucks and more.
THE SPRING BULBS HAVE ARRIVED!
We have all of your favorites–tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, alliums–and a few not-so-well known treasures for your garden. Mid- to late October is the best time to plant your spring bulbs (planting too can early promote premature leaf growth) and nothing could be more uplifting after a long winter than crocus, snowdrops and winter aconite blossoms peeking through the snow come spring. Allow the Klein’s staff to share planting tips and ideas to keep those pesky squirrels from digging up those newly planted bulbs. And for indoor blooms, don’t forget a few hyacinths, paperwhites and amaryllis (arriving mid-month) for indoor forcing. We carry a lovely assortment of forcing glasses, vases and decorative pottery. Forced bulbs make for an inexpensive and treasured holiday gift. Any bulb questions? Don’t forget our Mad Gardener @ madgardener@kleinsfloral.com!
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.
OCTOBER STORE HOURS:
Monday thru Friday : 9:00-6:00
Saturday: 9:00-5:00
Sunday: 10:00-4:00
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
Throughout October…Check out our selection of spring bulbs. Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, alliums and much more have arrived for fall planting. For Halloween and Thanksgiving decorating we carry pumpkins, gourds, fall leaves, branches, grasses, dried flowers, cattails, hay bales, etc. for fall decor. Shop early for best selection.
October 4—Yom Kippur Begins
October 9—Full Moon
October 10—Indigenous Peoples’ Day (Columbus Day)
October 15 and 16—Art Works Art Show @ Klein’s. Find unique one-of-a-kind items for gifts or for yourself. Ceramics, Paintings, Fiber, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Photography, Sculpture, Wood and more! For more info visit https://artworkswisconsin.com
October 15—Sweetest Day
October 17—National Bosses’ Day
October 22—Greenhouse Yoga @ Klein’s—Join us Saturday, October 22, 2022, 8:00 a.m. in Klein’s greenhouses for a Gentle Morning Yoga class. Start your morning off in the most peaceful way… Surrounded by warm, oxygen rich air, and beautiful greenery all around.
October 23—Mother-in-Law’s Day
October 31—Halloween
November 2—Día de los Muertos
‘THE FLOWER SHOPPE’:
Klein’s team of talented designers is available to serve you every day of the week but Sunday. Darcy, Andrea, Pam, Bonnie and Sue are here to answer all of your floral and design questions from 9:00 to 2:00 daily. We not only carry a huge assortment of fresh cut flowers, but also blooming and green plants, balloons and oodles of gift ideas. If you’re not sure what you want, we’d be happy to make suggestions.
Need something quickly? Our huge retail cooler is always stocked with vased roses, stunning fresh arrangements in many styles and price ranges and buckets of loose cut flowers from which to pick and choose. We also have much more in stock, so if there’s something you don’t see—just ask.
Need to send something out of town? Why we can do that, too.
For ideas and easy on-line ordering, check out our website by clicking on www.kleinsfloralandgreenhouses.com or talk to one of our designers directly at 608/244-5661. For delivery information see Delivery Info. We offer same day delivery for orders place before 12:30 p.m.
Have you had a great Klein’s experience that you’d like others to know about? If so, we ask you to share your review of us on any of the well-known review websites, i.e. Yelp or Facebook, etc.
And just a reminder that Sweetest Day is Saturday, October 15 and Bosses’ Day is Monday, October 17.
YOU ASKED. . .
I would like to know what if anything I should be applying to my perennial flower beds this fall. Thank you, Kathy
Hi Kathy,
Once your plants are cut back, raw manure is the most effective, but raw manure isn’t easily attainable for most people unless you know a farmer. Next best is a layer of composted manure or compost. That said, established beds really don’t need anything applied to them, especially if your focus is native Wisconsin plants. They can take care of themselves. For quick results, a water soluble solution applied during active growth in the springtime is best.
Thanks for your question,
DID YOU KNOW. . .
. . . Mid- to late October is the best time to plant garlic?
How to Plant, Grow, and Save Garlic Bulbs
This culinary staple is rarely propagated from seeds. Instead a few aromatic bulbs of garlic are saved from the harvest and replanted year after year.
