‘THE SAGE’-Klein’s Online Newsletter—MARCH 2023
Klein’s Floral & Greenhouses
3758 E. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
608/244-5661 or info@kleinsfloral.com
THIS MONTH’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Our ‘Mad Gardener‘ and ‘Houseplant Help‘ Are Ready for Your Questions
Ever Thought about Working @ a Garden Center?
Choosing Annuals & Perennials for a Cutting Garden
Monrovia’s Shop Online…Shopping Made Easy
Seeds with a Wisconsin Story
Extension’s Green Thumb Gardening Spring Series Begins March 6 (See Around Town Below)
Klein’s Favorite Seed, Bulb & Plant Sources
You Asked about Houseplant Soil Mold
Plant of the Month: Clivia
Klein’s Favorite Artichoke Recipes
Product Spotlight: Jiffy Products
Notes from Rick’s Garden Journal—From February 2023
—Seed Buying Dos and Don’ts
—The Best & the Brightest—at a Price
—Logee’s Plants…My Favorite Mail Order Company
March in the Garden: A Planner
Gardening Events Around Town
Join Us on Twitter
Follow Us on Facebook
EVER THOUGHT ABOUT WORKING AT A GARDEN CENTER?
Perhaps now’s the time to explore the possibility.
March is the perfect time to fill out an application online @ kleinsfloral.com/employment/. By early March we try to have most of our hiring in place for the upcoming spring.
We’re always in need of temporary, part-time counter help in the spring and greenhouse production swings into gear during March. If you’re interested, ask for Sue (sue@kleinsfloral.com) about retail positions or Michael (michael@kleinsfloral.com) for the greenhouse. Benefits include flexible hours, a generous discount on all purchases and a stimulating and fun work environment. Join our team and experience first hand how we make the magic happen.
HAVE YOU MOVED RECENTLY?
If so, we ask that as we go into the busy spring season, you update your new address in association with Klein’s Rewards Program so you continue to receive all possible benefits.
In addition to occasional coupons, we’ve been mailing out birthday month postcards with an added gift during the past year or so and find that many are being returned with an invalid address. We don’t want you to miss out!
If your address has recently changed, please send your new information to info@kleinsfloral.com and please include your name and your old address as reference.
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.
MARCH STORE HOURS:
Monday thru Friday : 9:00-6:00
Saturday: 9:00-5:00
Sunday: 10:00-4:00
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
March 6—Purim Begins
March 7—Full Moon
March 8—International Women’s Day
March 12—Daylight Saving Time Begins
March 17—St. Patrick’s Day. From shamrocks to green carnations–we have it!
March 20—First Day of Spring!!!! It’s still too early to plant, but you’ll notice spring bulbs peeking through the cold soil, trees buds bulging and maybe even that first robin. Keep in mind that Madison’s average last frost date is May 10 so there’s usually still lots of cold and snow to come.
March 22—Ramadan Begins
April 1—April Fool’s Day
‘THE FLOWER SHOPPE’:
The Cutting Garden
Now, while it’s still winter and cold and snowy outside, is the best time to begin planning your summer garden. Few gardens are more rewarding for the home gardener than their cut flower garden. In the weeks ahead you’ll find well-stocked seed racks at garden centers as indoor seed starting ramps up for the upcoming season. By mid-March many of our favorite cut flower choices should be sown for a good head start on the planting season.
During the week of March 17, begin sowing calendula, gerber daisies, rudbeckias, linaria and larkspur. The week of March 24 should be set aside for sowing four o’clocks, pincushion flower, celosia and blue lace flower. The following week (March 31) is the biggest seed sowing week of all: annual tickseeds, cosmos, nicotianas, salvias, ageratum, tithonia and cleome, just to name a few. The week of April 7 slows just a wee bit as we sow our nasturtiums, zinnias, marigolds, annual blanket flowers and strawflowers. Indoor seed planting continues to wane as planting time grows ever closer. During the week of April 14 we sow mostly non-cutting flowers like the morning glories. Then during the week of April 21 we start the quick growers; the sunflowers, sweet peas and amaranths. Now that the planting is over our time is spent transplanting and maintaining our seedlings as we anxiously wait to get them outside to harden them off before planting them into the garden in mid-May.
If you don’t yet have an area of your landscape set aside as a cutting garden, perhaps 2023 is the year to get started. Following are two excellent articles we’ve found to get you off to a good start.
Choosing Annual Flowers for Your Cutting Garden
By Marie Iannotti
There are any number of excellent plant choices for use as cut flowers. Although many perennial flowers do wonderfully well as cut flowers, you may be sacrificing the only flowers the plants will produce that season. So repeat blooming annuals are often favored for cutting gardens, because you will get a longer season bloom. It’s a personal choice.
Generally speaking, what makes for a good cut flower is a stem that is long enough and sturdy enough to hold the flower in an arrangement and a flower that lasts and looks good for several days. Flowers like daylilies, that bloom for only one day, and Impatiens, with insignificant stems, would not be great choices for cut flowers.
In the end, the choice of cut flowers comes down to what the gardener likes. Cosmos bloom profusely in many colors and are on everyone’s list of great cut flowers. But if you lean toward dense clusters like Bells of Ireland or lupines, or exotic, tropical colors like celosia, there’s a flower for you too.
Annual Flowers Suitable for Use as Cut Flowers:
Ageratum (Floss Flower)–Tight clusters of purple / blue flowers. Low grower.
Amaranthus caudatus (Love Lies Bleeding)–Hanging ropes of magenta blossoms with the texture of chenille.
Amaranthus hybrids *–Spiky blooms in shades from bronze to red.
Ammi majus (Bishop’s Flower, False Queen Anne’s Lace, White Dill)–The names sum it up.
Anemone (Anemone sylvestris)–Delicate white cups with yellow centers.
Bells of Ireland (Moluccella laevis)*–Green, bell shaped flowers line tall spikes.
Blue Lace Flower (Trachymene coerulea)–A smaller, blue version of Queen Anne’s Lace.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)–Daisy like flowers in hot hues of orange an yellow.
Callistephus chinesis (China Aster)–Spidery pom-poms in assorted colors.
Castor Bean (Ricinus communis)–Panicles of small, fluffy red flowers are followed by reddish-brow seed pods.
Celosia, cristata (Cockscomb)*–Cauliflower shaped flower heads in brilliant colors.
Celosia, plumosa (Feather)*–Plumes in similar shades to C. Cristata.
Celosia, spicata (Wheat)*–Fluffy flower spikes.
Centaurea (Bachelors’ Button)–Periwinkle blue daisy-like flowers
Cleome (Spider Flower)–Gangly plants with spidery explosions of flower buds in pink, purple and white.
Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)–Profuse bloomer in a wide assortment of colors and flower shapes.
Dill–Flat umbels of yellow flowers.
Drumstick Flower (Craspedia globosa)*–One-inch yellow globes on tall, stiff stems.
Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis sylvatica)–Profuse bloomer in a rare true blue
Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)*–Small clover-like globe shaped flowers in many colors, on long stems.
Heliotrope–Dense purple flower heads with a light, vanilla scent.
Kiss Me Over the Garden Gate (Polygonum orientale)–Long, drooping, reddish flower spikes.
Larkspur (Consolida ambigua)*–Considered an ‘annual delphinium’, with similar flower spikes and colors.
Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum)–Flowers could easily be mistaken for a rose, in white, pinks and deep purples.
Marigold (Tagetes erecta)–Pom-poms held on tall stems, in shades from soft yellow to deep gold.
Nigella damascena (Love In A Mist)*–Balloon shaped buds and star-shaped blooms are cloaked in delicate netting. Blue, pinks, purple and white.
Reseda Odorata (Mignonette)–The spikes cream-colored flowers aren’t showy, but they are heavily scented and wonderful in arrangements.
Salpiglossis (Painted Tongue)–Soft, velvety trumpet-shaped flowers in a range of colors.
Salvia coccinea (Lady in Red)–Spikes of tubular, scarlet red flowers
Salvia farinacea–Thin, but sturdy spikes of delicate flowers in shades of blue and white
Statice (Limonium sinuatum)*–Sprays of dense, tiny pastel blossoms on very sturdy stems.
Strawflower (Bracteantha bracteata)*–Another daisy-like flower from the Aster family, but these have a dry, papery feel even when fresh. Comes in colors fro pastels to hots.
Stock (Matthiola)–Dense flower spikes with a spicy scent. Comes in pastels and jewel tones.
Sunflower *–Short or giant, sunflowers make long lasting cut flowers.
Sweet Annie (Artemisia annua)*–Grown for its fern-like, dark green foliage. Also has delicate, sweet scented white blooms.
Sweet Pea–Old fashioned, tall growing sweet peas have pea like blossoms and deceptively strong stems and come in a wide variety of colors and spicy scents.
