‘THE SAGE’-Klein’s Online Newsletter—JULY 2023
Klein’s Floral & Greenhouses
3758 E. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
608/244-5661 or info@kleinsfloral.com
THIS MONTH’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Klein’s Supports Olbrich’s 2023 Home Garden Tour, July 7 & 8
Ladies’ Night @ Klein’s Is Thursday, July 13
Our ‘Mad Gardener‘ and ‘Houseplant Help‘ Are Ready for Your Questions
We Reuse Your Teal-colored 5″ Klein’s Pots
Homemade Floral Preservatives for Cut Flowers
Garden Watering Tips for Our Ongoing Drought
Using Organic Fungicides
Klein’s Favorite Seed, Bulb & Plant Sources
You Asked about Repotting a Cactus
Plant of the Month: Verbena bonariensis
Klein’s Favorite Cucumber Recipes
Product Spotlight: Beneficial Insects and Nematodes from Organic Control, Inc.
Notes from Rick’s Garden Journal—From June 2023
—Favorite Tulips for Indoor Forcing
—A Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease
—That Roadside Weed with the Pretty Sky Blue Flowers
July in the Garden: A Planner
Gardening Events Around Town
Join Us on Twitter
Follow Us on Facebook
CURRENTLY ON SALE @ KLEIN’S
July 4 Flash Sale! …Now Through July 4 Only!!
$10.00 Annual/Veggie Flats. Sale includes all annuals and vegetables sold in cell packs (regardless of pack size). Individually potted plants cannot be added to the flat. Pack sizes and plants can be mixed and matched. Sale applies to full flats only (a max of 12 packs/flat) and must fit within the tray.
Also Now on Sale and While Supplies Last:
Buy One, Get One Free All Annuals/Veggies in Plantable/Fiber Pots
25% Off Garden Spinners and Decorative Garden Stakes
25% Off All Hummingbird Feeders
25% Off Annual Hanging Baskets and Annual Flower Pouches (Houseplants are not included.)
25% Off Tropicals (Houseplants are not included.)
25% Off All 6″ Annuals
25% Off Potted Caladiums
25% Off Beneficial Insects and Nematodes
50% Off All Remaining Summer Bulbs and Bare Root Fruits and Vegetables
50% Off All Remaining Seeds
KLEIN’S IS A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THE 2023 OLBRICH HOME GARDEN TOUR being held Friday, July 7 and Saturday, July 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $13 for Olbrich members and $15 for the general public, $6 for children ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and under.
Olbrich’s 2023 Home Garden Tour features Six Garden Sanctuaries in Shorewood Hills
Olbrich Botanical Gardens presents six garden sanctuaries in the wooded Village of Shorewood Hills. Rooted in a long history of sustainable practices, the Village and its residents value green initiatives, prioritizing the future well-being of their neighborhood, Lake Mendota, and the greater City of Madison & beyond. Many gardens incorporate hardy native plants, focus on pollinator friendly flowers, and offer bird habitats.
Advance tickets available for purchase at Olbrich’s lobby thru July 6.
Tour day ticket sales July 7 & 8 @ UW Credit Union, 3500 University Ave (west side of parking lot off Highbury Road)
Know Before You Go
- Featured gardens can be viewed in any order; tour-goers do not need to start at #1
- Tour-goers must carry their ticket to each garden site for check-in
- Be sure to utilize the Home Garden Tour App (scan the QR code on ticket) to learn more about the garden stories, native plant highlights, and Shorewood Hills’ sustainability efforts
- Tour-goers are strongly encouraged to park once and walk or bike the tour to avoid parking congestion on the narrow neighborhood streets of Shorewood Hills
- Check for road construction updates for University Ave before attending the tour
Visit www.olbrich.org for more information.
LADIES’ NIGHT @ KLEIN’S
Join us for our annual Ladies’ Night! We will announce specials for the evening closer to the date @ https://www.facebook.com/events/6560877783924868 . This year we have the following vendors signed up to attend:
- Lake Country Growers…Over here it’s all about Farming & Family! Embrace the new wave of the hemp industry with expert insights and crafted products.
- Glam Nails…Becky is an independent Color Street nail stylist! She absolutely loves working with Color Street & loves sharing these 100% nail polish strips with you!
- Heart of the Sky Fair Trade, based out of Spring Green, Wisconsin, specializes in ethically sourced accessories, kitchen and home goods, and baskets from artisan collectives and family businesses in Guatemala and Ghana. www.HeartOfTheSkyFairTrade.com
- Wink Wednesday earrings are handmade in Madison, Wisconsin, using vegan leather, wood, cork, and metal. All hardware is hypoallergenic. Add a little pizzazz to your look with a pair of Wink Wednesdays!
- Marie-Claire Decker sublimination designs primarily tumblers, water bottles and mugs
- House of Color
- Moon & Stars Fused Glass
- L’bri Pure n Natural
- Boja Salon
- Seint
Door Prizes & More…
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.
FOR NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS OR GARDEN TOURS that you would like posted on our web site or in our monthly newsletters, please contact Rick at (608) 244-5661 or rick@kleinsfloral.com. Please include all details, i.e. dates, locations, prices, brief description, etc. Events must be garden related and must take place in the Madison area.
WE STERILIZE AND REUSE YOUR TEAL-COLORED 5″ KLEIN’S POTS
Due to costs, we are unable to reuse most plastic pots and trays and never those from other retailers. But we are happy to take back and reuse the teal-colored 5″ Klein’s pots and their accompanying trays. Simply bring in your cleaned out pots and trays and drop them off with the associates at the checkout counters or in the bin along the building. We ask that you recycle or dispose of all other pots, containers and trays in compliance with your municipality’s guidelines. We do not reuse the plant identification tags.
Madison is currently NOT accepting rigid plastics (flower pots and trays) for recycling due to import restrictions enacted by China for scrap material. At present, there is no end market to accept the type of plastic scrap the mixed rigid plastic program produces. Until further notice, rigid plastics are to be placed in the refuse bins for disposal.
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.
JULY STORE HOURS:
Monday thru Friday : 9:00-6:00
Saturday: 9:00-5:00
Sunday: 10:00-4:00
Open Tuesday, July 4: 10:00-4:00
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
Throughout July, visit Klein’s and check out our specials on annuals, vegetables, hanging baskets and containers. Specials and selection change weekly so check our home page @ www.kleinsfloral.com or our social media sites (Click on the links at the top of our homepage). We pride ourselves in having the best cared for plants in even the hottest weather and throughout the month we’ll continue to offer a full selection of annuals, perennials and shrubs.
July 3–Full Moon
July 4–Independence Day. Special Store Hours: 10:00-4:00. Check out special savings on select items. Selection is excellent and quality remains top notch. Visit our website for current specials. Make Klein’s your first stop en route to any Fourth of July celebration you might have.