Growing
Garlic plants must be vernalized in order for their bulbs to develop. Plant garlic in the fall, usually between September 25 and November 30 here in southern Wisconsin, after the first light frost of the year. Mid-October is the appropriate time in the Madison area. Keep bulbs intact until right before planting. Break bulbs into individual cloves and plant the largest, healthiest looking cloves with the basal plate – the point where the cloves attached to the bulb – down and the pointed shoot-end up, 6-8″ apart. Cover with 2″ of soil and a 6″ layer of mulch. Do not remove mulch in the spring; it helps control weeds, preserve moisture and provides nutrients as it decomposes.
Cloves may begin to sprout through the mulch in 4-8 weeks, depending on the variety and the weather conditions in your region. Do not be concerned. The plants may suffer some frost or a light freeze and still survive the weather.
When garlic shoots begin to emerge in early spring, ensure even soil moisture by supplying 1″ of water per week throughout the growing season. Garlic does not compete well with weeds so keep weeds under control early to ensure a bountiful harvest. Scapes are the curly flower stems that often form as the garlic matures. Cut or break them off after they are 10 inches long and reserve them for eating.
Garlic can suffer damage from nematodes, botrytis rot, and white rot. However, the biggest threat to garlic is weeds. Keep your garlic bed clean and make sure to plant garlic in well-fertilized, loose soil.
Harvesting
Harvest after three or four leaves have died back and there are still five or six green leaves remaining on the plant – sometime in June or July depending on the year and your climate. Do not wait too long or the bulbs will begin to separate in the ground. Loosen the soil with a shovel or pitchfork and then dig the garlic carefully. Do not pull the stalk or it will separate from the bulb. Gently brush most of the dirt off. Tie plants in a bundle of 6-8 plants and hang in a shaded, dry, well-ventilated shed or garage. Leave plants hanging for 4-6 weeks so that bulbs can cure.
Eating and Storing
After thoroughly drying, trim off the roots and cut the stalks off about 1 ½” from the bulb. Store in net bags. For optimum storage, hang in an area with 45-55 percent humidity and a temperature of 50-70 degrees F.
Hold back your nicest bulbs for replanting.
Saving Bulbs
Garlic is vegetatively propagated rather than grown from seeds. To regrow garlic, keep bulbs intact until no more than 1-2 days before replanting, then simply pull apart garlic bulbs and plant individual cloves as described above. Some garlic varieties will produce seeds if scapes are not removed from the plants, but these seeds will not be true to type.
Source: www.seedsavers.org
Klein’s is carrying the following bulk garlic varieties:
Chesnok Red–(aka Shvelisi) Originates from the village of Shvelisi, Republic of Georgia. Beautiful purple striped paper with red cloves, easy to peel. Good lingering taste, retains flavor well when cooked. Rated as one of the very best for baking or roasting. Hardneck, 8-10 cloves per bulb.
Early Italian–All purpose, mild-flavored garlic. Extra large heads and large cloves make wonderful braids. Does well in the heat and produces early. Excellent storage qualities. Softneck, 8-12 cloves per bulb.
German Extra Hardy–Vigorous grower with long roots that enable it to overwinter without heaving out of the ground. Outside skin is ivory-white, but the clove skin is dark red. Strong raw flavor, high sugar content, one of the very best for roasting. Hardneck, 4-7 cloves per bulb.
Inchelium Red–Found growing on the Colville Indian Reservation in Inchelium, Washington. Light purple blotching on very large bulbs. Compound bulbs have large outer cloves as well as medium cloves in the center of the bulb. Rated the best tasting garlic by the Rodale Institute in 1990. Softneck, 12-16 cloves per bulb.
Ivan–Ivan has a complex and subtle flavor, not as spicy as other porcelains when eaten raw. Very productive in cold winter climates. It has classic teardrop shaped bulbs that are characteristic of the porcelain horticulture group. Hardneck, 4 to 6 cloves per bulb.
Music–Italian variety brought to Canada by Al Music in the 1980s from his homeland. Bright white bulbs with a hint of pink and brown on clove skins. Large cloves are easy to peel. Rich, sweet, and caramelly when roasted. Delicious and spicy raw flavor. Hardneck, 4-10 cloves per bulb.
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.
Cacti and Succulents Direct from Florida…
After years of searching and after many requests from customers, Klein’s recently found a reliable source for a large selection of cacti and succulents. Though still subject to seasonal supply and availability, Product arrived to us punctually, very healthy and in beautiful condition. The selection within the assorted cactus mixes is far broader than anything available to us from our regular suppliers; along with Madagascar palms, desert rose and so much more. Shop early while supplies last!
