‘THE SAGE’-Klein’s Online Newsletter—AUGUST 2023
Klein’s Floral & Greenhouses
3758 E. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
608/244-5661 or info@kleinsfloral.com
THIS MONTH’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Check Out Our Current End-of-Season Specials
Our ‘Mad Gardener‘ and ‘Houseplant Help‘ Are Ready for Your Questions
We Reuse Your Teal-colored 5″ Klein’s Pots
Making Sure Your “Local” Florist is Local
Klein’s Delivery Service: Everything You Need To Know
Weed Control without Chemicals
Klein’s Favorite Seed, Bulb & Plant Sources
You Asked about a Non-blooming Clematis
Plant of the Month: Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia)
Klein’s Favorite Garden Inspired Cocktail Recipes
Product Spotlight: Jack’s Classic® Water Soluble Fertilizers
Notes from Rick’s Garden Journal—From July 2023
—Hardscaping 101: Gabion Walls
—Poinsettias in the Summer Garden
—My 2023 Vegetable Choices for Containers
August in the Garden: A Planner
Gardening Events Around Town
Join Us on Twitter
Follow Us on Facebook
CURRENTLY ON SALE @ KLEIN’S
30% Off Pottery Flash Sale! …Saturday August 12 and Sunday, August 13 Only!!
Sale includes pots and pottery of all styles and sizes…ceramic, clay, plastic and cache pots are all included in this two day sale!
25% Off All Perennials, Shrubs and Potted Fruits While Supplies Last.
We still have a fantastic and large selection in stock!! Late summer and fall are the perfect time to plant perennials and shrubs. Get a start now on your next season’s garden and landscape!!
25% Off All Herbs
We have all of your favorites for late season cooking and canning…an amazing selection of oregano, mint, thyme, lavender, rosemary and so much more awaits you and your senses! …And many will overwinter indoors on a windowsill for continued enjoyment.
Also Now on Sale and While Supplies Last:
- Buy One, Get One Free All Annuals/Veggies
- 50% Off Summer Containers
- 25% Off All Perennials, Shrubs and Potted Fruits
- 25% Off Garden Spinners and Decorative Garden Stakes
- 25% Off All Hummingbird Feeders
- 50% Off Annual Hanging Baskets and Annual Flower Pouches (Houseplants are not included.)
- 50% Off Tropicals (Citrus & Houseplants are not included.)
- 50% Off All 6″ Annuals
- 50% 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
- 50%-75% Off Clearance Table Items
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.
AUGUST STORE HOURS:
Monday thru Friday : 9:00-6:00
Saturday: 9:00-5:00
Sunday: 10:00-4:00
Open Labor Day, Monday, September 4: 10:00-4:00
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
Throughout August, visit Klein’s and check out our end of season specials. Specials and selection change weekly so give us a call for the most up-to-date information at (608) 244-5661 or on our home page @ www.kleinsfloral.com or our social media sites. We pride ourselves in having the best cared for plants in even the hottest weather.
And later in August, watch for the appearance our fall mums, ornamental kales and cabbages, mixed fall containers and cool weather vegetables, including; chard, kale, lettuces and cole crops. We have a nice selection of seeds for the fall vegetable garden, including; radishes, spinach, lettuce and SO much more!
August 1–Full Moon
August 30–Blue Moon…Second full moon in a month…next one is in 2037 in Madison!
September 4–Labor Day. Special Store Hours: 10:00-4:00
‘THE FLOWER SHOPPE’:
With all the talk about sustainability and buying local, it’s equally important to search for a truly “local” florist when ordering fresh flowers for delivery. From the Society of American Florists at www.aboutflowers.com comes the following advice and guidelines:
Making Sure Your “Local” Florist is Local
Not all “local” florists are local. Some out-of-state telemarketing and online firms pose as local florists. These companies mislead consumers into feeling they are ordering flowers from a local florist, but without their knowledge, are being call-remote forwarded to another state. These firms charge higher fees and take business away from legitimate local florists. Consumers are deceived into thinking they are doing business with a local company when they’re not. That’s unethical and unfair.
To make sure you are doing business with a local professional florist, just follow these tips from the Federal Trade Commission:
•Ask neighbors, family, friends, and coworkers for florist recommendations.
•Deal only with shops that list a street address with their phone number. If you’re asking directory assistance for a number, also ask for the street number and address. If there isn’t one, consider doing business with another florist. Online, there should be a street address listed on their website.