Verbena bonariensis–Small clusters of purple flowers top long (4′) stems that waft in the breeze and intermingle with other plants.
Zinnia elegans–Pom-poms with dense petals and contrasting centers. Profuse bloomer.
* Also good for drying.
The above article comes to us from About Gardening .com @ gardening.about.com
Grow a Colorful Cutting Garden
By Jean M. Fogle
Fresh-cut, home-grown flowers transform a house into a home! Cutting armfuls of flowers you grew, and then making arrangements, drying them or giving them away is a true country pleasure. For years, I resisted harvesting flowers from my gardens, afraid I would ruin the wonderful display. The perfect solution was to start a cutting garden.
This new garden was fun to plan. I had no reason to worry about the design; I simply planted the flowers in rows for easy plant care and harvest. I didn’t need to worry about color schemes; I could welcome flowers of all colors. Now, spring, summer and fall, I can cut to my heart’s content! If you love flowers in your home, try adding a cutting garden.
Where you plan your cutting garden will determine the plants you will be able to use. Check the location to see how much sunlight it receives during the day. If it is sunny in the morning but shady by noon, all but the deepest shade plants will thrive. Hot afternoon sun locations are best for the sun-loving plants. Note if the area holds water or if it drains quickly.
Perennials form the backbone of any cutting garden. The plants live and bloom for years but their blooming season is often counted in weeks instead of months. When you begin to plan your garden, don’t forget to check when the plants bloom. Be sure to add spring, summer and fall bloomers to your cutting garden. By staggering the bloom time, you will have plenty of flowers to grace your home.
Spring Color for Cutting:
When the snow recedes and the warm winds begin to blow, the spring bloomers brighten the grey landscape. Be sure to plant enough spring flowers to add some cheer to the cool spring days. Early bird bloomers have the shortest bloom times.
Lenten Rose (Hellebores)
Often blooming while snow still covers the ground, this tough and tenacious perennial has wonderful flowers. Flowers can be single or double, and come in a large variety of colors including green. Plant these shade lovers in well drained locations for years of blooms. Harvest the flowers when they are just opening. Zones 4 to 9Columbine (Aquilegia)
From April to June, columbines add their special beauty to the garden. The petals have spurs that project behind the flower which gives them an unusual look. For areas of the garden where you need some height, the McKanna’s Giants reach 36 inches and come in a wide array of colors. I love the long strong stem of these for cutting. For a more compact plant, look for the dwarf Dragonfly Hybrids; they only grow 16 inches. In cooler climates the plants can tolerate sun, but require shade in warmer climates, and enjoy rich well drained soils. Cut when the blooms just begin to open. Zones 3 to 9Dianthus
From lowly groundcovers to the taller varieties, dianthus performs well in almost any garden. One whiff of the spicy fragrance and you can understand why the flower is popular in cut arrangements. Dianthus do best in full sun and come in colors ranging from pure white to purple. The lovely grey green foliage makes a nice contrast to the flowers. When the flowers first open is the best time to harvest. Zones 3 to 8Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra)
Bleeding hearts flowers are always a welcome sight. The stems with dainty hearts delicately dangling in a row make great cut flowers and add a special touch to any arrangement. The common bleeding heart had dark pink flowers and grows to 36 inches. These plants enjoy shady locations with rich moist soil. If you have a sunnier spot, try Dicentra eximia commonly called Fringed Bleeding heart. More compact, growing only 10 to 18 inches , this plant blooms for longer periods of time than common bleeding heart and tolerates some sun. Both types of bleeding hearts are available in white cultivars. Cut bleeding hearts for arrangements when the flowers are open. Zones 4 to 8
Often blooming while snow still covers the ground, this tough and tenacious perennial has wonderful flowers. Flowers can be single or double, and come in a large variety of colors including green. Plant these shade lovers in well drained locations for years of blooms. Harvest the flowers when they are just opening. Zones 4 to 9Columbine (Aquilegia)
From April to June, columbines add their special beauty to the garden. The petals have spurs that project behind the flower which gives them an unusual look. For areas of the garden where you need some height, the McKanna’s Giants reach 36 inches and come in a wide array of colors. I love the long strong stem of these for cutting. For a more compact plant, look for the dwarf Dragonfly Hybrids; they only grow 16 inches. In cooler climates the plants can tolerate sun, but require shade in warmer climates, and enjoy rich well drained soils. Cut when the blooms just begin to open. Zones 3 to 9Dianthus
From lowly groundcovers to the taller varieties, dianthus performs well in almost any garden. One whiff of the spicy fragrance and you can understand why the flower is popular in cut arrangements. Dianthus do best in full sun and come in colors ranging from pure white to purple. The lovely grey green foliage makes a nice contrast to the flowers. When the flowers first open is the best time to harvest. Zones 3 to 8Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra)
Bleeding hearts flowers are always a welcome sight. The stems with dainty hearts delicately dangling in a row make great cut flowers and add a special touch to any arrangement. The common bleeding heart had dark pink flowers and grows to 36 inches. These plants enjoy shady locations with rich moist soil. If you have a sunnier spot, try Dicentra eximia commonly called Fringed Bleeding heart. More compact, growing only 10 to 18 inches , this plant blooms for longer periods of time than common bleeding heart and tolerates some sun. Both types of bleeding hearts are available in white cultivars. Cut bleeding hearts for arrangements when the flowers are open. Zones 4 to 8
Peonies
What would spring be like without fragrant peony flowers? Though their blooming season is short, the big beautiful flowers are a must for any cutting garden. Hardy and easy to grow, peonies enjoy full sun sites, but can tolerate some shade. The colors range from white to red with a few yellow varieties. The double flowers tend to be the most fragrant, but single flowers have a lovely form. Cut theses flowers when they are just opening. Zones 2 to 8
Oriental poppy (Papaver)
Late spring brings the incredibly showy flowers of the oriental poppy. Brilliant colors of the large crepe paper like flowers make these plants a must for a cutting garden. They love full sun and well- drained soil but only bloom a few short weeks. Cut the flowers in the cool morning before the flowers fully open. Zones 3 to 7
Lupine
Lupine’s long spikes of pea-like flowers are held above the plant’s attractive foliage. The flowers come in many colors, including some bi-colors. Lupine grows best in acid soil and likes a shady spot in the garden. Harvest when most of the buds are open. Zones 4 to 8
Summer Color:
As the warmer weather of summer approaches, the spring bloomers slip away, replaced by the incredible array of summer bloomers. Just a few of the many to chose from, these are plants that are hardy in most gardens and have a longer bloom time than many summer perennials.
Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum)
White daisies compliment any flower arrangement and the perennial Shasta daisies are great bloomers. While most shastas have a short bloom period, ‘Becky’ blooms till frost. This tough plant fills out quickly and produces masses of flowers, making it my all time favorite daisy. As a cut flower it is excellent due to its sturdy stem that holds up well in arrangements. Plant is full sun, and be prepared to share this plant with friends since the clumps will grow quickly. Cut the flowers when they are fully open. Zones 4 to 9Delphinium
The tall stately beauties of the cutting garden, these plants produce masses of flowers. Strong stems make them great cut flowers in arrangements. “Pacific Giants” come in a variety of colors, are mildew resistant and grow around 4 feet tall. Look for ‘Magic Fountains’ if you need a shorter plant. Known best for brilliant blue flowers, they also come in pink, red and white. Plant in full sun and well-drained soil for the best results. Harvest when half of the florets are open. Zones 4 to 8Coneflowers (Echinacea)
Native to the North American plains, coneflowers have lovely flowers with drooping petals. These hardy, adaptable plants produce excellent cut flowers and deserve a place in any cutting garden. The standard coneflower has bright pink flowers, but ‘White Swan’ is an excellent cultivar with white flowers. Exciting new coneflowers varieties now come in shades of mango, orange and gold. Look for ‘Sunrise’, ‘Sunset’, and Sundown’ if you want these colors in your garden. Coneflowers tolerate many different conditions but do enjoy a fair amount of sun, and can be cut at any time. At the end of the season, don’t remove the spent flowers, the birds love the seeds. Zones 2 to 8Phlox
If fragrance is a must in your garden, be sure to plant phlox! Ranging from white to purple, you are sure to find a phlox that fits your garden needs. Look for varieties resistant to powdery mildew, a common problem of this plant. “David’, has wonderful white flowers and is very disease resistant. ‘Robert Poore’ has rosy purple flowers with strong stems for cutting. Lovely lilac blooms and sweet scent make ‘Franz Schubert’ one of my favorite phlox. When half of the flowers are open is the best time to cut to take in for arrangements. Zones 4 to 8
White daisies compliment any flower arrangement and the perennial Shasta daisies are great bloomers. While most shastas have a short bloom period, ‘Becky’ blooms till frost. This tough plant fills out quickly and produces masses of flowers, making it my all time favorite daisy. As a cut flower it is excellent due to its sturdy stem that holds up well in arrangements. Plant is full sun, and be prepared to share this plant with friends since the clumps will grow quickly. Cut the flowers when they are fully open. Zones 4 to 9Delphinium
The tall stately beauties of the cutting garden, these plants produce masses of flowers. Strong stems make them great cut flowers in arrangements. “Pacific Giants” come in a variety of colors, are mildew resistant and grow around 4 feet tall. Look for ‘Magic Fountains’ if you need a shorter plant. Known best for brilliant blue flowers, they also come in pink, red and white. Plant in full sun and well-drained soil for the best results. Harvest when half of the florets are open. Zones 4 to 8Coneflowers (Echinacea)
Native to the North American plains, coneflowers have lovely flowers with drooping petals. These hardy, adaptable plants produce excellent cut flowers and deserve a place in any cutting garden. The standard coneflower has bright pink flowers, but ‘White Swan’ is an excellent cultivar with white flowers. Exciting new coneflowers varieties now come in shades of mango, orange and gold. Look for ‘Sunrise’, ‘Sunset’, and Sundown’ if you want these colors in your garden. Coneflowers tolerate many different conditions but do enjoy a fair amount of sun, and can be cut at any time. At the end of the season, don’t remove the spent flowers, the birds love the seeds. Zones 2 to 8Phlox
If fragrance is a must in your garden, be sure to plant phlox! Ranging from white to purple, you are sure to find a phlox that fits your garden needs. Look for varieties resistant to powdery mildew, a common problem of this plant. “David’, has wonderful white flowers and is very disease resistant. ‘Robert Poore’ has rosy purple flowers with strong stems for cutting. Lovely lilac blooms and sweet scent make ‘Franz Schubert’ one of my favorite phlox. When half of the flowers are open is the best time to cut to take in for arrangements. Zones 4 to 8
Russian Sage (Perovskia)
This plant packs a punch! The silvery green foliage contrasts nicely with the lovely spikes of lavender blue flowers and an added bonus is the herb like fragrance of the plant. Russian sage blooms till frost and produces plenty of flowers. Plant size reaches four to five feet tall by three to four feet wide, with an open airy look. Tolerant of poor soil, drought and a range of pH, Russian Sage can grow in a variety of conditions. This plant deserves a sunny place in any cutting garden. Cut when most of the flowers are open. Zones 3 to 9
Coreopsis
For your garden border, try coreopsis. Growing from 8 inches to 2 feet, these sun loving plants produce flowers for a long period of time. Thread leaf coreopsis, has fern like foliage and blooms profusely. The yellow, pink or red flowers are small but the foliage adds a nice texture to an arrangement. Taller growing ‘Early Sunrise’ has large, bright yellow semi-double flowers and is one of my favorite coreopsis. Harvest when the flowers are open. Zones 4 to 9
Blanket flower (Gaillardia)
Easy to grow Blanket flower is a lovely addition to the cutting garden. The daisy like flowers have yellow tips and rust centers and a long bloom time. For dwarf plants look for ‘Goblin’ and ‘Baby Cole’. ‘Burgundy’ is taller and has solid red flowers while Dazzler’ had the bicolor red and yellow flowers. ‘Red Plume’ has a dark red, double flower .Plant them in full sun and well drained soil then sit back and enjoy. Cut the flowers when they are fully open. Zones 2 to 10
Fall Bloomers:
When cool weather arrives, the summer perennials decide they are done, and the fall bloomers begin their show.
When cool weather arrives, the summer perennials decide they are done, and the fall bloomers begin their show.
Sneezeweed (Helenium)
Once used in place of snuff to induce sneezing, this wildflower is finding a home in the fall garden. The yellow, orange or red daisylike flowers open in late summer and the plant grows 3 to 5 feet.. This plant is excellent if you have clay soil and enjoys a sunny spot. Cut when the flowers just open. Zones 3 to 9Goldenrod (Solidago)
Because ragweed and goldenrod bloom at the same time, goldenrod has long been wrongly blamed for causing hay fever. This incredible plant is finally getting the respect it deserves in the fall garden. Unlike native goldenrods, the new varieties are more compact and less invasive. ‘Fireworks’ grows three feet and blooms vigoursly till frost .’Golden Fleece’ is a more compact varitiey that grows about 18 inches tall. Give goldenrod plenty of sun and once they are established, they are tolerant of drought. Cut these flowers when some of the florets are just opening. Zones 2 to 9Asters
In shades of pink, red, purple, blue and white, these delicate daisy-like blossoms add punch to the autumn garden. There is an abundance of varieties available, with dwarf plants and ones that grow 3-5 feet. I particularly love the dark purple of the ‘Purple Dome’ and the brilliant red of ‘Winston Churchill’. The airy foliage is a nice contrast to the flowers and helps fill in fall bouquets. Give them a sunny site and enjoy the show. Cut the flowers when most of the flowers are open. Zones 4 to 9Turtle head (Chelone)
Don’t let the name of this perennial put you off! Nick-named for blossoms shaped like turtles heads, this plant adds a lot of interest to the fall garden. Coming in shades of white, pink or red, turtle head has attractive foliage and generally, the plant is 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Partial shade to full sun and a consistently moist to wet, organic soil are ideal conditions for growth. Cut the flowers when they are just opening. Zones 2 to 9
Once used in place of snuff to induce sneezing, this wildflower is finding a home in the fall garden. The yellow, orange or red daisylike flowers open in late summer and the plant grows 3 to 5 feet.. This plant is excellent if you have clay soil and enjoys a sunny spot. Cut when the flowers just open. Zones 3 to 9Goldenrod (Solidago)
Because ragweed and goldenrod bloom at the same time, goldenrod has long been wrongly blamed for causing hay fever. This incredible plant is finally getting the respect it deserves in the fall garden. Unlike native goldenrods, the new varieties are more compact and less invasive. ‘Fireworks’ grows three feet and blooms vigoursly till frost .’Golden Fleece’ is a more compact varitiey that grows about 18 inches tall. Give goldenrod plenty of sun and once they are established, they are tolerant of drought. Cut these flowers when some of the florets are just opening. Zones 2 to 9Asters
In shades of pink, red, purple, blue and white, these delicate daisy-like blossoms add punch to the autumn garden. There is an abundance of varieties available, with dwarf plants and ones that grow 3-5 feet. I particularly love the dark purple of the ‘Purple Dome’ and the brilliant red of ‘Winston Churchill’. The airy foliage is a nice contrast to the flowers and helps fill in fall bouquets. Give them a sunny site and enjoy the show. Cut the flowers when most of the flowers are open. Zones 4 to 9Turtle head (Chelone)
Don’t let the name of this perennial put you off! Nick-named for blossoms shaped like turtles heads, this plant adds a lot of interest to the fall garden. Coming in shades of white, pink or red, turtle head has attractive foliage and generally, the plant is 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Partial shade to full sun and a consistently moist to wet, organic soil are ideal conditions for growth. Cut the flowers when they are just opening. Zones 2 to 9
Toad Lily (Tricyrtis)
Here is another lovely plant with a less than desirable name. The speckled pink flowers look like orchids and rise above lovely foliage. New varieties include those with variegated foliage and a few even have yellow flowers. ‘Miyazaki’ and ‘Amethystina’ are nice varieties. Plant toad lilies in moist but well-drained soil in part to full shade. To bring the flowers in for arrangements, pick when buds show color and are just beginning to open. Zones 4 to 9
Japanese Anemone
Tall and stately, the anemones add pink or white flowers to the fall garden. An excellent selection is ‘Honorine Joubert’. This vigorous plant grows up to five feet and produces masses of single white flowers. ‘Max Vogel’ is another tall plant with single pink flowers. Where you need a shorter plant, look for ‘Prince Henry’. It only reaches two feet and had semi-double flowers that are rosy pink. Japanese anemones need well draining soil and shade. Cut the flowers as the buds open. Zones 5 to 8
Sedum (Stonecrop)
Sedum makes a great cutting garden plant. It requires minimal attention and is drought tolerant. ‘Autumn Joy’ is the traditional variety but newer varieties such as ‘Bertram Anderson, ‘Brilliant’ and ‘Matrona’ are excellent choices. Give sedum full sun and well drained soil and sit back and enjoy the show. Cut when most of the florets are open. Zones 3 to 9
Source: www.hobbyfarms.com
YOU ASKED. . .