From our supplier’s website…
“Cactus and Succulents are not a Hobby—Its our Life”
We are one of the largest in house producers of cacti and succulents anywhere in the US. We have over 2 million cacti in many stages. We, unlike others companies, are not dependent on suppliers for product. This company is almost entirely self sufficient, due to the fact that we are the growers.
NOTES FROM MY GARDEN JOURNAL–Tips and Observations from My Own Garden by Rick Halbach
ENTRY: SEPTEMBER 10, 2022 (The Reality of “Hardy” Mums)
At this time of the year, we at Klein’s are asked almost on a daily basis where we have our “hardy” mums or how does one ensure that mums purchased now in the fall will survive the winter. Both questions make the assumption that mums are truly hardy perennials here in Wisconsin. The following concise article appeared courtesy of our friend, Lisa Johnson, a few years back in The Wisconsin State Journal explaining the truth about mum hardiness.
“This time of year, beautiful, blooming chrysanthemums appear in garden centers. They are a favorite of mine, but they don’t always overwinter well in our area and often struggle in our heavy clay soils. Chrysanthemums don’t tolerate ice and poor drainage well, especially not over winter. So, years when we receive rain on top of snow, or heavy snows that melt and re-freeze on top of plants, we often lose chrysanthemums.
One tip is that the earlier you can get them into the ground, the more likely they are to get established before frost and survive the winter. I often buy some in spring (yes, they are available in the springtime in Klein’s perennial area), but then you don’t get to see the color before you buy! Also, looking for plants that are less root-bound and smaller may be helpful. If the plants are very root-bound, be sure to loosen the roots before planting. Less root-bound plants generally establish better than those in highly root-bound specimens in larger pots. Don’t cut your chrysanthemums to the ground after the first hard freeze like we do with many other perennials. Research has shown that keeping about 12 inches of stems in place protects the crown. It also provides a little protection in spring from late frosts. I leave the old stems in place until the new growth is a little over an inch tall and then cut it back just above the new growth. Make sure your chrysanthemums are planted where they get good sun exposure (at least 6 hours, with preferably some afternoon sun) and have good air circulation. Avoid low spots and areas with really heavy clay soil as planting sites.
If you don’t use a mulch usually in your garden do apply a “winter mulch” (I recommend double-shredded hardwood bark) about two inches deep around the root zone to protect the plant from freeze-thaw cycles in fall and winter. Put down the mulch AFTER the ground freezes unless you already have mulch in the garden. The point of it is to keep the ground frozen. Don’t “bury” the plant, leave about an inch of space between the edge of the clump and the beginning of your mulched area. Chrysanthemums take a little work to get sturdy, dense plants with lots of side branches that bear flowers.
“Pinching” is a process that enables you to control the branching and height of the plant. It’s easy to do, just remove of about an inch of the tip of each branch or shoot by literally pinching it off with your thumb and forefinger. Mums are best pinched two or three times during the growing season. The first pinch should be done when the plant is about six to eight inches tall. Pinching will stimulate the plant to produce side branches and become bushier. After the new growth following the first pinch gets four to six inches tall, pinch out the tips again. With shorter plants, two pinchings are plenty, but for taller more vigorous varieties, you can do a third pinch through about July 4th. Beyond this date, the plants may not have time to form flower buds before fall.
Your mums will flower without pinching (and may flower in late spring but not in fall), but they will look much better and produce more flowers with pinching.
Finally, a few words about fertilizer. Mums are heavy feeders and really benefit from some extra fertility in spring and summer. An all-purpose water-soluble fertilizer with an analysis such as 15-15-15 should be fine and can be applied once in early June and once in early August.”
— Lisa Johnson, Dane County UW-Extension horticulture educator
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ENTRY: SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 (Potted Bulbs and the Move Indoors)
The process of prepping my potted summer bulbs for winter storage has begun. It’s time to move my pots of tuberous begonias, callas, caladiums, colocasia, dahlias and pineapple lilies to the garage where they’ll spend the upcoming weeks until their inevitable move to the root cellar in the basement around November 1. It’s important that I let these containers dry out completely before I move them into storage. Doing so ensures that they won’t rot during their 4 months of complete dormancy in the basement. I’m lucky to live in an older home with a root cellar. I’ve been able to get the temperature into the 40’s for most of the winter–perfect temps to store my dormant summer bulbs. Around March 1, I’ll move my pots to the warmer part of the basement where I’ll begin watering them. By mid-May I’ll have already growing containers to place back into the garden. With our short summers, any added growing time is a real plus for summer performance.