July 7 & 8—Olbrich Garden’s 2023 Home Garden Tour. See above for details or visit www.olbrich.org for more information.
July 9—Garden Tool Sharpening @ Klein’s with Moleta Artisanal Sharpening. Bring your garden tools to be sharpened. Take home the same day, or stop back into Klein’s to pick up at a later date. Prices can be found on their website: https://www.moletausa.com/price-list
July 13–Ladies’ Night @ Klein’s. Join us 4-7:00 pm for our annual Ladies Night. For details visit: Klein’s Ladies’ Night
July 19–Islamic New Year
‘THE FLOWER SHOPPE’:
With our home gardens currently bursting with color, harvesting our own fresh cut flowers is among the greatest rewards of gardening. Fresh, vased arrangements bring a home to life.
Keeping them fresh for more than a few days can be a challenge when not properly cut or conditioned. For best results, collect cut flowers in the morning when their stems are fully turgid and place them immediately into a bucket or container of tepid water as they’re being cut.
When arranging them in a vase, adding a preservative to the water is crucial to extend shelf life. Packets of granular floral preservative are available in Klein’s floral department for a nominal fee. However, homemade preservatives work just as well and can be made from ingredients found in nearly every kitchen or pantry.
The following homemade preservative recipes are usable for most cut flowers.
Homemade Preservative #1
2 cups lemon-lime carbonated beverage
2 cups water
1 /2 teaspoon household chlorine bleach
Homemade Preservative #2
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon household chlorine bleach
mix with 1 quart water
Homemade Preservative #3
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon household chlorine bleach
mix with 1 quart water
YOU ASKED. . .
I have a cactus that is approximately 25-30 years old. I am thinking it would be a good idea to repot it as it feels a little top-heavy in its current vessel. I was given your email address to reach out to see if I could get any help or if I could schedule a time to bring it in and have it repotted? Pam
Hi Pam,
Yes, we can repot that for you and you need no appt. Simply pick out a pot, leave your cactus with your name and phone number and give us a few days (or more seeing as it’s summer and our people are off a bit more). As for the pot, a simple clay pot of the appropriate size is best. A squat pot is the preferred choice to prevent top-heaviness in the future. Cactus like a tight pot so though it seems counter-intuitive, just a size or two more is best and that will last for many, many years.
Thanks for your question,
DID YOU KNOW. . .
. . . that your garden requires 1″ of rain (or an equivalent amount of water) per week to thrive?
With Southern Wisconsin under unprecedented early-season drought conditions, proper watering is crucial for many plants to perform well (if at all). Looking ahead to the next few weeks, conditions are expected to worsen as we move into mid-summer and higher temperatures.
Garden Watering Tips
Adequate moisture is an integral part of successful gardening. Established gardens generally need an inch of water a week, according to University of Illinois Extension. Thorough watering encourages deeper rooting, which is beneficial to plants because strong root systems reach more soil water and nutrients. A light daily watering actually does more harm than good. Many areas restrict lawn and garden water consumption, so it’s wise to know garden watering tips.
Monitor Garden Needs
Know the watering needs of your garden. Young seedlings and newly seeded lawns will be more susceptible to drought than well-established lawns and gardens. Maturing vegetables or fruits need plenty of water to produce yields. Pay attention to growth stages and to the particular water needs of individual plants. For instance, watermelons need more watering than green beans. Time of year and site of planting both impact water needs. One area of a garden may require more water than another for success. Use of mulches and soil amendment with organic composts go a long way in water conservation.
Additional daily waterings are, of course, required as needed, especially during hot and windy weather. In addition, certain plants and beds near mature trees will require extra watering. Pines and maple trees are notorious for sucking huge amounts of water from the soil around them.
Evaluate Watering Devices
Decide which method of watering is best for a particular garden. A small container garden on a deck may only require a watering can, but that method is too laborious for a substantial garden. A hose with an adjustable spray nozzle is an option, but this, too, is time-consuming. Water sprinklers with oscillating heads are useful and can be moved around the garden where water is needed. These can be wasteful, however, as it’s difficult to be sure all areas receive the right amount of moisture. On the other hand, it’s easy to determine the needed 1″ of rain when using a sprinkler by simply placing a rain gauge in the garden until the 1″ level is reached. Lawn watering is particularly difficult with oscillating lawn sprinklers. A lot of the water is lost to evaporation, and it’s often difficult to reach all areas. Drip irrigation is the most efficient method and is easy to install. Drip irrigation supplies water directly where garden plants need water the most—to the root system.
Water Early
Water garden plants early in the day, especially in the heat of summer, so plants are well-hydrated before wilting under a scorching sun. Afternoon watering is acceptable, but avoid watering too late in the day when water will stay on plants for long periods. Extended moisture on plants encourages disease pathogens.
Source: www.gardenguides.com
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.
Beneficial Insects and Nematodes from Organic Control, Inc.
“We’re dedicated to helping you control garden pests using nature’s own army of beneficial organisms. Today your garden and every garden can be a Victory Garden!”
From the Organic Control website @ organiccontrol.com
We believe it’s time to think differently…pro-actively protecting our plants in advance, instead of reacting to pests with a toxic spray. It’s time to improve the way we ALL manage whatever piece of the earth we have been given and it’s time to heal our planet. We can no longer say that we’re sustainably-minded because we’ve past the point of sustainability. It’s time for us to regenerate the soil and the land that supports us. At Organic Control we are regenerative minded and environmentally conscious in all we do.
Now Available at Klein’s and Currently 25% Off while supplies last!
LADYBUGS (Hippodamia convergens)
Use: Ladybugs prefer to eat aphids and will devour up to 50 a day, but they will also attack scale, mealy bugs, boil worms, leafhopper, and corn ear worm. They dine only on insects and do not harm vegetation in any way.
Release: Ladybugs should always be released after sundown since they only fly in the daytime. During the night, they will search the area for food and stay as long as there is food for them to eat. The more they eat the more eggs they lay and the more insect eating larvae you will have. It is best if the area has been recently watered. Ladybugs tend to crawl up and toward light. So release them in small groups at the base of plants and shrubs that have aphids or other insects, and in the lower part of trees.
Recommendations: Ladybugs may be kept in the refrigerator after they are received (35-50 degrees F.) and released as needed. Ladybugs may be stored 2 to 3 months.
Life Cycle: Ladybugs mate in the spring and lay yellow eggs in clusters of 10 to 50 on the underside of leaves. About five days later the larvae emerge and will eat about 400 aphids during their 2.5 week cycle. The larvae look like tiny black caterpillars with orange spots but do not eat vegetation.
The larvae then pupate and emerge from their cocoon as adults after about a week. They begin feeding on aphids, other insects, and pollen to build up their body fat. In the summer and fall the Ladybugs migrate into the mountains and during the winter they lie dormant under the snow. In the early spring they fly back down to the lowlands to resume searching for food in earnest. They begin mating, lay eggs, and die.