How do I get rid of fungus or mold on the surface of the soil of my houseplants? I am not overwatering and am getting fungus gnats. I’ve put Mosquito Bits on the soil that I got at Klein’s. Any help would be appreciated. Jessica
Hi Jessica,
The mold on the soil can only be an indicator of moist soil. Soil molds can only exist when the soil surface is not allowed to dry out between waterings. That said, some plants like peace lilies, ferns and many others cannot be allowed to dry out between waterings. That complicates things. The better the potting mix you’ve chosen, the bigger issue molds can be. Heavier, organic soils are more prone to molds than well-draining bark based mixes. The mold spores can come along with the bag of soil mix…along with fungus gnat eggs BTW.
The soil molds are harmless to you and your plants. Most people just scrape it off the soil surface with every reoccurrence. I use my fingers, others use a plastic spoon or knife.
Fungus gnats are also an indicator of moist soil. The larvae feed on the biodegrading matter in the moist soil. Dry soils control fungus gnat populations. Again, the better soil mix you choose, the worse the problem can be.
The Mosquito Bits you purchased must be used with diligence per the package instructions. They are living bacteria that “feed” on the gnat larvae. Any lapse in applications and the gnats will get the upper hand again. Per the newer, updated instructions on the package, research has shown that applying it as a drench dissolved in water is more effective than applying the bits directly to the soil.
Thanks for your question,
DID YOU KNOW. . .
. . . that you can order plants directly from Monrovia Nursery online and then pick up your order at Klein’s upon arrival in the springtime?
How To Use Monrovia’s Order Online…
Step 1: Bring Nature Home
Whether you’re looking to add a special plant to beautify your garden, or hoping to be inspired by something unique and perfectly suited for your landscape, Monrovia has the widest selection of the highest quality plants online today. From trees, shrubs and vines to stunning flowering perennials, color-rich annuals or delicious edibles, their plants are grown beautifully to thrive, ready for you to enjoy in your landscape.
Step 2: Select Your Perfect Plant
Select from the list of more than 3,000 varieties. Shop by area, by category, and by your preferred sizes. They’ll ship only when your plant is ready. Because bloom times and other conditions vary, delivery may take up to 3 to 4 weeks in spring.
Pre-ordering during the fall and winter? No problem! Monrovia will care for your plants until spring and then ship them to you when they are in prime planting condition for your landscape.
Step 3: Choose Your Garden Center
Your plant will be shipped for free to Klein’s along with our Monrovia plant order. Monrovia delivers plants nationwide to hundreds of local garden centers. Find the one that’s perfect for you if you’re not in the Madison area.
Step 4: Pick Up Locally and Easily
You’ll be notified when the plants are on the truck headed to Klein’s. We will contact you when they arrive. Your plants will arrive specially packaged with your name clearly visible. Please note that Monrovia plants are grown at many locations nationwide and can show up anytime during May and into early June.
Step 5: Get Growing
When you take your plants home, you’ll find an information label that offers step-by-step planting instructions and information. Browse Monrovia’s blog for inspiring tips and design ideas.
Click on www.monrovia.com to start.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT—Each month we spotlight some product that we already carry or one that we’ve taken note of and plan to carry in the near future. Likewise, if you would like to see Klein’s to carry a product that we don’t currently, please let us know. Our goal is to be responsive to the marketplace and to our loyal clientele. If a product fits into our profile, we will make every effort to get it into our store. In addition, we may be able to special order an item for you, whether plant or hard good, given enough time.
Jiffy® “The Original”
A Growing Revolution
Back in the day, the Jiffy Pot made for a whole new way of nurturing plants. It rapidly captured the attention of growers worldwide. That was in the 1950s, when clay pots ruled the horticultural scene, but the Jiffy Pot’s advantages still make it unique today.
Plastic Free and Biodegradable
These days, many gardeners choose the Jiffy Pot because it’s plastic free and biodegradable. Made from all-natural materials, it breaks down naturally into the surrounding substrate. The Jiffy Pot is also light in weight, easy to handle, and helps plants thrive.
Protecting Seedlings from Transplant Shock
Best of all, the Jiffy Pot is ‘plantable’. That’s right – you simply place the seedling in its new location, Jiffy Pot and all. Be it a container, balcony planter or your garden, depotting is never needed with a Jiffy Pot. No more root damage or transplant shock.
More Tried and Tested Solutions
Many new, exciting growing concepts have been added to Jiffy’s portfolio over time. Professional plant growers are always eager to adopt our innovative and sustainable systems. And they are available to home gardeners too. Have you tried our compressed Jiffy-7 Pellet® – Pellets with its biodegradable netting? It offers the best start for tender young seedlings – ever since its launch in the 1970s.
High Quality, Low Environmental Impact
We introduced Jiffy coco products in the 1990s. With these, we turn coir, a waste product of the coconut palm, into stabilized, ready to use growing media. Like so many Jiffy products, they are high in quality, low in environmental impact.
A Greener Tomorrow
Today, Jiffy is a product leader in many green industries worldwide – horticulture, agriculture, forestry, nursery, landscaping, and home gardening. And we continue to innovate and introduce new products all the time. We are paving the way to a greener tomorrow.
Klein’s carries a wide array of Jiffy products perfect and easy for all of your seed starting needs including:
Jiffypots® and Jiffystrips® – organic planting pots in various shapes and sizes
100% organic, certified as an aid for organic horticulture.
Jiffy-7® – pot and ideal cultivating soil in one – for seeds and seedlings!
Fine netting is filled with high-quality peat and then compressed to form a handy pellet. Just add water, and the little planting wonder grows to up to seven times its size in a few moments. It is held together by fine netting, ensuring optimum air/water exchange. Also available in XXL, for larger plants.
Jiffy greenhouses
Practical and robust indoor greenhouses for window-sills or planting shelves. High-quality design made of strong plastic with adjustable vents; reusable.
Source: www.jiffypot.com/en.html
NOTES FROM MY GARDEN JOURNAL–Tips and Observations from My Own Garden by Rick Halbach
ENTRY: FEBRUARY 11, 2023 (Seed Buying Dos and Don’ts)
Nearly all of the seeds I’ve ordered from my various catalogs for this spring season have arrived and I spent much of the day sorting, organizing and dating the seed packets by sow date. Starting seeds indoors over the next two months is one of the many joys of gardening (especially during a winter like this one!). There are countless treasured annuals and cultivars of annuals available via catalog and and online sources that you’ll never find at garden centers for various reasons. After more than 30 years experience with indoor seed starting, I’ve learned (and enjoy sharing with especially new and young gardeners) the many dos and don’ts of growing my own flowers and vegetables firsthand.
Seed Catalog (and Online) Buying Dos and Don’ts
by Joe Lamp’l @ growingagreenerworld.com
Now that we have all those newly-delivered, luscious seed catalogs staring us in the face, what are we going to do with them? For many, the answer is nothing. They’re nice to look at but we never get around to buying anything. Then there is the other extreme.
Catalog-crazed purists, once hooked, find it preposterous to think of actually buying run of the mill seeds at a local garden center. Heaven forbid, those are always so ordinary!
For those who are buying seeds through the mail for the first time or for a lifetime, there are certain dos and don’ts that will make you a smarter shopper. Let’s start with the two most common mistakes gardeners make when catalog shopping:
Most common mistakes—
Overbuying: Even the veterans are guilty of this. It’s like going to the grocery store on an empty stomach or hitting the buffet line when you’re starving. When it comes to gardening, even the most disciplined can find themselves impulsive. Seed packs are pretty cheap, so hey, what the heck, right?
Wrong! Although seeds can be stored and saved, eventually they loose much of their viability. The best germination rate occurs on seeds that are packaged for the current year.
Buying without regard to appropriate conditions: Buying seeds (or plants) simply on the merits of their beauty and without regard to the appropriate zone or conditions is a common but avoidable mistake. It’s fun to experiment but no matter how good they look in the catalog, lilacs won’t thrive in the Deep South nor will blueberries prosper in non-acidic soil.
The photographs and artwork you see in catalog are as good as it gets. They’re grown under ideal conditions by professionals. In the garden of your mind, the seeds you plant will look just as good. But in reality, your true garden may have poor soil, pests, diseases and possibly shade. Take these issues into consideration and order seeds and plants that are appropriate for your growing conditions.
What you should do—
Plan ahead: In order to avoid the mistake of biting off more than you can chew, do a little advance planning. First, try to calculate how many plants you can realistically add to a given space.
Consider how much time you have to devote to planting and maintenance: Even if you have unlimited room, there’s still work to do in planting the seeds and subsequent care. Gardening should not be a burden or chore. Keep it manageable to fit your schedule and lifestyle.
Find reliable catalog companies: There are plenty of companies out there and seed quality can vary from one company to the next. In addition, freshness matters. Companies that offer bargain basement prices may be able to do so only because of inferior quality or stale seeds.
Consider making your first order small: If you are unsure as to a company’s reputation, start with a small order, you can always buy more later but don’t bet your entire garden’s success on an unknown company to supply the seeds.