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ENTRY: SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (October Eve)
“As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas, and colors enough to paint the beautiful things I see.”
—Vincent van Gogh
KLEIN’S RECIPES OF THE MONTH—These are a selection of relatively simple recipes chosen by our staff. New recipes appear monthly. Enjoy!!
Why buy canned pumpkin puree when you can make your own? It’s fun and it’s easy and it makes your home smell oh-so-good! There are a few different ways to prepare from-scratch pumpkin puree from home. It’s great to make this recipe ahead and freeze so that you’ll have plenty on hand to add to seasonal sides or your go-to pumpkin pie.
You can use the pumpkin puree in any recipe that calls for canned puree. As a general rule, 3 pounds of fresh pumpkin will yield about 3 cups of mashed and cooked pumpkin.
Pie (or sugar) pumpkins are now available at supermarkets, farmers’ markets and at Klein’s.
To Bake:
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Rinse the pumpkin under cool water to rid the skin of any residual dirt and dry well with a clean towel.
3. Cut the pumpkin in half. Remove the seeds and stringy fibers with a metal spoon or ice cream scoop. Save the seeds for toasting, if you like, and discard the innards.
4. Rub the cut surfaces with oil. Place them, cut side down, in a roasting pan and add 1 cup of water to the pan.
5. Bake in the oven until the flesh is tender when pierced with a knife. This takes approximately 90 minutes.
6. When tender, remove the pumpkin halves from the oven and place on a flat surface to cool.
7. Once cool enough to handle, but not cold, scoop out the pumpkin flesh.
8. Puree the pumpkin in a food processor, in a food mill, with a hand held blender or by hand.
9. Pumpkin flesh holds a lot of moisture. Line a sieve or fine mesh colander with paper towel or a coffee filter and set over a deep bowl. Let drain for about 2 hours and stir occasionally.
To Boil:
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
2. In the meantime, rinse the pumpkin under cool water to rid the skin of any residual dirt and dry well with a clean towel.
3. Cut the pumpkin in half. Remove the seeds and stringy fibers with a metal spoon or ice cream scoop. Save the seeds for toasting, if you like, and discard the innards.
4. Cut the pumpkin into evenly-sized smaller pieces and peel.
5. Add to the boiling water and cook for about 25 minutes or until the flesh is tender when pierced with a knife.
6. Puree the pumpkin in a food processor, in a food mill, with a hand held blender or by hand.
To Steam:
1. Bring a pot of water to a boil that will hold a vegetable steamer or colander.
2. In the meantime, rinse the pumpkin under cool water to rid the skin of any residual dirt and dry well with a clean towel.
3. Cut the pumpkin in half. Remove the seeds and stringy fibers with a metal spoon or ice cream scoop. Save the seeds for toasting, if you like, and discard the innards.
4. Cut the pumpkin into evenly sized smaller pieces and peel.
5. Place the pumpkin pieces in a steamer or metal colander and over the boiling water. Cover and let steam for about 50 minutes or until the flesh is tender when pierced with a knife.
6. Puree the pumpkin in a food processor, in a food mill, with a hand held blender or by hand.
To Freeze:
Once the puree has cooled entirely, place in freezer containers or ice cube trays. Leave room at the top (headspace) of the containers or individual ice cube compartments. Label, date and freeze the puree for future use.
Source: Good Housekeeping @ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com
PENNE WITH PUMPKIN SAUCE—”Tasty, unique and flavorful” say the reviews of this easy sauce. Originally printed in the Willie St. Co-op newsletter in October 2001.
1 very large onion, finely chopped
2 sweet red peppers, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 TBS. butter
1 cup canned, solid pack pumpkin
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup water
4 TBS. heavy cream
Nutmeg to taste
1 lb. penne
1/3 cup fresh parsley
Parmesan
In a large skillet, cook the onion, pepper and garlic in butter over medium heat, stirring, until the veggies are softened. Stir in the pumpkin, broth, water, cream and nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta until al dente. Ladle out and reserve 1 cup of the cooking water. Drain the pasta and add to the cooked sauce. Cook over medium heat, stirring and thinning as desired with the reserved cooking water for 1-2 minutes until all is well coated. Stir in the parsley. Serve with parmesan. Serves 4.