GREEN LACEWINGS (Chrysoperla carnea)
Life Cycle: Lacewing adults are 1/2 to 3/4 inches long. They have transparent, pale green wings and bright metallic gold eyes (they are also known as “Golden Eyes”). They have a characteristic fluttering flight, and sometimes rise from the plants when disturbed, especially at twilight. Adult Lacewings are not themselves predaceous, but feed on honeydew, nectar and pollen. They lay tiny pale green eggs on hair like stalks attached to the underside of leaves or on bark of trees. In several days the Lacewing larvae hatch from these eggs.
The larvae, which are active searchers, will immediately begin moving over the plant in search of food. These larvae are grayish-brown in color, and 3/8 inch long, and have pincher-shaped jaws which they use to seize their prey and suck the juices from its body. Because they are such voracious aphid eaters (consuming as many as 1,000 aphids each per day), they are called “Aphid Lions”. They also devour a great variety of citrus mealbugs, and cottony-cushion scale.
Maturing after two to three weeks, the Lacewing larvae spin a small cocoon of silken thread. The adult Lacewing emerges five days later by neatly cutting a round, hinged lid at the top of the cocoon. The cycle then repeats itself.
The life cycle of Lacewings is directly influenced by climatic conditions. Under summer conditions a complete life cycle can occur within a month, thus many generations can occur each year. Lacewings over winter as adults, but with difficulty; they should be recolonized each spring.
Release: Sprinkle them around your plants. If you are putting them in trees, you can place small amounts in paper drinking cups and staple them to the leaves. The Lacewing will crawl out and up into the tree or plant. The larvae will feed for about 3 weeks, then they will roll up into a little white pupae and emerge as an adult in about 1 week ready to lay eggs! When looking for the newly hatched lacewing larvae, remember that they are quite small, about the size of the pale green or gray egg from which they came, so you may have difficulty seeing them.
PRAYING MANTIDS (Tenodera sinensis)
Life Cycle: Praying Mantids hatch out of their egg case (ootheca) along the seam that looks like louvered windows with some mud packed on top. They hatch in the spring when the weather warms, the warmer the temperature, the sooner they hatch. Unlike most insects the mantids do not hatch as larvae, they emerge as miniature adults, about half an inch long. They will grow through spring and summer until they reach a length of 5 to 6 inches, shedding their skins several times.
Although mantids have wings, they do not use them until fall when the female wings develop and she begins flying around looking for males to mate with. After mating, she eats the head off the male, which helps to nourish her eggs. She then attaches the brown foam to a branch, lays her eggs inside, and dies shortly afterward, The eggs are protected from the winter cold in the foam and the cycle begins again in the spring.
General Information: When the eggs hatch the egg case does not change in appearance except for what looks like a little sawdust hanging from the seam. Since the Mantids do not move much and blend easily with their surroundings, it is easy to miss the hatching. While most insects are constantly searching for food, Mantids are content to stay in one area and wait for their food to walk by and grab it with their strong forelegs. This is why they are good to use early in the season, before there are pest problems, and use other insects after pests arrive.
Praying Mantids eat a wide variety of garden pests. In their younger stages they eat aphids, thrips, flies and maggots, small caterpillars, leafhoppers, white grubs and other soft-bodied insects. Mature Mantids feed on larger caterpillars, earwigs, chinch bugs, sow bugs, beetles, grasshoppers and other large insects.
Release: You can keep the egg cases in the cup, set them on a window ledge or in the patio until they hatch. As soon as you see tiny praying mantids emerge remove the lid and sprinkle the mantids around your garden. Or put the egg case in a bush, hedge, limb or anything more than two feet above ground. The egg case may be inserted in the fork of a branch or hung with a piece of string or needle and thread rum through the outside of the case. Hanging will help keep birds and rodents from eating the eggs in the case. If ants are in the area, oiling the string will help keep them away.
Beneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae) are microscopic in size and cannot be seen with the naked eye. They attack more than 230 kinds of soil dwelling and wood boring pests, such as flea larvae, white grubs, cutworms, corn root worms, strawberry weevils, gypsy moth larvae, cabbage root maggots, fungus gnat larvae, and many more before they emerge from the ground in their more destructive adult stages.
RELEASE: Beneficial Nematodes may be released by spraying with water, mixing with mulch and applying directly to the soil or potting mix, or injecting into burrows. They may be used any time of year, as long as the ground is not frozen. Do not release in direct sunlight, as this will kill them. See directions for details.
COVERAGE: Our container of 7 million live Beneficial Nematodes will cover up to 2,000 square feet, but faster results are obtained with higher concentrations.
Beneficial Nematodes hunt down, penetrate, and kill most soil dwelling pests. They will remain effective for about 2 years, but annual applications are recommended. They will also attack over wintering adult insects, pupae, diapausing larvae, and grubs when they are in the soil, bark, or even ground litter. They do not affect humans, animals, or plants. They are completely compatible with beneficial insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, and praying mantids and do not harm earthworms.
NOTES FROM MY GARDEN JOURNAL–Tips and Observations from My Own Garden by Rick Halbach
ENTRY: JUNE 10, 2023 (Favorite Tulips for Indoor Forcing)
Just this morning I mailed out my personal spring bulb orders to John Scheepers and McClure & Zimmerman—two of my favorite bulb companies for both price and selection. The spring bulbs I ordered this morning will arrive in late September for October planting. Along with the tulips, alliums, daffodils, etc. that I add to my garden each year, I ordered my amaryllis, hyacinths and tulips for indoor forcing and flowers throughout the cold, dreary winter months. Tulips are among my favorite bulbs to force. I usually have tulips blooming on my kitchen windowsill continuously from February through April when they then begin blooming throughout the gardens. After nearly four decades of forcing tulips, I’ve learned that some tulip types force better than others and even within the various tulip classifications I have my favorites. Over the past decade I’ve pretty much stuck to my six favorites. These six varieties remain relatively short and, therefore, less floppy. They give me a wide range of bright blooms and a couple have the added bonus of being very fragrant.
I plant 5 bulbs to a six inch pot in mid-October with their growing tips just at the soil line. I water them well and stack them in the basement refrigerator where they’ll remain until mid-January; watering them as needed through the winter months. After their cold treatment, I bring them out one at a time at about two week intervals for continuous bloom. I place them on a bright windowsill and watch them do their thing. Once bloomed, I throw the bulbs in the trash because they won’t bloom again in the garden once forced indoors.
My all time favorite tulips for forcing include:
Aafke-This 1993 hybrid is iridescent lilac-rose with petal edges that gradually feather to pale phlox-pink, almost white.
Bastogne-One of the most superb of all dark red Tulips, lightly fragrant Bastogne is blood-red with cardinal-red flames and plum anthers.