Investigate shipping and handling costs: Some companies offer a minimal flat rate for shipping, while others base the rate on weight or by the size of your order.
Call before you buy if you’re unsure. Make sure ‘customer service’ is for real. If you do have questions before or after the sale or encounter problems with your order, a responsive service department with real people to talk to can resolve your problem and answer your questions.
Although this list is not exhaustive, it will give you some guidelines and remind you to look beyond the pretty pictures. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new varieties; just be realistic with what you’ll be able to do, before you spend your money.
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ENTRY: FEBRUARY 12, 2023 (The Best & the Brightest—at a Price)
The plant selection today from mail order companies that sell perennials is absolutely mind boggling. And the selection in some specific plant categories is equally hard to comprehend. Take a look at some catalogs and turn to the pages featuring hostas, heucheras, echinaceas, hellebores, daylilies, coreopsis, to name a few. Page after page is filled with brightly colored photographs of absolutely perfect plants in all colors of the rainbow and featuring all of the newest varieties. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find many of the old stalwarts that are the backbone of many of our older and established gardens. The catalogs give us the impression that all of these newest varieties are wonderful breeding breakthroughs whose supposed attributes far exceed those of the parent plants from which they were developed. As many of us know and have experienced, all is not as it seems in the land of Oz.
Most of the first perennials introduced into my gardens when I bought my house in the mid-80’s were the tried-and-true hand-me-downs from relatives, in-laws, neighbors and friends–nearly all of which persist to this day throughout the yard. I have beautiful swaths of Cambridge Scarlet bee balm, purple garden phlox, pink and purple tall asters, yellow loosestrife, roadside daylilies and milkweed, creeping buttercup, Virginia bluebells, goldenrod, liatris . . . the list goes on and on. Once the beds became established and I got bored with the same old plants, I became obsessed with collecting certain plants; first hostas, then daylilies, then astilbe, etc., etc. Luckily I had done my research via gardening books and chose varieties that had proven themselves through the generations–the must haves. During this period in the 1990’s I expanded the gardens extensively giving me more room to become increasingly experimental–incorporating new families of perennials unfamiliar to me as I was growing up, i.e. the grasses, heuchera, spiderwort, salvias, catmints, alliums, etc.
Then came the 21st century and everything seemed to change. Plants choices from competing companies exploded on the market–each needing to outdo the other. Every new introduction was touted as the biggest, the brightest and the best. For every success (Wave Petunias) there have been many disappointments. The trend continues as consumers continue to buy into the hype. I, too, have learned that some things are too good to be true or as great as the catalogs claim . . . Endless Summer hydrangea do not bloom endlessly, rabbits do devour hellebores, shasta daisies don’t live long here in Wisconsin, rudbeckia hirta is not a perennial and those brightly colored echinaceas in all the catalogs are inherently weak and short-lived when compared to their parent plants.
So today I received my Wayside Gardens catalog. It was this catalog’s arrival that got me thinking about perennials that haven’t lived up to their hype. The glossy surreal pictures are ever so enticing. There’s so much new and exciting plant material out there. While true, it’s oftentimes best to step back and take a look at the plants that have made our perennial beds as beautiful and dependable as they’ve become and wait for reliable feedback on the newest best plant. If it’s that good, it’ll hold the test of time.
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ENTRY: FEBRUARY 16, 2023 (Logee’s Plants…My Favorite Mail Order Company)
Today I mailed my nearly annual spring order to my very favorite plant mail order company, Logee’s Plants of Danielson, CT. In my 30+ years of gardening I’ve ordered far more plants from them (certainly dozens) than any other mail order company. Their specialties are “Fruiting, Rare & Tropical Plants” for both indoor and the patio. Plants suitable for container growing is a priority. Categories to choose from on their website include; Rare, Fragrant and Indestructible, along with an amazing selection of fruiting tropical plants (there are dozens of citrus choices alone), orchids and begonias. Other specialties include; desert rose (adenium), angel’s trumpets, hibiscus, orchid cactus, succulents and so much more. Selection changes seasonally and from year to year. Plants arrive perfectly packed and in almost always perfect condition. A few years back I had a few plants that never really perked up after shipping and they replaced them immediately free of charge. Logee’s is also a great resource for hard-to-answer questions. Prices are very reasonable and plants are shipped primarily in 2.5″-6″ pots and only when the weather is suitable. At Klein’s, I recommend Logee’s to customers at least a couple of times per week when they are looking for something unique and oftentimes hard to find at retail. Logee’s website is comprehensive and easy to navigate with oodles of plant care information.
For a real treat on a cold winter day, visit Logee’s website @ www.logees.com.
KLEIN’S RECIPES OF THE MONTH—These are a selection of relatively simple recipes chosen by our staff. New recipes appear monthly. Enjoy!!
2011 was the first year that Klein’s sold artichoke plants for Madison area gardeners and they continue to grow un popularity. The variety we carry (available in May) is ‘Imperial Star’, a reliable variety for us here in the north. The following bit of information comes to us from Mother Earth News @ www.motherearthnews.com.
Artichokes are an adventure for the palate, eyes and soul. Exotic additions to flower borders and vegetable gardens, their sheer size demands attention. The prettiest of pollinators flock to them. And steamed artichoke buds create convivial dinner parties, forcing all to slow down, taste, savor and converse. Until a few years ago, only gardeners along the Pacific Coast and in mild Mediterranean climates could grow artichokes. This gourmet, perennial vegetable did not tolerate temperatures below 20 degrees, grew best in foggy areas with cool days and nights, and demanded a long growing season.
But these rigid requirements changed when a new variety, `Imperial Star,’ became available in the late 1990s. An annual artichoke that is started from seed in early spring, it produces edible buds about 90 days after transplants are set out, much like tomatoes and peppers. Now anyone, anywhere, can have an artichoke patch for fresh eating or even canning.
Buttery, with a nutty flavor, artichoke hearts have long been regarded as elegant additions to salads, as topping for sautéed fish and as toothsome appetizers when dressed with vinegar, olive oil and herbs. The whole artichoke bud is best steamed and served with a dipping sauce of garlic-flavored, melted butter or mayonnaise. To eat it, grasp the pointed end of each petal of the bud and pull it off. Then dip the petal bottom in the sauce and rake it over your teeth to dislodge the meaty pulp at the base.
When most of the large petals have been consumed, cut away all remaining ones, and scoop out the hairy materials in the bud base to reveal the meaty artichoke heart. It can be cut into pieces and dipped into the remaining sauce. Eating an artichoke is almost a social event: time-consuming, but well worth the effort.
Here are some of Klein’s favorite artichoke recipes:
ARTICHOKE, SPINACH, WHITE BEAN DIP–This warm and oh-so-nummy dip made an appearance at many a Klein’s holiday party. It originally appeared in an issue of Cooking Light magazine.
1/4 cup grated parmesan
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. ground red pepper
2 cloves minced garlic
1 x 15 oz. can white beans (i.e. cannellini), drained and rinsed
1 x 14 oz. can chopped artichoke hearts (not marinated!)
1 x 10 oz. pkg. frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Preheat the oven to 350º. In a food processor, blend until smooth the parmesan, mayo, lemon juice, salt, pepper, red pepper, garlic and beans. Spoon into a bowl and stir in the artichokes and the spinach. Spoon the mixture into a 1 quart glass greased baking dish. Sprinkle with the mozzarella and bake 20 minutes or until bubbly and browning. Serve warm with crackers or pita chips. Serves 12.
ARTICHOKE CHEESE BREAD–From the pages of Everyday Food magazine, October, 2004.
1 x 10 oz. sourdough baguette
1 TBS. butter
1 clove minced garlic
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup shredded cheddar
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack
2 x 6.5 oz. marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 TBS. lemon juice
coarse salt and pepper
1/4 cup parmesan
Preheat the oven to 350º. Halve the baguette lengthwise and scoop out the centers with you fingers. Tear the bread into small pieces and set the shells aside. Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add the bread and garlic and cook until the bread is golden, stirring occasionally–about 5 minutes. Cool slightly. In a large bowl, mix together the bread, sour cream, cheddar, Monterey Jack, artichokes and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper and stir together. Spoon the mixture into the reserved shells and sprinkle with parmesan. Bake on a cookie sheet until the top is browned, about 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool 5 minutes and slice into serving size pieces. Serves 8.
ARTICHOKE SALAD–A delectable salad from Willy St. Co-op Reader.