PUMPKIN BLACK BEAN SOUP—From Cooking Light magazine.
1 1/2 cups diced tomatoes, drained
2 x 15 oz. cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 tsp. olive oil
Cooking Spray
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
1 tsp. ground cumin
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups chicken broth
2 TBS. sherry vinegar
1/2 tsp pepper
1 x 15 oz. can solid pack pumpkin
2 TBS. dry sherry
1 cup crumbled queso fresco (a Mexican cheese sold like feta)
1/2 cup chopped green onion
Pumpkin seed kernels (optional)
Place tomatoes and beans in a food processor and process until about half the beans are smooth. Set aside. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven coated with cooking spray on medium high. Sauté the onion until lightly browned. Add the cumin and the garlic and cook 1 minute. Add the processed beans, broth, vinegar, pepper and pumpkin. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Stir in the sherry. Serve, sprinkled with a few TBS. cheese, green onions and pumpkin seed kernels. Serves 6.
ICE CREAM PUMPKIN PIE—The kids LOVE this one! Very easy. The texture is light and creamy. Originally a 1967 prize winner from the Wisconsin State Journal.
Make a graham cracker crust for a 10″ pie plate, adding 1 tsp. cinnamon to your basic graham cracker crust recipe.
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 qt. softened vanilla ice cream
Walnut halves
Mix together pumpkin, sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. Fold in the ice cream and pour into the unbaked crust in the 10″ pie plate. Place the nut halves on top. Freeze until ready to serve. Allow to thaw a few minutes before slicing.
PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFINS—Another kids favorite from the Willy St. Co-op newsletter.
2 eggs
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 x 15. oz can pumpkin
1/2 cup canola oil
3/4 cup white flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare a 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray. Beat eggs in a large bowl, then mix in sugar, pumpkin and oil. In a medium bowl, mix together the flours, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Blend into the egg/pumpkin mixture. Fold in the chocolate chips. Spoon equally into the muffin tin. Bake 20 minutes or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean. Remove the muffins from the tin and cool on a wire rack.
PUMPKIN CORN BREAD—Originally in the September 1998 edition of Country Home magazine.
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup yellow corn meal
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
4 eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom and sides of a 9x5x3″ loaf pan. In a bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and cloves. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, with an electric mixer on low, beat the butter 30 seconds. Add the sugar and beat till fluffy. Add the eggs and the pumpkin and beat on low till well combined. Add the dry mix and the milk alternately to the beaten mix and continue beating on low with each addition, until all is well combined. Spoon into the pan. Bake 55-60 minutes until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and cool completely on the wire rack.
NATURAL NEWS–
Garden Calendar for the Week of October 9…
Hardy bulbs: You can start planting spring-blooming bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, crocus, hyacinth and ornamental onions now, and continue planting up until a couple of weeks before the ground freezes.
If you plant hyacinth bulbs, use gloves, as some people develop dermatitis after handling the bulbs.
Bulbs look more natural when planted in clumps rather than stiff rows — and it means you have to dig fewer holes, so put five to eight in a hole together.
The general rule for planting spring bulbs is to plant two to three times as deep as the bulbs is tall. So, most large bulbs like tulips or daffodils will be planted about 8 inches deep while smaller bulbs will be planted 3-4 inches deep.
Measure the planting depth from the bottom (not the top) of the bulb. Ideally, water the bulbs after planting, especially if it is dry.
Most of the hardy spring-flowering bulbs evolved in desert or Mediterranean climates. Many are native to Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan, for instance.
Tulips, especially hybrids, are not well-adapted to our wet, heavy clay soils. That means they often don’t last more than a few years in our yards, especially if we plant annuals that need a lot of water on top of or right next to them. They appreciate moisture while blooming, but prefer a hot, dry summer afterwards when they go dormant.
Tulip bulbs need good drainage, so plant them where the soil is suitable. Planting “species” tulips, the shorter types with smaller flowers, may work better for you as they tend to live longer. Species tulips include named varieties of Tulipa clusiana, Tulipa tarda, Tulipa greigii and Tulipa kaufmanniana, among others.