Christmas Dream-A four-time award-winner, the inside of this luminous tulip is light carmine-rose with a white base while the outside is a glowing fuchsia-red.
Flair-A blazing ruby-red with incredibly bright primrose-yellow edges that are variably feathered crimson for a radiance that is hard to imagine.
Keizerskroon-Named the “Emperor’s Crown” this 1750 heirloom is bright scarlet edged in vivid yellow with a lovely scent.
Princess Irene-An exotic blend of soft orange, flushed warm purple, this 1949 award-winner is absolutely breathtaking and quite fragrant.
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ENTRY: JUNE 14, 2023 (A Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease)
While working in the garden this morning, I was distracted and annoyed by a loud and pesky baby bird in a nearby arborvitae that was incessantly squawking at its mother to be fed. The mother cardinal couldn’t seem to pacify her demanding baby. She’d fly to one of my bird feeders, nab a safflower seed and as quickly as she possibly could return to her demanding infant. The young bird was almost on top of her trying to rip the seed from her bill once she arrived. As soon as he had the seed, he’d start screaming at her for another and another and another. The mother made countless trips from the feeder to her spoiled brat. I watched (and had to listen to) this go on for nearly a half hour. The reality behind this seemingly odd behavior was apparent from the get go. This poor mother cardinal wasn’t feeding her own baby cardinal (that probably never had the chance to hatch). She was caring for a baby cowbird whose mother had probably booted the cardinal’s eggs from her nest a few weeks back and then laid her own.
Cowbirds are a parasite of the bird world and cardinals are a favorite target. They carefully observe where a cardinal pair has built their nest and then waits for a time to make her move and lay her egg(s) in the nest. The female cardinal (though it can be other species) hatches the egg (usually just one per nest for premium care) and raises the young bird as her own.
Cowbirds are the only parasitic species of bird in North America. Though females lay over forty eggs a year, she never has to build a nest or raise young. What a life! In my yard, cardinal nests have always been their favorite target, but they target over 50 species of birds here in Wisconsin. Some birds, such as robins and catbirds, recognize that cowbird eggs are not their own and will puncture and remove them from their nests. Other birds aren’t so observant.
Cowbird eggs hatch quicker than the host eggs and once hatched, cowbird babies grow more quickly than the host species. As I observed this morning, the young cowbird is already nearly the size of the female cardinal. If there are host species eggs still in the nest, the young cowbird will oftentimes destroy remaining eggs or simply crowd out any hatchlings with brut force in its demand to be fed. The cardinals’ eggs never stood a chance. Sometimes, however, the cowbird and the host species babies grow to adulthood side by side as one happy, albeit odd looking, family.
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ENTRY: JUNE 23, 2023 (That Roadside Weed with the Pretty Sky Blue Flowers)
Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a summer-blooming phenological indicator plant. It’s said when the first flowers of chicory open, not only do Japanese beetles first appear, but now is the right time to prevent damage from the squash vine borer as the eggs are laid. The chicory has now just begun blooming here along the streets and medians in the Madison area…and like clockwork the Japanese beetles have arrived. Chicory is so tough, I find it growing in the cracks in my driveway and sidewalk.
If you live in the US, you have more than likely seen this bright blue flowered, slightly scraggly looking herb/weed. It grows in every part of the country, and has become so common that many of us don’t even notice it along the roadside. Chicory deserves more respect than it is given however. One of the oldest known herbal writings from the first century even mentions it. Brought to the colonies and then naturalized throughout the country, chicory is an herb that offers a bright spot in the garden, a delicious root for roasting and making a warming beverage, a delicious green for our salads (endive is a chicory) and fodder for livestock.
Chicory came to us from Europe, probably arriving with the first European settlers. Many of our common roadside weeds, including chicory, are found in every state and have long been naturalized here. A theory I’ve heard is that they may have been mixed in with the hay and bedding that was used to bring over the first animals that our forefathers brought when the colonies were established on the East coast.
The use of roasted chicory roots as an adulterant for coffee seems to be a French thing, possibly starting during the Napoleonic era when supplies of coffee were disrupted during the Revolution. In the U.S., chicory-laced coffee is found primarily in New Orleans.
The principle ingredients of chicory root are two polysaccharide, inulin and fructose. When roasted, inulin is converted to oxymethylfurfurol, a compound with a coffee-like aroma.
KLEIN’S RECIPES OF THE MONTH—These are a selection of relatively simple recipes chosen by our staff. New recipes appear monthly. Enjoy!!
Cucumbers come from a large family of garden plants that include squash and melons. In fact, their cultural needs are all quite similar. The vining plants require a bit of room in the garden to do well. Bush varieties are available but tend to be less productive. Vines cling to surfaces with tendrils and are often allowed to climb fences and trellises to save space in the garden. Many recipes call for cucumbers to be peeled and seeded. Using a melon baller or the tip of a teaspoon makes the seeding process a breeze once the cucumber is sliced lengthwise. Whether or not to peel or seed is a matter of personal preference. Doing so reduces gassiness in many people. Cucumbers are usually eaten raw; sliced or diced into salads or pickled in a salt or sugar brine.
THAI CUCUMBER SALAD— A heavenly salad from The Still Life with Menu Cookbook by Mollie Katzen. Best made at least 4 hours ahead of time to chill and marinate. Great with grilled tuna or salmon.
2 medium cucumbers
1/2 cup finely minced red onion
1/2 cup finely minced green pepper
1 small, seeded, minced chile pepper (optional)
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. sugar
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup fresh, minced cilantro
Peel and slice the cukes into quarters lengthwise then cut into thin slices. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix gently. Cover tightly and allow to marinate in the refrigerator. Serve cold. Serves 4.
CUCUMBER SALAD WITH RICE VINEGAR DRESSING— This recipe appeared in Cooking Light magazine. Extremely easy and a good way to use up a bunch of cukes at once.
6 cups seeded and peeled cucumbers
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 tsp. sugar
4 tsp. sesame oil
1 tsp. salt
4 TBS. chopped green onion
3 TBS. unsalted dry roast peanuts, chopped
Toss all of the ingredients, except the onions and the peanuts together in a large bowl. Sprinkle with the onions and the peanuts and serve. Serves 10.
EASY REFRIGERATOR PICKLES–Another excellent way to get rid of a lot of cucumbers if you have too many on hand. This recipe comes from an issue of Cooking Light magazine.
2 lbs. thinly sliced pickles or cucumbers (6 cups)
2 cups thin sliced onion
1 1/2 cups white vinegar
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. mustard seed
1/2 tsp. celery seed
1/2 tsp. turmeric
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp. pepper
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
Place the cucumbers and the onions in a large container. Combine the vinegar and the rest of the ingredients in a saucepan. Stir well. Bring to a boil and cook one minute. Pour the hot liquid over the cucumbers and allow to cool. Place in a covered container and chill at least four days. Will keep for at least one month in the refrigerator.