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 TBS. fresh lemon juice
2 TBS. chopped fresh parsley
1 TBS. balsamic vinegar
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
salt and pepper to taste
2 x 14 oz. cans artichoke hearts, rinsed and quartered (not marinated)
1/2 cup sliced black olives
8 oz. quartered mushrooms
2 cups chopped sweet peppers (mix and match colors for a more colorful salad)
Combine the oil, juice, parsley, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper in a covered container and shake vigorously. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl. Pour on the dressing and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate 24 or more hours for best flavor. Place in a serving bowl about 30 minutes before serving bringing it to room temperature.
ARTICHOKE DIP WITH SPINACH AND PINE NUTS–A Klein’s favorite that has made an appearance at many family get-togethers and an oldie that appeared in the December 1997 issue of the Isthmus.
2 x 8 oz. pkgs. cream cheese, softened
8 oz. crumbled feta cheese
1 x 6.5 oz. jar marinated artichokes
1 tsp. chopped garlic
1 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 TBS. olive oil
1/3 cup frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/2 cup chopped black olives
pine nuts
In a processor, combine the cream cheese, feta, artichokes, garlic, pepper flakes and oil. Pulse until blended. Stir together in a bowl with the spinach and the olives. Spread the mixture into a broiler-safe serving dish and sprinkle with pine nuts. Broil, 3 or 4″ away from the heat, until golden and bubbly. Serve with crackers or pita chips.
PASTA SALAD WITH ARTICHOKES AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES–Another no-fail favorite from Bon Apetit magazine.
1 x 20 oz. pkg. three cheese tortellini
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. dried basil
1 clove pressed garlic
2 cups chopped celery
1 x 14 oz. can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped (not marinated)
3/4 cup green onions, chopped
1/2 cup drained, oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup parmesan
Cook the pasta according to package instructions and rinse in cold water. Drain. Whisk together the mayo, oil, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, basil and garlic until well blended. Transfer 3/4 cup dressing to a large bowl. Mix in the celery, artichokes, onions, tomatoes and olives. Next, stir in the pasta and the parmesan. Toss to blend. Add more dressing by the 1/4 cupfuls and season to taste. Makes 6-8 servings.
NATURAL NEWS–
The following interesting article by Sandy Cullen appeared in the Wisconsin State Journal (madison.com) a few years back.
Seeds with a Wisconsin Story
Two seed varieties created at UW-Madison decades ago (the Wisconsin 55 Tomato and Wisconsin Lakes Pepper) are still popular among home gardeners. Several other heirloom offerings have a connection to Wisconsin.
Many are among the 20,000 heirloom varieties included in the Heritage Farm Collection of Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa (www.seedsavers.org).
Other sources include Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds in Mansfield, Missouri (www.rareseeds.com) and J.W. Jung Seed Company (www.jungseed.com).
Many of these varieties can be found at local garden centers.
Tomatoes:
Amish Paste (available at Klein’s)—This plum tomato “found” among the Wisconsin Amish is actually an Amish selection of Governor Pennypacker, a circa 1907 tomato developed in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and never released commercially, according to heirloom seed expert William Woys Weaver, director of the Keystone Center for the Study of Regional Foods and Food Tourism. Seeds Savers describes the bright red, 8- to 12-ounce ox-heart to rounded fruit as juicy and meaty, excellent for sauce or fresh eating.
Greenbush Italian—This large red ox-heart was grown for years in Madison’s legendary Greenbush neighborhood. Great for sauce and canning, it’s a favorite for its high yields, flavor and beauty (available to members of Seed Savers through its Exchange).
Sheboygan—This high-yielding pink paste tomato in the Seed Savers collection was grown by Lithuanian immigrants in Sheboygan since the early 1900s and is good for canning.
Wisconsin 55 (available at Klein’s)—Bred by famed UW-Madison plant pathologist J.C. Walker in the 1940s, this all-purpose tomato is “remembered as one of the best home and market tomatoes” in the Madison area, according to Seed Savers.
Peppers:
Wisconsin Lakes—This early maturing sweet bell pepper in Seed Saver’s collection was developed in the 1960s by UW-Madison Professor O.B. Combs. The 4- to 6-ounce thick-walled fruits ripen from green to red.
Beaver Dam—This medium hot pepper in the Seed Savers collection was brought to Beaver Dam in 1912 by the Joe Hussli family.
Margaret’s—J.W. Jung Seed Company received seed for this sweet pepper from Margaret Gubin of Cambria, who maintained for more than 50 years the original seed brought by a family member from Hungary to the United States. The thick-walled fruits are about 7-inches inches long and go from green to orange to bright and then deep red.
Melon:
Pride of Wisconsin—According to Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, this melon was grown for Milwaukee markets in the 1920s. The large fruit “have soft, sweet, juicy orange flesh.”
MARCH’S PLANT OF THE MONTH:
CLIVIA
**Please note that due to slow growth and cost, clivias can be difficult to find at local garden centers and appear only seasonally at best. Klein’s currently has a nice selection of clivia in stock. Below is a detailed article about clivia culture from one of Klein’s staff members that appeared in a past newsletter**
“My two large and very old clivias are now in full bloom in winter storage at Klein’s. The huge orange blooms and large, strap-like leaves are very eye-catching. These very durable plants are extremely long lived and easy to care for. Most times they will outlive their owner.
I purchased my two clivias back in the early 1990’s. Back then, they were even harder to find than today. Only a handful of catalogs made clivias available and then at a very steep price. I purchased mine for about $70 each in a 6″ pot. Though they are still seldom found at garden centers, internet access has made them more readily available and at a more reasonable price. Plants (though usually small) are often found in the $25-$40 range. The flowers on this amaryllis relative are usually orange, but are available in yellow, peach and a few related shades. Varieties with variegated foliage are also available. Plants are very slow-growing and it can take years for plants to flower for the first time. Once the do, they’ll flower annually (usually during the winter) from that point forward. Flower heads can be up to an impressive 6″ across and are held on sturdy stalks. Plants flower best once the plants are completely root bound. Cool temperatures and dry conditions stimulate blooming.
I’m lucky to be able to force my clivias to bloom twice a year. I keep them outside in the garden as late as possible in the fall–once nighttime temps fall consistently into the 30’s, but above freezing. Then in mid-October I bring my plants to Klein’s for overwintering. The plants are way too big for my house. At the greenhouse, I keep them in the coolest location possible. Just after the holidays the first flowers appear and they’ll continue flowering into mid-March. The display can be spectacular.
In late April I take my plants back home and put them outside so long as the nighttime temps stay above freezing. On cold nights I’ll move them into the garage. The cool springtime temperatures stimulate another round of blooming in mid-June. The plants spend the summer in my shaded north side woodland garden nestled under pine trees amongst the hostas. In their native South Africa clivias are forest undergrowth plants and are, therefore, most happy in dense shade. Direct sunshine burns their wide leaves.
Clivias like to be kept very dry during the winter months for best blooming. Once plants become extremely root bound (after a decade or so) they can be easily divided, but they may not bloom again for a few years while rooting out into their new pots. Plants like to be fertilized regularly during the summer.
Reliable sources for clivia are found online at www.logees.com, www.whiteflowerfarm.com, and www.amazon.com.”
AROUND TOWN:
For neighborhood events or garden tours that you would like posted in our monthly newsletter, please contact Rick at (608) 244-5661 or rick@kleinsfloral.com. Please include all details, i.e. dates, locations, prices, brief description, etc. Events must be garden related and must take place in the Madison vicinity and we must receive your information by the first of the month in which the event takes place for it to appear in that month’s newsletter.
The Canopy Sessions at Olbrich Gardens
Held on the first Fridays of February, March, and April, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
In the Bolz Conservatory
Start your weekend with a live concert performed in one of Madison’s most unique venues. Explore the tropics, enjoy the warmth, and be entertained by some of the area’s most talented musicians.
$8 – General Admission
$5 – Child (Ages 6-12)
FREE – Ages 5 & under
- Purchase tickets in-advance online @ Order Tickets or at the door.
- Ticket revenue supports local musicians and Olbrich Gardens.
- A limited number of reduced fee tickets are available. To request a fee waiver, please contact Mike Gibson at mgibson2@cityofmadison.com or 608-243-0156
- This is a strolling concert. There are a limited number of benches in the Conservatory.
- Lobby doors open at 5:30 p.m., Conservatory doors open at 6 p.m.
- Face masks are required
- Bar service available in the Conservatory
The Canopy Sessions 2023 Schedule:
March 3:
Bear in the Forest + Tos Hopkins (Note: This Canopy Session is a double bill.)—Bear In The Forest (a.k.a. Alberto Kanost) hails from Milwaukee, WI, where he found passion in music performance and environmental education. BITF is an attempt to bring those passions together; to use music to reflect the beauty in nature, and remind people of the importance of staying connected to the natural world and their place in it.
Tos Hopkins began performing his original songs as a busker at his local farmers market in Madison. His music has been heavily influenced by places he has lived, such as traditional folk from England and Western Saraharn blues from NW Africa.