•Ask the florist for directions to the shop. If they hesitate or refuse, consider this a red flag, and avoid doing business with the florist.
Once you’ve chosen your local florist, your choices of what to send are nearly endless. It’s best to be somewhat prepared when placing an order.
What to Tell Your Florist
Florists are experts in many areas but they can’t read minds. So if you have specific flower or color preferences, be sure to communicate that to your florist. And don’t worry if you are not familiar with the names of the thousands of flowers available. By following these simple tips from the Society of American Florists, you can order flowers from a florist with confidence:
•When ordering floral gifts, describe the recipient’s personality type, as well as his/her favorite hobbies or colors if you know them. Your florist can match the floral arrangement with the recipient’s personality.
•Tell your florist if the gift is for a special occasion (birthday, anniversary or other personal milestone). He or she can offer suggestions on how to best celebrate with flowers.
•If the flowers are for decorating or entertaining, describe the environment where the arrangement will be placed so your florist can create an arrangement that complements the style and colors of your home.
•Consider bringing in your own vase or container for an added personal touch. Ask your florist for specific colors or color themes.
•Let your florist know if you prefer a mixed flower arrangement or an arrangement made up of just one type of flower.
•Provide your florist with the necessary basic information – the name, full address and phone number of the recipient, the delivery date, your card message and payment information.
Whether sending flowers across the country or around the corner, your florist provides the expertise, convenience and service today’s on-the-go consumers are looking for.
For truly local and expert service and advice, give Sarah, Renee, Sue or Bonnie a call @ 608-244-5661 (or floral@kleinsfloral.com).
YOU ASKED. . .
My clematis vines are robust and full of healthy leaves, but no blooms. They are three years old. Ann
Hi Ann,
As a rule, when a plant is not blooming, it’s usually due to to one or more of three reasons: The plant is in a little too much shade (Clematis prefer full sun to part shade. Morning full sun is best. 6 hours is considered full sun.), the soil is too fertile (Either the soil is too rich or the plant is being fertilized) or the plant hasn’t reached flowering maturity. For most perennials, flowering maturity is 3-4 seasons. It could just be the latter. So long as the vines are healthy, give them another season to mature.
Thanks for your question,
DID YOU KNOW. . .
. . . that Klein’s delivers to all of Madison and most of Dane County?
Klein’s Floral and Greenhouses delivers daily, except Sundays, throughout all of Madison and most of Dane County including: Cottage Grove, Dane, 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, Stoughton or far western Dane County.
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 downtown Madison hospitals are made during the early afternoon. We deliver to east-side University Hospital both mornings and afternoons . Items are delivered to the hospital’s volunteer rooms or information desks 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, unless specific exceptions are made with our drivers.
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, 53714 and 53716.
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.
Jack’s Classic® Water Soluble Fertilizers
from JR Peters, Inc.
Long considered one of the most reputable of the water soluble fertilizers, Klein’s continues to add new and specialized items as customer demand arises. We’ve long carried Jack’s line of fertilizers, including their Petunia FeED (20-6-22)–the only highly specialized petunia fertilizer on the market for perfect hanging baskets and containers.
Started in 1947 by Bob Peters, his Horticultural Services Co. tested soil for greenhouse growers and made recommendations on how to produce the best crops. Today, under the leadership of Bob’s son, Jack Peters, JR PETERS, INC is advancing the tradition of Peter’s family quality products and services.
Their laboratory has been providing outstanding analytical services to the horticulture industry for over 55 years. Professional growers, horticultural products manufacturers, and university researchers throughout the world trust us to supply accurate and timely services. It was in 1997 with Jack’s Classic® that they stepped into the retail market.
About the Products We Carry:
African Violet (12-36-14)–
The 1-3-1 ratio is a favorite for commercial violet growers and hobbyists. High quality nutrients are formulated to deliver the perfect blend to produce deep green foliage, stocky stems, strong root and bud development and colorful blooms. Excellent formula for both top and bottom feeding containers. Root feed only.
All Purpose (20-20-20)–
Balanced Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium for use on all indoor and outdoor plants. Feeds through both the roots and the leaves.
More professional growers have used this product for all their growing needs than any other formula. It is a balanced blend of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium with fully chelated trace elements that works on all plant materials as a general-purpose fertilizer. Indoors it is especially effective on foliage plants to keep leaves green and happy.