SOUTHWEST CUCUMBER SALAD–a recipe found in the Wisconsin State Journal from July of 2009.
2 cups unpeeled, diced cucumber
1 cup diced tomato (2 medium)
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1 medium jalapeno, seeded and finely diced
1 x 15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 x 11 oz. can Mexicorn, drained
1 ripe avocado, diced
3 TBS. cider vinegar
1 lime, juiced
1 clove minced garlic
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1 TBS. olive oil
Combine the cucumber, tomato, onion, jalapeno, beans and corn in a bowl and toss well. Gently stir in the avocado. Whisk together the vinegar, lime juice, garlic, cumin and chili powder. Add the oil, while whisking, in a continuous stream. Pour over the veggies and toss until coated. Serves 10.
WATERMELON AND CUCUMBER TONIC–A refreshing twist on a classic drink from Cooking Light magazine.
6 cups cubed watermelon, divided
1/4 cup torn mint leaves, divided
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, divided
1 English cucumber, peeled, sliced and divided (3 cups)
2 1/2 cups chilled tonic water
1 1/4 cups gin
Combine one half of the watermelon, mint, lemon juice and cucumber in a blender. Strain into a bowl through 4 layers of cheese cloth lining a sieve. Squeeze out all of the juice. Repeat the process, discarding all solids. Combine 2 1/2 cups of the juice mixture, the tonic and the gin, stirring well. (Reserve the rest of the juice mixture for the next round of drinks or for another purpose.) Serve over ice. Makes 8 drinks.
NATURAL NEWS–
Using Organic Fungicides
By Janna Beckerman
Dept. of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University
When confronted with a disease, many homeowners and landscape professionals say
they prefer to use organic products because they are more environmentally friendly. Others say they just want to use a product that works, regardless of the ecological impact. Many organic fungicide products can satisfy the needs of both groups in one container, providing effective control with minimal ecological impact. However, improperly using any chemical (organic or otherwise) will result in poor control and may harm non-target organisms.
Plant Health Management
Effectively using organic fungicides (or any fungicide for that matter) requires a solid
plant health management strategy. A traditional integrated pest management (IPM)
program focuses solely on the pest or pathogen. However, good plant health management focuses more on the actual plant, including:
• Identifying the right plant for the site.
• Using resistant varieties (when available).
• Practicing strategies that help keep that plant healthy and avoid insect and disease problems in the first place.
The key to effective plant health management is prevention. This includes doing your
homework before planting by carefully matching plants that are appropriate to the type of soil, sunlight levels, and watering conditions of the site. Once the plants are in the ground, successful plant health management relies on proper sanitation, appropriate fertilization, and necessary pruning practices. Using pesticides may be one part of a plant health program, but it is never the sole strategy for plant health management.
Remember to always check the product label to be sure the plant you wish to treat is labeled and that no contraindications exist. The label is not only the law (which means you must follow the recommended doses and rates) it also provides important warnings to help protect your plants and your health. Sometimes, a plant is “allergic” to a given chemical (termed phytotoxicity). In such cases, the “allergic” plant is listed as a contraindicated plant on the product label (Figure 1). Pesticide labels also provide temperature and weather limitations, and requirements for protective measures you should take before application.
Carefully follow the labeled rates for any pesticide. Too often, users apply pesticides at higher rates than specified on the label, hoping for better control or a more lasting effect. But over applying a pesticide like this is dangerous for the plant, the applicator, and the environment. The application rates on a pesticide label are based on the amounts needed for control. If these rates don’t achieve reasonable control, it is often the result of choosing the wrong pesticide for the problem, making an incorrect diagnosis, or applying the chemical at the improper time — not applying an inadequate amount.
However, it is frequently necessary to repeat applications at intervals of 7, 10, or 14 days over the growing season to protect the new growth that has developed since the last spray, or to replace spray residues that are no longer effective because of weathering and chemical breakdown. Due to their nature, organic pesticides often require more frequent applications than their synthetic counterparts.
Ultimately, following practices that prevent diseases is essential to successful organic gardening (or any type of plant health management) because established populations of plant pathogens don’t respond well to any chemical — organic or synthetic.
There are a number of organic fungicides growers can use to prevent plant diseases:
• Sulfur
• Copper
• Oils
• Bicarbonates
Each of these products and their uses are described in more detail below.
About Sulfur
Sulfur is the oldest recorded fungicide and has been used for more than 2,000 years. Early in agricultural history, the Greeks recognized its efficacy against rust diseases on wheat.
Although few homeowners grow their own wheat, sulfur can be a preventive fungicide against powdery mildew, rose black spot, rusts, and other diseases. Sulfur prevents fungal spores from germinating, so it must be applied before the disease develops for effective results. Sulfur can be purchased as a dust, wettable powder, or liquid.
Do not use sulfur if you have applied an oil spray within the last month — the combination is phytotoxic (plant-killing). Likewise, do not use sulfur when temperatures are expected to exceed 80°F to reduce the risk of plant damage. Finally, there are certain “sulfur-shy” plants (including varieties of gooseberries, currants, apricots, raspberries, and cucurbits) that should never be treated with sulfur.
Lime-sulfur is a form of sulfur mixed with lime (calcium hydroxide), and is mostly used as a dormant spray, meaning it should not be applied to plant foliage. Lime-sulfur is more effective than elemental sulfur at lower concentrations; however, its strong, rotten-egg odor usually discourages its use over extensive plantings.
About Copper
Several copper fungicide formulations are available to organic growers (including ready-to-use and concentrate Bonide products available at Klein’s). Regardless of the formulation, copper fungicides effectively kill fungi and bacteria. Unfortunately, care must be taken to prevent copper from damaging the host plant.
Copper sulfate (also called bluestone) was one of the original forms of copper used as a fungicide.
Bordeaux mixture combines copper sulfate with lime (calcium hydroxide), which acts as a “safener” to neutralize the acidic copper sulfate — this reduces plant damage.
Although not the oldest fungicide, Bordeaux mixture has been used successfully for more than 150 years on fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals. Sulfur is only fungicidal, but Bordeaux mixture also is bactericidal, which means that it can be effective against disease caused both by fungi (such as powdery mildew, downy mildew, and various anthracnose pathogens) and by bacteria (such as bacterial leaf spots and fire blight).
Bordeaux mixture owes part of its success to its ability to persist through spring rains and adhere to plants. Bordeaux mixture comes in several formulations. One of the most
popular, effective, and least phytotoxic formulations for general home garden and orchard use is the 4-4-50 formulation. The numbers translate into the number of pounds of copper sulfate (4) and pounds of lime (4) that should be in 50 gallons of water. This formulation was developed because copper, like sulfur, can be phytotoxic.