April 7:
Samba Novistas—Samba Novistas are a five piece band that plays a wide variety of Brazilian and Brazilian-influenced music including samba, pagode, bossa nova, samba-reggae, lambada, sertanejo, coco and forro, as well as originals and our own interpretation of Anglo tunes.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Seed Starting Class @ the Goodman South Madison Library
Saturday, March 4, 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Goodman South Madison Library Meeting Room 115
2222 S. Park St., Madison WI 53713
Starting garden plants from seed can be a rewarding activity. In this talk you will hear from a certified Master Gardener Volunteer from Dane Co. Extension who will give you a solid foundation for growing your own garden plants from seeds.
Included in this talk are tips on factors that make for successful seed starting. You will learn how to purchase seeds, and plant and care for them until they are ready to be planted outdoors. A planting demonstration will be included in the talk. You will leave this talk feeling confident in your abilities to start seeds right in your own home. Don’t forget to pick up seeds from Madison Public Library’s Seed Library to use after the program!
Space is limited for this event; registration is required. Please use the sign up link below or call (608) 266-6395 to register.
Register @ Register Here
Goodman South Madison Library
2222 S. Park St.
Madison, WI 53713
Madison, WI 53713
608-266-6395
Olbrich Garden’s Spring Flower Show Featuring ‘The Wonder of Seeds’
March 4 thru March 26
Daily from 10:00-4:00
In the Olbrich Atrium
As spring approaches, most people are ready to get away from the long winter. Breath in the fresh smells of spring at Olbrich Gardens’ annual spring flower show featuring The Wonder of Seeds. Olbrich’s Atrium will transform into a flowering paradise, celebrating everything seeds!
“A seed is sleepy. It lies there, tucked inside its flower, on its cone, or beneath the soil. Snug. Still”
Every seed has a story. Take an educational journey into the history, culture and significance behind different seeds. Seeds have their own intricate beauty that rivals and sometimes even surpasses the beauty of their flowers.
From tiny poppy seeds to giant coconut seeds, spikey poisonous castor beans to pods of fluffy milkweed, a remarkable variety will be highlighted in all their beauty and wonder.
Not only are they impressive in shape, size, color and texture, you will learn about different dispersal mechanisms. From wind and water to wildlife, even dehiscence (explosive dispersal!). It’s safe to say you will never look at a seed the same way again.
One-of-a-kind items are sourced through collaborations with local businesses and artists to construct truly unique and authentic displays. Very special thanks to our members, volunteers and community who donate items and purchase products we need from our registry.
If you are interested in donating, check out our Wishlist On Amazon! Thank you!
Admission: $8 for adults 13 & up, $5 for children 6-12, children 5 and under Olbrich Botanical Society members are free. Proceeds benefit Olbrich Gardens.
Olbrich Botanical Society Members are the first to glimpse the beauty of spring in this indoor exhibit of spring blooms from 8-10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 4. Be the first to see the Spring Flower Show during the Member Preview on Saturday, March 4!
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Walking in Leopold’s Footsteps @ the Arboretum
Sunday, March 5, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Walk
Learn where conservationist Aldo Leopold, the Arboretum’s first research director, conducted famous phenological research from 1935 to 1945 and helped establish restorations of Wisconsin ecosystems. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come seasonally prepared for weather and insects. Walks cancelled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. 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
Family Nature Walk @ the Arboretum
Sunday, March 5, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
This walk is a fun, fascinating way for families with children elementary age and younger to explore the natural world. Adults must attend. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. 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 Extension’s Green Thumb Gardening Spring Series
March 6 thru April 17, 6:00-8:00 on the dates listed below.
The evening classes are live on Zoom with UW experts who are available to answer questions during and after class. Visit https://dane.extension.wisc.edu/horticulture for further details. You can purchase the nine-class series for a package price or just purchase selected classes. Register @ Register Here
March 6: Wisconsin Spring Wildflowers
March 13: Tree Pruning and Tree Planting
March 21: Shrub Pruning
March 27: Wisconsin Butterflies and Creating a Butterfly-friendly Garden
April 3: Rain Gardens and Pollinator Gardens: Planning, Construction and Native Plants
April 10: Strawberries, Raspberries and Blueberries
April 17: Perennials for Sun and Shade
Classes are recorded for later viewing except for the vegetable disease class, but handouts of the talk will be available.
Please contact Lisa Johnson @ 608-224-3715 or johnson.lisa@countyofdane.com with questions or for more information.
Or visit: Isthmus Calendar of Gardening Events for this and many garden related events in the Madison area.
Dane County University of Wisconsin-Extension
5201 Fen Oak Dr, Suite 138
608/224-3700 or dane.uwex.edu
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Tuesday, March 7, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
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. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Sunday, March 12, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
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. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. 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
Healthy Houseplants @ Lakeview Library
Thursday, March 16, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Lakeview Library Community Room, 2845 N Sherman Ave., Madison, WI 53704
This talk is the consumer guide to buying, growing and enjoying healthy houseplants. You will leave this talk with guidelines for potting and repotting houseplants, watering them, identifying and controlling insects, and maintaining them so they thrive in your home. In addition, the certified Master Gardener Volunteer who gives this presentation will give you names and characteristics of plants that will thrive in the home environment.
Space is limited for this event; registration is required. Please use the sign up link below or call (608) 246-4547 to register. Registration opens on March 2 at 10 a.m., two weeks prior to program date.
Register @ Register Here
This program is supported by the Friends of Lakeview Library.
Lakeview Library
2845 N Sherman Ave
Madison, WI 53704
Madison, WI 53704
608-246-4547
Winter Enrichment Lecture @ the Arboretum
Injecting Ash Trees and Other Journeys in Governing, Stewarding, and Caring for Nature
Thursday, March 16, 9:00 am – 11:30 am
Adena Rissman, Professor, People Institutions and Ecosystems Lab, Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, UW–Madison. Fee: $10. Advance registration is required by March 12.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Phenology-Keeping Track of Nature @ the Arboretum
Saturday, March 18, 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Class
The March equinox is the perfect time to think about spring unfolding. Phenology—noting the periodic occurrences in the natural world—is both art and science, practiced for millennia across cultures and regions. Learn about different approaches and maybe find your own. Instructor: Kathy Miner, Arboretum naturalist. Indoor class. Fee: $20. Register by March 14 @ Register Here . 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 Wingra Oak Savanna @ the Arboretum
Sunday, March 19, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
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 prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at Arbor Dr. parking lot, off Monroe St.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Mud Season @ the Arboretum
Sunday, March 19, 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Family Nature Program
This program is a fun, fascinating way for families with children elementary age and younger to explore the natural world. Nature walk: 1:30–2:30 p.m., activities: 2:30–3:30 p.m. Adults must attend. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. 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
Spring Equinox @ the Arboretum
Monday, March 20, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Let your eyes adjust to the moonlight, listen to the night sounds, and experience the darkness on this naturalist-led walk. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free. Register by March 15: https://arboretum-spring-equinox-night-walk-2023.eventbrite.com. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Garden Stroll @ the Arboretum
Sunday, March 26, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
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
Sky Dance @ the Arboretum
Saturday, April 1, 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Night Walk
Listen for frogs and other night animals, like woodcocks. We can’t guarantee that wildlife will appear, but if they do, we may see the woodcock’s fascinating mating ritual known as “sky dance.” Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free. Registration required by March 28: https://arboretum-sky-dance-night-walk-2023.eventbrite.com. 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, April 2, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
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. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. 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
Family Nature Walk @ the Arboretum
Sunday, April 2, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
This walk is a fun, fascinating way for families with children elementary age and younger to explore the natural world. Adults must attend. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. 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 Late Winter Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, January 7 thru April 8, 8:00-noon
The Garver Feed Mill behind Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3241 Garver Green (access off Fair Oaks Ave.)
The Late Winter Market runs each Saturday from January 7th until the beginning of the outdoor season. Get your market fix all year long. You will still find many of your favorite Dane County Farmers’ Market members, as well as a full array of fruits and vegetables, cheeses, hyper-local meats, honey, bakery items, and many specialty items.
For details visit www.dcfm.org
MARCH IN THE GARDEN–A checklist of things to do this month.