Daffodils tend to last much longer in our climate and soils than tulips. If you have issues with chipmunks or squirrels digging up bulbs, planting more daffodils or hyacinth, which are poisonous to such critters (as opposed to tulips or crocus), can be helpful as they will be less motivated to dig up tulip bulbs.
Another strategy is to put a couple inches of “chicken grit” that you can buy in farm and feed stores just under the mulch (or if you don’t use mulch, about half an inch under the top of the soil) that is over the bulbs. Squirrels and chipmunks don’t like digging in such material and it may discourage them but won’t interfere with the bulbs coming up in spring.
You can also lay chicken wire over the soil where you planted the bulbs and weight it with bricks or rocks. Leave it over winter but be sure to remove it in spring when the bulb foliage starts to poke out of the soil so the leaves don’t get girdled.
If you have critters that like to snip off the flower heads, you may want to apply a repellant on a regular basis. A number of such products are available for sale.
Lisa Johnson, Dane County UW-Extension horticulture educator
Source: Wisconsin State Journal @ madison.com/wsj/
OCTOBER’S PLANT OF THE MONTH:
Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale)
Colchicum autumnale, commonly called autumn crocus or meadow saffron, is a cormous perennial that typically blooms in the fall. Plants send up only foliage (5-8 lanceolate dark green leaves to 10″ long) in spring. Foliage gradually yellows and dies by early summer when the plants go dormant. Naked flower stems (1-6 stems per sheath) rise from the ground to 6-10″ tall in late summer to early fall, each stem bearing a star-shaped, lavender-pink to lilac-pink flower. Fall flowers have no foliage, hence the sometimes used additional common name of ‘naked ladies’ for this plant. Medicinal colchicum and colchicine come from the corms and seeds. The common name of autumn crocus is somewhat misleading because autumn crocus (Colchicaceae family but formerly included in Liliaceae family) is not closely related to spring crocus (Iridaceae family). Among the differences, the flowers of autumn crocus have six stamens and the flowers of spring crocus have three stamens.
Genus name come from the abundance of the plant in Colchis, the Black Sea region of Georgia, Caucasus.
Autumn crocus are best grown in organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Sharp soil drainage helps prevent corm rot. Purchase dormant corms in late summer and plant them immediately (3″ deep and 6″ apart) for bloom in fall. Dig and divide corms when plants become crowded (every 3 years). Site corms in areas where the short flowers may be enjoyed in fall but where the taller spring foliage will not interfere with other perennials. Reduce watering when the foliage yellows and begins to die back (July). Resume watering again in late summer.
In the garden, use colchicums in meadow and woodland beds. Good for pockets in the landscape where spring and summer plants are fading. Good around patios or along walks. Plant with low ground covers which may help support weak flower stems. Generally inappropriate for prominent parts of beds or borders because of the unsightly appearance of the spring foliage as it yellows and declines on its way toward summer dormancy.
Klein’s currently has colchicum bulbs on hand in cooler near our floral department to prevent premature blooming and growth. Plant the bulbs immediately after purchase in that bulbs will bloom even out of the ground if left unplanted or unrefrigerated, thereby wasting their vigor for rooting.
Source: www.missouribotanicalgarden.org
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 @ Olbrich Gardens
Thru October 29
Wednesdays thru Saturdays, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. rain or shine
Olbrich Gardens’ GLEAM exhibit returns 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.
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, 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
Crackle–Fire & Froth @ Olbrich Gardens
Friday & Saturday, October 7 & 8, 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Be inspired by the beauty of a crisp fall evening in Olbrich’s outdoor gardens! Watch the flames from bonfires dance on the Great Lawn, groove to live music, enjoy a variety of food offerings provided by some of Madison’s favorite food carts, and sip frothy Wisconsin micro-brews!
Must be 21 years old to attend. A limited number of advance tickets are available. Additional tickets may be available the day of the event, weather permitting. Music, bars, and food vendors will be moved inside in the event of heavy rain. Tickets are available online @https://olbrich.doubleknot.com/openrosters/availableevents.aspx?orgkey=4403. Tickets are non-refundable. Ticket proceeds benefit the Gardens. Tickets are $35 ($30 for members).