Young foliage is especially sensitive to copper, so if you apply Bordeaux mixture in the spring after the plant breaks dormancy, use a weaker, more dilute formulation to reduce the risk of plant injury.
Applying Bordeaux mixture when it’s hot (above 85°F) may cause leaves to turn yellow and drop. Additionally, leaves can be burned if it rains soon after a Bordeaux application. The burn risk can be reduced by adding a spray oil (see below).
Bordeaux mixture can be applied as a dust or liquid formulation. Some sensitive plants require diluting the product to half strength, so again, always read the product label.
About Oils
Oils are most frequently used to manage insects. However, certain oils (horticultural oils and neem oil) can minimize the spread of viruses by controlling the insects that transmit them, namely aphids, whiteflies, and mites. Aphids transmit the viruses that cause many common landscape and garden diseases, including Cucumber mosaic virus, Potato virus Y (potyvirus), and Watermelon mosaic virus. Also, oils have also been found to control thrips — an important vector of Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) — and to reduce the spread of Tobacco mosaic virus by human and tool contact. Oils effectively manage powdery mildew on many plants, but are significantly less effective against other leaf spot diseases.
Neem Oil as a Fungicide
Neem oil is pressed from the fruit and seeds of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica). At a 70 percent concentration, neem oil kills powdery mildew spores, virus vectors (such as aphids and white fly), and the eggs of numerous insect pests. It is less effective against rose black spot (caused by Diplocarpon roseae) and other fungal diseases.
Bicarbonates
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) has been used as a fungicide since 1933. Recent research has demonstrated that although baking soda can be effective against plant diseases when used with oil, its sodium component can build up and become toxic to plants.
Better control, and plant health, was obtained with potassium bicarbonate and ammonium bicarbonate, although different bicarbonate salts have produced different results in different plants, which make specific recommendations difficult. Furthermore, baking soda without oil is ineffective against most diseases. For this reason, using ammonium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate is recommended. These bicarbonates
have the added advantage in that they provide nitrogen and potassium (nutrients plants need), unlike baking soda, which leaves behind toxic sodium.
Conclusion
Managing plant disease problems in the Midwest is a challenge. Successfully managing your plant health problems organically requires carefully choosing the right plants, properly planting and maintaining them, and quickly diagnosing any problems correctly before you apply any chemical.
Source: Purdue University Extension @ www.extension.purdue.edu
JULY’S PLANT OF THE MONTH:
VERBENA BONARIENSIS
Brazilian Vervain, Stick Verbena, Tall Verbena, See-Through Plant
Few garden annuals, whether from humans or butterflies, receive as much attention as Brazilian vervain. This nearly care-free Victorian favorite adds height to the garden, yet is virtually see-through. Clusters of purple flowers appear on thin stalks up to two feet or more above the foliage. Side stalks are produced throughout the growing season; giving the illusion of more than one plant. When given a single tip pinch early in the season, plants start out bushy and many-stalked. Left unpinched, plants can grow to 5′ tall. Plants are beautiful additions to cottage and meadow gardens. Virtually pest-free, powdery mildew can occur in conditions with poor airflow.
Verbena bonariensis is native to nearly all of tropical South America. Here in the north, it’s a tough-as-nails summer annual that self sows with abandon when grown in the right conditions. Plants are extremely drought tolerant and thrive in full sun where soils are on the lean side. They make excellent and interesting cut flowers for bouquets and are quite long-lasting. The flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies; especially tiger swallowtails and monarchs. Plants continue to flower from late June until a hard freeze, usually early October.
Though Klein’s sells starter plants in the spring, seeds can be easily started indoors during late winter. Sow seeds on the surface of seed staring mix in a shallow container. Moisten the mix, place the container in a plastic bag and chill in the refrigerator for about a month. Chilling the seed allows for rapid germination of all seeds simultaneously, rather than random germination over a period of weeks. Seedlings are all of even height and maturity for subsequent transplanting. There are concerns in the southern U.S. about the plant’s potential invasiveness. There, it’s on many watch lists. Brazilian vervain is a hardy perennial into Zone 7.
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.
Dragonfly Monitoring Walk @ the Arboretum
Saturday, July 1, 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Family Walk
Join the Arboretum and the Wisconsin Dragonfly Society for guided walks to monitor dragonflies, including identifying species and collecting data for the Arboretum’s dragonfly monitoring project. No experience required, but an online training video is available by request (email jwhidden@wisc.edu). Recommended for ages 12 and up. Walks take place select Wednesdays and Saturdays into early October. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Full Moon Night Hike @ the Arboretum
Saturday, July 1, 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Walk
Let your eyes adjust to the moonlight, listen to the night sounds, and experience the darkness on this naturalist-led walk (full moon is July 3). Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free. Register by June 28: https://uw-madison-arboretum.eventbrite.com.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Tenney-Lapham’s Annual Chicken Coop/Garden Tour
Sunday, July 2, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Print maps will be available the day of the tour at 461 N. Few street and 917 E. Dayton street or at http://tinyurl.com/2023tlnatour. The tour is free and self-guided. Neighbors may visit as many or as few coops or gardens as they wish. Parking is available at Christ Presbyterian Church, 944 E. Gorham street.
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Sunday, July 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, July 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
Olbrich’s Home Garden Tour
Featuring Six Garden Sanctuaries in Shorewood Hills
Friday, July 7 and Saturday, July 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens presents six garden sanctuaries in the wooded Village of Shorewood Hills. Rooted in a long history of sustainable practices, the Village and its residents value green initiatives, prioritizing the future well-being of their neighborhood, Lake Mendota, and the greater City of Madison & beyond. Many gardens incorporate hardy native plants, focus on pollinator friendly flowers, and offer bird habitats.
Tickets are $13 for Olbrich members and $15 for the general public, $6 for children ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and under.
Advance tickets available for purchase at Olbrich’s lobby thru July 6.
Tour Day tickets available at the UW Credit Union, 3500 University Ave (west side of parking lot off Highbury Road)
Know Before You Go
- Featured gardens can be viewed in any order; tour-goers do not need to start at #1
- Tour-goers must carry their ticket to each garden site for check-in
- Be sure to utilize the Home Garden Tour App (scan the QR code on ticket) to learn more about the garden stories, native plant highlights, and Shorewood Hills’ sustainability efforts
- Tour-goers are strongly encouraged to park once and walk or bike the tour to avoid parking congestion on the narrow neighborhood streets of Shorewood Hills
- Check for road construction updates for University Ave before attending the tour
*Garden site addresses are listed on the tour tickets, which can be purchased at Olbrich Gardens prior to the tour. The garden site addresses are only published on the tour tickets to protect the homeowners’ privacy.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Summer Sundays: Jazz in the Garden at Allen Centennial Garden
Add a little bit of musical enjoyment to your Sunday afternoons this summer with Summer Sundays: Concerts in the Garden. The concerts will be held alternating Sunday afternoons starting June 11 and ending August 20, from 5-6:15 p.m.