Blossom Booster (10-30-20)–
Professional formula for more flowers and brighter colors on all indoor and outdoor plants. Feeds through both the roots and the leaves.
Peters developed this formula over 40 years ago for the professional Orchid Grower to help his plants set abundant buds that matured fully into vibrant, beautiful and colorful flowers. The 1-3-2 ratio is still the ratio that is preferred by professional growers when they want results. This formula also contains a higher level of magnesium, a vital secondary element, which helps keep leaves green.
Citrus FeED (20-10-20)–
Designed to provide the optimum combination of nutrients needed by plants in the citrus group. This formula with enhanced micronutrient levels will produce vibrant green leaves and strong branches and more fruit. Our advanced formulation uses the highest quality nutrients available, delivering professional results for your potted plants.
Houseplant Special (15-30-15)–
Designed for use on all foliage and flowering plants. Professional growers prefer the 1-2-1 ratio fertilizer used for over 50 years to keep indoor grown plants vigorous and green. Great for long term plants!
Orchid Special (30-10-10)–
Feeds through both roots and leaves. Orchids need this high nitrogen and special micronutrient formula when potted in porous fibers, fir bark and rock. This formula emphasizes the vegetative growth stage (leaves), and will assure that the plant’s requirements for increased nitrogen will be satisfied as new leaves develop and mature.
Petunia FeED (20-6-22)–
Specially formulated for iron hungry crops such as petunia, calibrachoa, bacopa, nemesia, diascia, scaevola and others! Feeds through both the roots and the leaves.
Designed in response to marketplace demand to use what the professional growers use. It’s excellent for hanging baskets, containers and flower beds. Contains the extra iron necessary to prevent yellow tips and extra magnesium to keep lower leaves green.
Source: http://www.jrpeters.com
NOTES FROM MY GARDEN JOURNAL–Tips and Observations from My Own Garden by Rick Halbach
ENTRY: JULY 19, 2023 (Hardscaping 101: Gabion Walls)
During a trip to Chicago a few years back, I visited a restaurant whose outdoor patio was surrounded by the most eye-catching, yet simple designed retaining wall composed of field stone encased in metal fencing. Struck by it, I took a number of pictures which this morning popped up on my photo stream. Only recently have I learned this type of structure/art actually has a name, long history and is used in many applications.
Gabion (noun): a wirework container filled with rock, broken concrete, or other material, used in the construction of dams, retaining walls, etc.
Hardscaping 101: Gabion Walls
From the banks of the Nile to your backyard, gabion walls are a boon to the landscape. Used for thousands of years by military and structural engineers, gabions provide an attractive, effective, and inexpensive retaining-wall system.
What are gabions?
Derived from an old Italian word, gabbione, meaning “big cage,” gabions are enclosures that can be filled with any sort of inorganic material: rock, brick, or concrete debris. The cages were originally wicker, but now are usually a welded mesh made of sturdy galvanized, coated, or stainless steel wire that won’t bend when filled with rocks. In landscaping, gabion walls can support an earth wall, stabilize the soil, prevent erosion, and more.
What is the history of gabion walls?
About 7,000 years ago, early gabion-type structures protected the banks of the Nile. In the medieval era, gabions were employed as military fortifications. Later they were used for structural purposes in architecture. Evidently, Leonardo da Vinci used gabion for the foundations of the San Marco Castle in Milan. In recent history, civil engineers have used gabions extensively to stabilize shorelines, riverbanks, highways, and slopes against erosion.
What are the benefits of gabion walls?
History has shown that gabions are a lasting solution to soil erosion. Other reasons to use them:
—Aesthetics: Gabions look natural and can tie a house to the landscape by using filler materials excavated from the site or the local terrain.
—Environmental friendliness: When onsite material is used as filler, transportation costs and associated fuel consumption are eliminated.
—Sustainability: Used as shade screens in hot climates, gabion walls provide passive cooling; they allow air to move through, providing ventilation.
—Permeability: Gabions are permeable and free-draining; they can’t be washed away by moving water.
—Easy installation and built-in strength: The stone fill settles to the contours of the ground beneath it and has such frictional strength that no foundation is required. In fact, the wall’s strength and effectiveness may increase with time, as silt and vegetation fill the voids and reinforce the structure. Another advantage over more rigid structures: Gabions can conform to ground movement.
—Long-lasting.