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Harvest Folk Festival at Allen Centennial Garden
Saturday, October 8, 12:00-6:00
Join us to celebrate an abundant and diverse harvest! We’ll have live music, dancing, and storytelling alongside opportunities to learn about different harvest traditions from Dejope (Madison) and around the world. Free and open to the public!
This event will showcase performances of folk music, folk dance, and storytelling; hands-on learning opportunities in the Garden; and displays of student research. Its goal is to offer members of the University community and beyond the opportunity to experience cultural harvest performances by Hmong, Indigenous, African American, Eastern European, and Scandinavian performers.
Allen Centennial Gardens
620 Babcock Dr. on the University of WI campus, Madison
608/576-2501 or allencentennialgarden.org for details.
Conifers @ the Arboretum
Saturday, October 8, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Longenecker Horticultural Garden Tour
David Stevens, garden curator, will explore the Longenecker Horticultural Gardens’ pinetum—the largest and most diverse conifer collection in the state. Located on a glacial drumlin, the collection presents a diverse array of conifers from around the world. Tours take place except in unsafe weather. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of Wisconsin Arboretum
1207 Seminole Highway
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu.
Full Moon Night Walk @ the Arboretum
Saturday, October 8, 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
Welcoming Fall @ the Arboretum
Sunday, October 9, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Walk
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. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come seasonally prepared for weather and insects. Walks take place 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
Nature Hike in the Grady Tract @ the Arboretum
Sunday, October 9, 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
Following W.S. Merwin—The Well-Being of Poetry in Nature @ the Arboretum
Friday, October 14, 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Class
A United States Poet Laureate and recipient of many poetry prizes, W.S. Merwin will be our inspiration for this class. Instructor: Troy Hess, volunteer team leader. Outdoor class, include a walk to Icke Boardwalk, come dressed for weather. Class takes place except in unsafe weather. Make-up date: October 21. Register by October 10 @https://arboretum.wisc.edu/classes/following-w-s-merwin-the-well-being-of-poetry-in-nature/ . Fee: $15. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Colors of Fall Garden Tour @ the Arboretum
Saturday, October 15, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Join David Stevens, garden curator, for a stroll through Longenecker Horticultural Gardens highlighting sensational seasonal colors and exploring the science behind this natural phenomenon. 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
Reading the Landscape—Woodlands @ the Arboretum
Saturday, October 15, 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Class
Explore Gallistel and Wingra Woods during peak fall colors. Learn to identify plants, distinguish the characteristics of different woodlands, and find out about the restoration and management of these communities. Instructor: Sylvia Marek, Arboretum naturalist. Outdoor class, takes place except in unsafe weather. Make-up date: October 22. Fee: $25; Register by October 11 @https://arboretum.wisc.edu/classes/reading-the-landscape-woodlands/ . 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, October 16, 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, October 23, 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
Dream of Wild Health @ the Arboretum
Sunday, October 23, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Fall Lecture
Jessika Greendeer, farm director, Dream of Wild Health (DWH). DWH is an intertribal, independent nonprofit that serves the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Native American community. Their 30-acre farm in Hugo, Minnesota, provides educational programs that reconnect the urban Native American community with traditional Native plants and their culinary, medicinal, and spiritual use. Remote speaker. 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
40th Annual Herb Fair @ Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Saturday, November 5, 9:00-3:00
This Year’s Theme: Easy Herbs for Everyone
The Herb Fair annually sponsored by the Madison Herb Society, reaches out to the public through lectures and demonstrations and provides an outlet for members to expand their knowledge and abilities to use herbs.
Hear about herbs from speakers and vendors. Purchase herbal products. Make & take projects, demonstrations, and a Q & A station. Free! Sponsored by the Madison Herb Society. Visit www.madisonherbsociety.org. for a detailed schedule of the day’s events.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
All About Owls @ the Arboretum
Saturday, November 5, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Class
Learn about Wisconsin’s twelve owl species, focusing on the three that nest in Madison, and how to identify these elusive birds of prey. Habitat, calls, courtship, hunting, and eating will be discussed. Instructor: Sylvia Marek, Arboretum naturalist. Indoor class. Fee: $20. Register by November 1 @https://arboretum.wisc.edu/classes/all-about-owls-3/ . 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 through 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 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
OCTOBER 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.
___Visit Olbrich, Rotary or Allen Centennial Gardens and note plants of fall interest for spring planting and best selection.