This event is free and open to the public. Brought to you by the Friends of Allen Centennial Garden.
July 9
Rico Vibes
Led by vibe virtuoso Tommy Mattioli, Rico Vibes serves up exuberant high-energy music blending funk, Latin and jazz rhythms with original tunes and modern arrangements of standards and classics.
July 23
Paul Dietrich’s Elemental Quartet
A new venture for leader-composer Paul Dietrich, reflecting a return to basics and simplicity after several large-ensemble projects.
August 6
The Jazz Guys
Born during the pandemic, with the covid winter spent—at a distance—preparing, and rehearsing carefully honed arrangements, this quartet debuted in spring 2021 at Café Coda.
August 20
Betsy Ezell’s Bossa Nova Project
A new project by vocalist Betsy Ezell, Canção (Brazilian for ‘song’) features music in the tradition of bossa nova in a set that includes innovative arrangements of traditional songs as well as original compositions.
Allen Centennial Gardens
620 Babcock Dr. on the University of WI campus, Madison
608/576-2501 or allencentennialgarden.org for details.
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Sunday, July 9, 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
Summer Concert Series at Olbrich Gardens
Enjoy an evening concert in one of Madison’s most delightful outdoor venues!
Concert attendees should bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. Carry in picnics and beverages are allowed.
Concerts are FREE to the public; a $5 suggested donation is appreciated.
No tickets required. Please carry out all trash.
Olbrich Concerts in the Gardens 2023 Schedule:
(All concerts are on Tuesdays at 7 p.m.)
July 11
Third Coast Bluegrass—TCB’s repertoire spans bluegrass classics, hidden gems, originals, and adaptations from amazing songwriters. The band highlights Jerry’s “true to the tradition” vocals, seamless trios and masterful instrumentals.
July 18
Kainalu—A psychedelic funk recording project by independent multi-instrumentalist and producer, Trent Prall. Drawing influence from modern psychedelia and classic motown artists he grew up listening to, Kainalu’s unique sound has gained international appeal.
July 25
Madison Mystery Tour—Driven by love for the timeless music of the Beatles, Madison Mystery Tour is an ensemble dedicated to studying and performing every song in the core catalogue of the Fab Four, note-for-note.
August 1
Latin Pride Orquesta—Formed in early 2017 with 12 musicians from around the world – Puerto Rico, México, República Dominicana, Peru and Madison. Their exhilarating brand of salsa music and charged live shows have quickly earned them a reputation as one of the most exciting acts to emerge from Madison’s Latin Salsa Music scene.
August 8
Opera in the Gardens—Fresco Opera is back! Stroll through the Gardens and take in roaming performances of several operatic scenes performed in a variety of garden areas. A magical experience for all your senses!
August 15
Invisible Cartoons—Blends catchy melodies, intoxicating voices, bounce-inducing beats, dynamic guitar/bass rhythms, spine-tingling keytar riffs, and dramatic wordplay about love, friendship, and fun.
August 22
Grupo Candela (Member Exclusive Concert)—Members enjoy exclusive access to this bonus summer concert held during Member Appreciation Week. Join today and receive this great member benefit!
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Summer Container Walk @ Olbrich Gardens
Wednesday, July 12, 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Discover the endless possibilities of designing garden containers to enhance your landscape! Containers can thrive all season long by learning tricks and tips of designing, planting, pruning, and general maintenance. Design techniques for sun and shade containers, hanging baskets, succulent combinations, herbs, tropicals, and more will be shared. Gardeners of any experience level will enjoy this walk.
Instructor: Samara Eisner, Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Cost: $22 or $18 for Olbrich Members
Register by July 5 @ olbrich.doubleknot.com/event/summer-container-walk/2980898
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Dragonfly Monitoring Walk @ the Arboretum
Wednesday, July 12, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Family Walk
Join the Arboretum and the Wisconsin Dragonfly Society for guided walks to monitor dragonflies, including identifying species and collecting data for the Arboretum’s dragonfly monitoring project. No experience required, but an online training video is available by request (email jwhidden@wisc.edu). Recommended for ages 12 and up. Walks take place select Wednesdays and Saturdays into early October. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Plants for Pollinators @ the Arboretum
Wednesday, July 12, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Garden Tour
Learn more about summer-blooming native and ornamental species in Arboretum gardens. Susan Carpenter will highlight plants and gardening practices that support essential pollinators in urban/suburban landscapes. 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
Flower Pounding Workshop at Allen Centennial Garden
Wednesday, July 12, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Learn How To Destroy To Create!
Harvest, arrange, and hammer out a cathartic art piece. Flower pounding is exactly what it sounds like with extra little twists. Flowers, fruits, leaves…anything with a pigment goes, and as you slam these materials into the fabric you release their colors and echo their forms from the growing season! From hulk smashing the most delicate flowers to gently tapping leaves to get accents or layers, we will walk you through everything from selection, harvest, and hammering your pieces together!
Cost: $20. Register @ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/flower-pounding-learn-how-to-destroy-to-create-tickets-627026552297?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Allen Centennial Gardens
620 Babcock Dr. on the University of WI campus, Madison
608/576-2501 or allencentennialgarden.org for details.
Olbrich Garden’s Blooming Butterflies Exhibit
July 13-August 6
Daily from 10:00-4:00
In the Bolz Conservatory
THE BUTTERFLIES ARE BACK!
Blooming Butterflies features up to 19 different species of free flying butterflies in the tropical Bolz Conservatory. Visitors make connections with these fluttering friends while learning about the butterfly life cycle. Two chrysalis cases provide opportunities to possibly witness a butterfly emerge from a chrysalis!
During Blooming Butterflies, the outdoor gardens spotlight relationships between plants and pollinators with an ‘I SPY’ Pollinators scavenger hunt. A pollinator themed children’s book is displayed as a StoryWalk along Starkweather Creek. And every child that attends Blooming Butterflies receives a coupon for a free junior scoop from our friends at Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream!
You can prepare for your visit by watching the Blooming Butterfies Welcome Video.
The life span of different butterflies varies from a few weeks to a few months. All flying butterflies live out their natural lives in the Conservatory, with food sources remaining for them after the exhibit dates.
Butterfly Action Day
Friday, July 28
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Join us for a special day with representatives from local monarch conservation organizations! Interactive displays focused on monarch butterflies will highlight what you can do to help the population. Monarchs make one of the longest known insect migration on earth and everyone can make a difference in supporting their spectacular journey! No cost to attend or participate, but there is a separate cost to enter Blooming Butterflies.