What material can you use to fill a gabion wall?
Rock is the most typical filler for its durability, longevity, and stability. Often the filler is chosen for its aesthetic attributes, or by what can be recycled from a site. Some considerations depend on a wall’s purpose. For a retaining wall, the rock must be dense enough to support the load. A hard rock such as basalt is typical.
Can I use gabions for more than just retaining walls?
Absolutely. Gabions can be reinvented for many garden uses: benches, outdoor fire surrounds, fence foundations, pond surrounds, planters, even pillars for water taps.
The previous article is by Janet Hall @ www.gardenista.com
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ENTRY: JULY 22, 2023 (Poinsettias in the Summer Garden)
Believe it or not, one of my favorite foliage plants to use in the summer landscape is the poinsettia. Few plants relish our summer heat and humidity as well as the poinsettia.
In my own garden, six small, almost leafless and yellowed plants left over at the greenhouse from last Christmas and planted in two large containers are now over three feet tall and equally wide shrubs that fill large spaces in my perennial beds. I essentially have two beautiful specimen plants were there were none before. The variety I have is called ‘Tapestry’ and has eye-catching green and gold variegated foliage. The bright red petioles add more color to this already stunning plant. Friends often ask what these unique looking shrubs are and where they can purchase them. The pots they’re planted in is hidden by the perennials surrounding them so they appear to be planted in the ground. By summer’s end, the plants are oftentimes well over four feet tall!
In order to thrive, poinsettias in the garden require a very sunny spot protected from strong winds. The hotter the summer, the better they perform.
I usually throw out my ‘over-summered’ poinsettias at season’s end. That said, I’ve also brought them in to Klein’s in years past to use as large display plants for the holidays. The past few summers, however, due to inattentiveness on my part, my plants became infested with whiteflies (the most common poinsettia pest) and became unusable in the greenhouse with the new season’s poinsettias already in stock. Given the gorgeous plants this season, maybe I’ll be a little more vigilant against whiteflies in the upcoming months.
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ENTRY: JULY 29, 2023 (My 2023 Vegetable Choices for Containers)
To date this has been a fantastic summer for growing vegetables in the containers filling a large part of my driveway (other than A LOT of watering). The weather has been perfect, with well-timed and sufficient rainfall over the two weeks, hand in hand with lots of sunshine and heat. Because I’m diligent with my preventive spraying regimen (organic sprays only), there are few blemishes on my dozens of potted tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, kales and herbs—be it from insects or fungal issues. Plants are full of fruit and producing abundantly.
A part of the success may come from the relatively problem-free vegetable varieties I’ve chosen to grow. After years of disappointment, I’ve learned that choosing the right varieties can be the difference between boom or bust. Here are my favorite varieties I’ve grown this season (minus my six kale and collard choices):
Galahad Tomato— Delicious early determinate beefsteak. Excellent late blight resistance and early maturity also make Galahad a strong contender in the North. The round, 7–12 oz. fruits can be harvested with green shoulders and ripened red in storage, or ripened on the vine. Vigorous plants. AAS Regional Winner. High resistance to Fusarium wilt, gray leaf spot, late blight, nematodes, tomato spotted wilt virus, and Verticillium wilt. Determinate. From Johnny’s Select Seeds.
Washington Cherry Tomato—First-early determinate red cherry tomato. High-yielding compact plants. Globe-shaped, 20–25 gm. fruits have a deep-red color. Thick-walled, meaty, and flavorful, with good keeping quality on or off the vine. Widely adapted. Developed by Washington State University. Determinate. From Johnny’s Select Seeds.
Martino’s Roma Tomato—The one to grow for salsa, sauces, paste and more. This Italian heirloom bears incredible numbers of meaty, pear-shaped, 2 to 3 ounce fruits that are low in seeds and juice, but high in rich tomato flavor that makes them good for fresh eating, too. Compact plants have rugose (puckered) foliage. Determinate. From Jung Seed.
Ace Bell Pepper—Extra-early, highly productive standard. Huge yields of medium-size, 3-4 lobed fruits. Has apparent tolerance to blossom drop as nearly every flower produces a pepper. Widely adapted but performs particularly well in cool climates where bell peppers are difficult to grow successfully. From Johnny’s Select Seeds.