___Dig new beds now! It’s easier now than in spring when super-busy.
___Take geranium, salvia, impatiens, abutilon cuttings before the first freeze.
___Plant spring bulbs now! Plant tulips, daffodils, hyacinths & crocus.
___Plant bulbs for forcing and put in a cool location for 10-12 weeks.
___Plant Christmas amaryllis now for holiday blooms; paperwhites now for Thanksgiving blooms.
___Apply a systemic pesticide to plants to be wintered over indoors.
___Move potted bulbs to be stored like begonias, callas, caladiums and cannas to a garage so they can dry out before storage.
___Dig up and store dahlias, glads, cannas and elephant’s ear after tops freeze.
___Continue planting deciduous shrubs and trees until the ground freezes.
___Divide and plant perennials as desired.
___Clean up stalks and leaves of annuals and vegetables, preventing viruses and pests for next year’s garden.
___Continue harvesting brussels sprouts, kale, greens and root crops.
___Plant garlic. October is the best time.
___Stop deadheading perennials for winter interest, i.e. sedums, grasses, etc.
___Cut perennials back to 4-6″, leaving those for winter interest.
___Collect seeds for next year’s garden.
___Plant winter rye as a cover crop for spring tilling.
___Make notes in your garden journal for changes, improvements, etc.
___Take pictures of your garden for record keeping.
___Mow the lawn at shortest setting for last mowing of the season.
___Visit Klein’s—Great selection of mums, kales, cabbages, pansies & more!
Some of our very favorite seed and plant sources include:
For seeds:
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds @ www.rareseeds.com or 417/924-8887
Burpee @ www.burpee.com or 800/888-1447
Harris Seeds @ www.harrisseeds.com or 800/514-4441
Johnny’s Select Seeds @ www.johnnyseeds.com or 207/861-3901
Jung’s Seeds @ www.jungseed.com or 800/247-5864
Park’s Seeds @ www.parkseed.com or 800/845-3369
Pinetree @ www.superseeds.com or 207/926-3400
Seeds of Change @ www.seedsofchange.com or 888/762-7333
Seed Savers @ www.seedsavers.org or 563/382-5990
Select Seeds @ www.selectseeds.com or 800/684-0395
Territorial Seeds @ www.territorialseed.com or 888/657-3131
Thompson & Morgan @ www.thompson-morgan.com or 800/274-7333
For bulbs:
Brent & Becky’s Bulbs @ www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com or 877/661-2852
Colorblends @ www.colorblends.com or 888/847-8637
John Scheeper’s @ www.johnscheepers.com or 860/567-0838
McClure & Zimmerman @ www.mzbulb.com or 800/883-6998
For plants:
High Country Gardens @ www.highcountrygardens.com or 800/925-9387
Logee’s Greenhouses @ www.logees.com or 888/330-8038
Plant Delights Nursery @ www.plantdelights.com or 912/772-4794
Roots and Rhizomes @ www.rootsrhizomes.com or 800/374-5035
Wayside Gardens @ www.waysidegardens.com or 800/213-0379
White Flower Farm @ www.whiteflowerfarm.com or 800/503-9624
BEHIND THE SCENES AT KLEIN’S—This is a sneak peek of what is going on each month behind the scenes in our greenhouses. Many people are unaware that our facility operates year round or that we have 10 more greenhouses on the property in addition to the 6 open for retail. At any given moment we already have a jump on the upcoming season–be it poinsettias in July, geraniums in December or fall mums in May.
IN OCTOBER:
—We begin shutting down the back greenhouses. They remain unheated for the winter allowing energy savings and pest control.
—Weatherizing continues. We seal up and insulate unused doors and caulk up air leaks. Water is shut off to the greenhouses not used during the winter.
—Pots, cell packs and trays arrive from our wholesalers in preparation for next spring. Most are stored in the unused greenhouses out back. It’s only 3 months till the first of next year’s geranium crop arrive (we already have many of next season’s tropicals).
—We send out our mailings to local churches regarding poinsettia and blooming plant information for the upcoming holidays. We are proud to say that hundreds of area churches and businesses are decked out with Klein’s HOMEGROWN poinsettias during the holiday season.
—By month’s end the poinsettias begin to change color. Looking across the greenhouses, one begins to see hints of red, pink and white. We’ve moved many of our poinsettias into our retail area from their growing spaces. We’ve been pampering them since early July!
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/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