___Pinch back over wintered geraniums one last time. Root cuttings if needed.
___Check perennials for heaving during warm spells. Re-mulch as needed.
___Check for early spring bloomers like crocus, winter aconite & hellebores.
___Begin uncovering roses by month’s end.
___Continue bringing out your cooled forced bulbs for indoor enjoyment.
___Inspect stored summer bulbs like dahlias, cannas and glads for rotting.
___Check for and treat for pests on plants brought in from the garden.
___Keep bird feeders full. Clean periodically with soap and water.
___Keep birdbaths full and clean for the return of the first robins & other arrivals.
___Repair and clean out birdhouses. Early arrivals will be here soon!
___Inventory last year’s leftover seeds before ordering or buying new ones.
___Seed starting is in full swing: petunias, tomatoes, peppers and cole crops.
___Sterilize seed starting equipment and pots with a 1:16 bleach solution.
___Shop for summer bulbs like gladiolas, lilies and dahlias.
___Remove mulch & rodent protection (chicken wire) from tulip and crocus beds
___Use the winter days to plan next summer’s garden.
___March is the month to prune most fruit trees and apply dormant oil.
___Prune late summer and fall blooming shrubs.
___Do not prune spring blooming shrubs like lilacs, forsythia or viburnum.
___Begin bringing in branches for forcing: pussy willow, forsythia, quince, etc.
___As the days lengthen and new growth occurs, increase fertilizing houseplants
___Check your garden for any plant damage from weather or rodents.
___Ready the lawn mower—just a few weeks to go.
___Visit Klein’s—the showrooms are filling up with spring annuals. Pansies, violas, calendula, cole crops & onion sets become available by month’s end.
Some of our very favorite seed and plant sources include:
For seeds:
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds @ www.rareseeds.com or 417/924-8887
Burpee @ www.burpee.com or 800/888-1447
Harris Seeds @ www.harrisseeds.com or 800/514-4441
Johnny’s Select Seeds @ www.johnnyseeds.com or 207/861-3901
Jung’s Seeds @ www.jungseed.com or 800/247-5864
Park’s Seeds @ www.parkseed.com or 800/845-3369
Pinetree @ www.superseeds.com or 207/926-3400
Seeds of Change @ www.seedsofchange.com or 888/762-7333
Seed Savers @ www.seedsavers.org or 563/382-5990
Select Seeds @ www.selectseeds.com or 800/684-0395
Territorial Seeds @ www.territorialseed.com or 888/657-3131
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
A Seed Starting Primer from Select Seeds:
What You Need to Start for Indoor Sowing
Media: Soil-less seed germinating mix is formulated with finely milled sphagnum peat, vermiculite or perlite, free of weeds or pathogens. If the mixture is dry, add some warm water and mix in; let it sit for a few hours to absorb the moisture. The mix should be fine textured and lightly moist.
Container: Clean pots are essential, so be sure to wash any reused plastic pots in soapy water that has a splash of bleach in it. Good drainage is essential! Shallow pots with holes in the bottom, such as the common 6-pack, are ideal. When filling, do not pack the growing medium into the pot, as this will decrease space for air, water, and root growth. Instead, tap the sides or bottom of the container to get the mixture to settle. Leave about 1/2″ of space to the top of the container.
Bright Artificial Light: A fixture outfitted with led lights or even two cool fluorescent bulbs is bright enough for growing good stocky seedlings.
How to Sow Your Seeds Indoors
When to Sow: Find your last spring frost date with this easy zip code frost date lookup. Count backwards from that date to find the best sow times for the seeds, organizing them in groups by sow date. Most annual flower seeds need 6-8 weeks, while some need 9-12 weeks indoors.
Spacing: Generally, space the seeds about four seed-widths apart from each other. Tiny seeds: 4–6 seeds per cell in a 6-pack container. Medium to Large seeds: 2–3 seeds per cell in a 6-pack or 4-pack.
Depth: Check each packet for sowing depth. Some seeds may need direct light or darkness to germinate. Seeds that require light to germinate will be indicated on packet as “Surface sow.” This means they should not be covered, just pressed lightly into the media and sprinkled with a dusting of fine vermiculite. A few varieties require darkness and should be covered by a sheet of black construction paper until germination.
Cold Stratification: Some varieties may need a period of cold temperatures to break dormancy. Sow in moistened flats with covers or place the seeds between moistened paper towels in sealed plastic bags and refrigerate. If stratifying indoors, do not allow the seeds to dry out or freeze. Follow the packet instructions for temperature and duration. More info on outdoor winter sowing coming soon!
Water: Water in with a gentle spray or mist and create a humid environment by covering flats with a clear lid or dome.
Temperature: A room temperature of 65–75°F is suitable for most varieties. Check the individual packet for temperature needs. Heat mats with a thermostat can raise the temperature of the soil to the desired level in a colder room.
Growing Healthy Seedlings
Remove the Dome: Seedlings need air circulation to stay healthy.
Temperature: For most varieties, lower the daytime temperatures by 10°F to 55–65°F. Check the packet for specific temperature information.
Place Under Bright Light: After your seeds germinate, keep them very close to the lights (about 2–4″ away) keeping the lights on for 16–18 hours a day. Close attention to watering is needed to be sure that seedlings do not dry out.
Water: Water from the bottom to promote deep rooting and prevent the sudden collapse of your seedlings, called damping off, which is associated with surface dampness. Place containers in a tray of water and allow the medium to soak up moisture; as soon as the top has darkened a bit, remove from the water and allow
excess water to drain. Overhead watering is better tolerated as seedlings grow larger.
Fertilizer: Use half strength fertilizer or organic formulations for seedlings every two weeks as over fertilization can cause weak, leggy plants.
Thin Crowded Seedlings: Thickly sown seeds will need thinning with tweezers as soon as they come up. Leave 2–4 plants per cell, depending on seedling size.
Time to Transplant
Potting Up: Wait until seedlings have at least two true leaves. Transplant to slightly larger, individual containers. Handle seedlings carefully, gently pulling by leaves not stems. Potting up to a container that is too big will result in the excess growing media retaining too much moisture, leading to root rot.
Hardening Off: Once your seedlings have filled in their roomier quarters with a healthy root system, it is time to get ready to plant outdoors. Begin hardening seedlings off on a partly to mostly cloudy day by exposing them to outdoor conditions including sunlight, cooler/warmer temperatures, and wind, for a couple of hours at a time over the course of several days, gradually working up to all day and overnight
Planting Out: Transplant into well-prepared, raked soil on a cloudy day—misty weather is ideal. Firm in lightly and water immediately.
Visit Select Seeds website @ www.selectseeds.com to see their online catalog or to order their free print catalog.
BEHIND THE SCENES AT KLEIN’S—This is a sneak peek of what is going on each month behind the scenes in our greenhouses. Many people are unaware that our facility operates year round or that we have 10 more greenhouses on the property in addition to the 6 open for retail. At any given moment we already have a jump on the upcoming season–be it poinsettias in July, geraniums in December or fall mums in May.
IN MARCH:
—Transplanting is in full swing on the transplanting line in our back greenhouses.
Employees work 8-10 hour shifts planting thousands of plugs and tiny seedlings into the cell packs you purchase in the spring. Once planted, the flats move by conveyor and then monorail into the various greenhouses, all kept at different temperatures depending on the plant.
—The greenhouses and showrooms are filling fast with thousands of hanging
and potted plants. We’re constantly moving product around, trying to make the best use of space.
—By the end of the month we’re moving product outside into hoop houses. We move product that is very cold tolerant, such as pansies, dianthus, dusty miller, alyssum and even petunias. The cold keeps them compact and pest free and hardens them off for the transition outside. We also need the room in our ever-filling greenhouses.
—Perennial plugs and bare roots arrive and are stepped up into 3 1/2″, quart and gallon sizes. Our perennials are grown quite cold so they invest their energy into rooting out, rather than growing. Plants remain compact. Any remaining perennials from last season are moved outdoors from an unheated greenhouse.
—Geraniums are pinched and shaped for the last time by the first week of the
month. Any later pinching will delay blooming too much for spring sales.
—Retail items are arriving nonstop for unpacking and pricing, everything from
garden ornaments and pottery to pesticides and fertilizers.
PERMANENT FEATURES–
KLEIN’S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Have our monthly newsletter e-mailed to you automatically by signing up on the right side of our home page. We’ll offer monthly tips, greenhouse news and tidbits, specials and recipes. . .everything you need to know from your favorite Madison greenhouse. And tell your friends. It’s easy to do.
THE MAD GARDENER–“Madison’s Firsthand Source for Expert Gardening Advice”
Ask us your gardening questions by e-mailing us at madgardener@kleinsfloral.com. Klein’s in-house Mad Gardener will e-mail you with an answer as promptly as we can. The link is posted on our home page and in all newsletters.
We can only answer those questions pertaining to gardening in Southern Wisconsin and we reserve the right to leave correspondence unanswered at our discretion. Please allow 2-3 days for a response.
TO WRITE A REVIEW OF KLEIN’S, PLEASE LINK TO
FACEBOOK
Follow Klein’s on Facebook where we post updates and photos on a regular basis.
TWITTER
Join Klein’s on Twitter where we post company updates and photos on a regular basis.
SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT
We offer a 5% 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
Purchasing—Megan Johnson Megan@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