Carmen Sweet Pepper—Best-tasting Italian frying pepper. A high-performing rendition of the classic Corno di Toro (or “Bull’s Horn”) pepper popular in Italy. Early, adaptable, and notably sweet (especially when fully red-ripe) with a shapely tapered silhouette. Begins green, then deepens to a beautiful carmine at maturity. Excellent roasted, grilled, and in salads. Bred by Johnny’s and named for the gypsy Carmen from the French opera. Upright, medium-sized plant. From Johnny’s Select Seeds.
Fish Pepper—The 3″-long, colorful, striped peppers of this variety are borne on 2′-tall plants with beautiful variegated foliage. Traditionally used in oyster and crab houses around Chesapeake Bay, this is a 19th century African-American heirloom pepper. Medium hot. From Seed Savers Exchange.
Ninja Bell Pepper—Resistant to bacterial leaf spot. In addition to its excellent disease package, Ninja is mid-early with a high yield potential of large, high-quality fruits. The large plants form a good canopy to protect the fruits from sunscald. From Johnny’s Select Seeds.
Traveler Strain Jalapeño Pepper—From Seed Savers Exchange member Larry Pierce of Cabool, Missouri. Named Traveler because Larry carried this seed with him when he moved to Oklahoma, Wyoming, and then Missouri. Sturdy plants covered in cylindrical fruits that average 3″ long. Fruits ripen from green to bright red. 70-90 days from transplant. Hot. From Seed Savers Exchange.
Florida High Bush Eggplant—This prolific eggplant was a standard market variety bred in Florida in the early 1900s for the commercial trade. Vigorous, upright, well-branched plants bear high-quality fruits continuously throughout the season, and its large purple-black pear-shaped eggplants are held high off the ground. Disease- and drought-resistant. From Seed Savers Exchange.
Turkish Delight Eggplant—New! A wonder in the kitchen. Elongated shape and minimal seeds for quick cooking and rich flavor. Prolific yields of highly uniform, straight fruit with rich flavor. Popular in Turkey and the Middle East. From Johnny’s Select Seeds.
Darki Parsley—Easy to grow market and culinary standard. A very dark green selection of the moss curled type. Use it for garnishes, salads, and cooking. It performs well in containers and allows for multiple cuttings per season from one planting. Upright leaves make harvesting easy. From Johnny’s Select Seeds.
Everleaf Thai Towers Basil—Very slow bolting, incredibly productive plant with vibrant Thai flavor. Compared to Sweet Thai, Everleaf Thai Towers has larger leaves at 2–3″, a taller, more productive plant habit, and is much later to flower. Plants are very upright with purple stems and densely packed, dark green leaves with a purple blush. Makes a beautiful, tidy, towering plant. Long, strong stems and profuse leaf production make it excellent for both bunching (from a field planting) and growing in pots.
Iznik Cucumber—A gourmet mini-cuke from Germany. Thin-skinned, smooth, crisp cucumbers are prime when harvested at 3 to 4 inches. Short-vined plants have small leaves and, because they are parthenocarpic (do not require pollination to set fruit), they are extremely high-yielding even under adverse conditions or without bee activity. Grows well in containers, trellis gardens, greenhouses and regular gardens. Great used fresh or for pickles. From HPS Growers.
KLEIN’S RECIPES OF THE MONTH—These are a selection of relatively simple recipes chosen by our staff. New recipes appear monthly. Enjoy!!
Garden inspired cocktails, anyone? Cheers!!
WATERMELON CUCUMBER TONIC–From Cooking Light magazine.
For 8 drinks:
6 cups cubed watermelon, divided
1/4 cup mint leaves, divided
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, divided
3 cups peeled and sliced cucumber, divided (English type works best)
2 1/2 cups chilled tonic water
1 1/4 cups gin
Combine half of each: the watermelon, mint, lemon juice and cucumber in a blender and blend. Strain into a bowl through 4 layers of cheese cloth lining a sieve. Squeeze out all of the juice. Repeat the process with the other half of the ingredients. Discard the solids remaining in the cheese cloth. Combine 2 1/2 cups of the juice mix, the tonic and the gin, stirring well. Reserve the rest of the juice for the next round of cocktails or for another use. Serve over ice.
TRIPLE BERRY MARGARITAS–From Bon Appetit magazine.