The cost is $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12, and free for children 5 and under. Olbrich Botanical Society members are admitted free. Parking is free. Bus tours are welcome; groups of 10 or more must register by calling 608/245-3648.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Wisconsin Garden Club Federation Home Garden Tour
Saturday and Sunday, July 15 & 16, 9:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Begin at Hometown Junction Park, Railroad St., Verona or 1030 Middleton St., Madison
Cost $15
Eight gardens are featured on this garden tour. Fundraising proceeds will be used for a scholarship awarded to a college freshman studying horticulture or environmental issues and also for district projects.
Contact Karen @ karenleewahl@gmail.com for info.
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Sunday, July 16, 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
Learning Together: Flowers and Their Insect Friends @ the Arboretum
Tuesday, July 18, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Family Class
We will share stories and create nature art and crafts. This class is for preschool-age children and their adult caregivers. Adults must attend. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come seasonally prepared for weather and insects. Fee: $20 per family/group of up to four people. Register by July 10 @ arboretum.wisc.edu/group-classes/learning-together-flowers-and-their-insect-friends/. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Dried Flowers Are Forever Workshop at Allen Centennial Garden
Wednesday, July 19, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Come to the garden and learn how to create an everlasting dried arrangement. We will discuss and learn over 60 minutes about drying plants and how to use them. We will start with a garden tour where we go over the best plants to dry and how those dried materials have been used by humans for centuries for medicine, food, and art. We will discuss the intricacies of drying materials and help you to better understand how to have the best success and preserve the most vivid flowers, pungent herbs, and potent medicines. Each participant will get to take home a mini drying rack and several mini bouquets to practice with. This 60-minute project was designed for those aged 18 and up.
Cost: $50. Buy tickets @ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dried-flowers-are-forever-tickets-627038718687?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Allen Centennial Gardens
620 Babcock Dr. on the University of WI campus, Madison
608/576-2501 or allencentennialgarden.org for details.
Rotary Garden’s What’s in Bloom? Tour
Thursday, July 20, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Rotary Botanical Gardens, 1455 Palmer Dr., Janesville, WI
Rotary Botanical Gardens Director of Horticulture, Michael Jesiolowski will provide a behind-the-scenes look at what’s blooming this month and answer any questions you may have.
What’s in Bloom? Tours take place on the 3rd Thursday of the month (April-September). The tours are free for RBG members, or $10 for non-members.
To register, please call 608.752.3885, sign up in person on the day of the tour or sign up @ https://rotarybotanicalgardens.org/event/whats-in-bloom-tour/2023-07-20/ .
Rotary Botanical Gardens
1455 Palmer Dr., Janesville, WI
608/752-3885 or www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org/
Garden Stroll @ the Arboretum
Sunday, July 23, 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
Summer Bouquet Workshop at Allen Centennial Garden
Wednesday, July 26, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Cut, and arrange flowers with us! Learn how to harvest, care for, and arrange popular cut flowers endemic to the region of Mexico like–Cosmos, Dahlia, Marigold, Zinnia, and more. We will walk you through all the basics of harvesting and then work with you all to create your own unique centerpiece! Watch an experienced flower arranger build a centerpiece step by step, then build your own with a coach by your side.
Cost: $45-50. Buy tickets @ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summer-bouquet-workshop-tickets-627031968497?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Allen Centennial Gardens
620 Babcock Dr. on the University of WI campus, Madison
608/576-2501 or allencentennialgarden.org for details.
Dragonfly Monitoring Walk @ the Arboretum
Saturday, July 29, 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Family Walk
Join the Arboretum and the Wisconsin Dragonfly Society for guided walks to monitor dragonflies, including identifying species and collecting data for the Arboretum’s dragonfly monitoring project. No experience required, but an online training video is available by request (email jwhidden@wisc.edu). Recommended for ages 12 and up. Walks take place select Wednesdays and Saturdays into early October. 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, July 30, 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
Native Plant Garden Tour @ the Arboretum: Native Grasses
Wednesday, August 2, 7:00-8:30
Susan Carpenter, garden curator, will focus on color, size, and features of native Wisconsin grasses, from purple love grass to big bluestem, growing in the Wisconsin Native Plant Garden. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Dane County Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, April 15 thru November 11, 6:15-1:45
On the Capitol Square
Wednesdays, April 19 thru November 1, 8:30-1:45
In the 200 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
For details visit www.dcfm.org
Northside Farmers Market
Sundays, May 14 through October 29, 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
JULY IN THE GARDEN-–A checklist of things to do this month.
___Pinch hardy mums until July 4 for bushier less floppy plants.
___Begin sowing and transplanting cole crops for fall harvest.
___Fertilize and mulch asparagus beds.
___Give the garden at least 1″ of moisture per week.
___Mow as little as possible and with mower raised to at least 2″.
___Mulch beds to conserve moisture and keep down weeds.
___Deadhead spent blooms as needed.
___Stake and support tall plants as needed.
___Cut spent perennials to the ground to encourage new growth.
___Divide daylilies as they finish blooming.
___Fertilize potted plants at least every 2 weeks. Follow directions.
___Order spring bulbs from catalogs while your memory is still fresh.
___Keep and eye on the weather. Water as needed.
___Watch for pests and control as needed or desired.
___Stop fertilizing roses by late July.
___Visit Klein’s—Watch for end of season savings on annuals, perennials & shrubs.
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
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 JULY:
—Watering is a nonstop endeavor. On hot, windy days, we no sooner finish the first round, when we have to start all over again. Some plants in our retail areas may need watering 3 or 4 times in a single day! You wouldn’t do this at home, but customers don’t like to see wilted plants. It’s not harmful for us to let them wilt a bit, but it makes for bad presentation.
—Yes, the poinsettias arrive. The small plants are potted and placed in a warm greenhouse out back where they are constantly misted for a few days until they begin rooting out. After a few weeks they are individually pinched for sturdy and bushy growth.
—Summer maintenance projects are under way.
—We transplant our fall cole crops into cell packs along with our fall pansies and violas.
PERMANENT FEATURES–
KLEIN’S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Have our monthly newsletter e-mailed to you automatically by signing up on the top of our home page @ kleinsfloral.com . 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.
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.
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.
DELIVERY INFO
Klein’s Floral and Greenhouses delivers daily, except Sundays, throughout all of Madison and much of Dane County including: Cottage Grove, Deerfield, DeForest, Fitchburg, Maple Bluff, Marshall, McFarland, Middleton, Monona, Oregon, Shorewood Hills, Sun Prairie, Verona, Waunakee and Windsor. We do not deliver to Cambridge, Columbus 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, Deerfield, 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.
Horticulturalist & General Manager–Jamie VandenWymelenberg jamie@kleinsfloral.com
Floral Manager—Sarah Sonson floral@kleinsfloral.com
Houseplant Buyer, Newsletter Coordinator—Rick Halbach rick@kleinsfloral.com
Purchasing—Megan Johnson megan@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