3 x 1/2 pint containers of blackberries (3 cups)
1 x 1/2 pint container of raspberries (1 cup)
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
2/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups gold tequila
2/3 cup Grand Marnier
2 x 1 pint containers strawberries (4 cups), sliced and frozen for 1 hour
5 cups ice
Puree the blackberries, raspberries and lime juice in a blender until smooth. Strain through a mesh sieve into a large measuring container. Add the sugar and stir until dissolved. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to a day. Mix the tequila and Grand Marnier into the berry puree. Transfer half of the mixture to the blender. Add half of the frozen strawberries and 2 1/2 cups ice. Blend until smooth. Transfer to a pitcher and repeat with the rest of the puree, strawberries and ice. Pour into margarita glasses rimmed with lime juice and sugar. Serve with lime slices. Makes 8-10 drinks.
CUCUMBER YUM YUM–From Bon Appetit magazine.
Per two drinks:
12 x 1/8″ thick English cucumber slices, divided
10 fresh raspberries, divided
1/4 cup gin
1/4 cup honey
2 TBS. aquavit
2 TBS. fresh lime juice
With a wooden spoon, mash 10 slices cucumber and 8 raspberries in a shaker. Add the gin, honey, aquavit and lime juice. Shake hard 20 times. Fill two old-fashioned glasses with crushed ice. Strain the drinks into the glasses, dividing equally. Garnish with remaining cucumber slices and raspberries.
FENNEL CRUSHES–From Rachel Ray.
1/4 cup fresh fennel, coarsely chopped
1/4 tsp. crushed fennel seed
Ice
3 oz. to 1/4 cup + 2 TBS. gin
2 oz. to 1/4 cup anise liqueur, i.e. Pernod
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
Add fennel and seeds to a shaker and muddle with a wooden spoon. Fill the shaker halfway with ice cubes. Add the gin, anise liqueur and juice. Shake 10 seconds and strain into two ice-filled glasses.
MINT MARGARITAS–From Cooking Light magazin.
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed mint leaves
2 cups water
3/4 cup tequila, divided
1/2 cup fresh lime juice (about 4 limes)
2TBS. Grand Marnier
3-4 dashes bitters
Combine the sugar, mint, water and 1/2 cup tequila in a saucepan. Cook on medium heat 3 minutes or until tiny bubbles form around the edge of the pan. Remove from the heat and allow to steep for 15 minutes. Strain and discard the mint. Stir in the lime juice, Grand Marnier and the remaining 1/4 cup tequila. Cool to room temperature and add the bitters. Place the mixture in a ziplock bag, seal and freeze for 2 hours. (The tequila will separate out.) Knead the bag to combine the ingredients and pour into margarita glasses dipped into lime juice and then dipped into a salt/sugar combination.
NATURAL NEWS–
There are many effective ways to control weeds without resorting to the use of chemical herbicides.
A simple mulch is one of the easiest and most accessible. Weed suppressing mulches include grass clippings, hay or straw, wood mulches, recycled rubber tire chips, newspaper, gravel, landscape fabric and others. All are used in different situations, but with the common goals of retaining moisture and controlling weeds. Mulches control weeds by not allowing them to germinate or grow, smothering them or simply making the few that do grow easier to pull by hand.
Mechanical means of weed control includes a variety of hoes and hand tools. Some are more effective than others. For tight spaces, circle hoes are invaluable. Forked hand weeders are excellent for weeds with long tap roots like dandelions, thistles and burdock. There are also propane weed torches on the market, but their use can be limiting.
But it’s simple hand weeding that remains the most effective form of non-chemical weed control. One thorough weeding during the month of June with lighter follow-up weedings will keep most weeds at bay. A thorough weeding early in the season allows your garden plants to out compete and shade out many weeds, making the day to day weeding much easier. Daily weeding as you water also makes the task less daunting. With a proper attitude, weeding can be approached as a relaxing endeavor, rather than a chore. The key is to weed when the soil is moist and to weed early or late in the day–not in the hot sun.
It’s important to try to get the entire root system out when weeding. Many plants will re-sprout if any speck of root remains. Most perennial weeds fall into this category. Garden cleanup is also essential. Many weeds, like chickweed and Creeping Charlie, will send out new roots if any piece of stem remains in contact with the soil. Recognizing weeds is also very helpful. Many weeds like lamb’s quarters, campion and purslane are annuals. By removing them before they’ve set seed, you’ve essentially eliminated them from your garden for good.
Excellent reference books for learning to recognize common weeds of the Midwest include:
Roadside Plants and Flowers by Marian S. Edsall and put out by University of Wisconsin Press
Wildflowers and Weeds by Booth Courtenay & James H. Zimmerman, published by Simon and Schuster. Both use real photographs for easy identification.
AUGUST’S PLANT OF THE MONTH:
MEXICAN SUNFLOWER (Tithonia diversifolia)
Heighten the Beauty of Your Home with Mexican Sunflowers
by Frances Santos @ northamericanfarmer.com/index.html
About Tithonia
Tithonia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Asteraceae. It includes 11 species that are native to Mexico with a couple of species found in parts of Southwestern United States and Central America.
Tithonia is more popularly known as “Mexican Sunflower”. This is a drought tolerant annual plant that thrives in warm weather. Tithonia blooms starting around summer up to sometime in fall. The daisy-like flowers are either yellow or orange. The flowers grow 2.5 to 3 inches in diameter when in full bloom. Tithonia plants are commonly used at the back portion of borders. In some warm places, Tithonias are considered a weed.
Tithonias are often grown in groups in order to look better. These plants grow up to 60 inches tall. One interesting thing about Tithonia is that it is known to attract butterflies, especially monarchs. The Mexican Sunflower is also known as “The Golden Flower of the Incas”. This plant is a very good addition to any garden. However, some people prefer to grow Tithonia in containers.
Tithonia is not the easiest plant to incorporate into a garden because of its lanky shape. However, the flowers are very attractive and can be a great accent to any garden especially because of their vibrant colors. The best solution is to place this plant beside other plants with similar height. It can also be cut back or trimmed when it gets too leggy. For best results, it should be placed in a sunny spot at the back portion of the border.
Propagation
Tithonia plants are grown from seed taking about 10 days up to three weeks to sprout. In colder areas, it is best to start them indoors. However, in warmer climates, these plants are started outdoors. One valuable tip is to keep the soil moist until the seeds have sprouted. The seeds should be sowed outdoors only after the last frost in the area. The seeds should be spaced around 6-8 inches apart covered lightly (around 1/4 inch) with soil. The final spacing should be about two feet from each other. The soil should be around 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to Grow
Mexican Sunflowers do not like cold weather. The soil type is not very important since these plants can grow in average to rich soil as long as it is well drained. Also, it is ideal to mix in plenty of compost before planting in order to achieve optimum growth. It is also very important to have full sun to grow well.
Mexican Sunflowers are tolerant to drought and do not need much watering. The top three inches of soil should be allowed to dry out before watering. To promote healthy growth, applying some general purpose fertilizer can also be done sometime early in the season. Because of the height of these plants, staking may be required especially in places with heavy winds.
Tithonia flowers will start to bloom sometime during summer. To encourage more flowers, deadhead spent blooms. This will encourage the plant to produce blooms all the way to fall. Insect and disease problems are not common with these plants.
Klein’s usually carries the following tithonia varieties:
‘Fiesta del Sol’–2000 AAS Winner. The first truly dwarf tithonia. Single, 2-3″ daisy flowers on lush 2-3′ plants. Excellent for cut flowers and attracting butterflies. Pest- free.
Torch Series–A quick-growing, gorgeous, tall variety that thrives on summer heat. Super-easy to grow and great for the back-of-the-border. Brilliant orange-scarlet flowers are great for cutting. 48-60″ tall.
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.
Olbrich Garden’s Blooming Butterflies Exhibit
Through 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.
Guided Garden Strolls @ Olbrich Gardens
Sundays, through August 27, 1:30-2:30 pm
Get an insider’s view of Olbrich’s outdoor gardens during a free guided garden stroll. All ages are welcome for this casual overview of the Gardens. Guided garden strolls will vary somewhat according to the season to reflect the garden areas that are at peak interest.
Strolls start and end in the lobby near the Garden entrance and are about 45 to 60 minutes in length. No registration is required; strolls are drop-in only. Strolls are held rain or shine and will be cancelled only in the event of dangerous lightning.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
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.)
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.
Growing for Fall Harvest Workshop at Allen Centennial Garden
Wednesday, August 2, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Learn the best techniques, plants, and strategies for keeping your gardening going later into the season. Participants will take home a dozen veggies perfect for a feasible fall harvest.
Cost: $35. Register @ Sold Out
Allen Centennial Gardens
620 Babcock Dr. on the University of WI campus, Madison
608/576-2501 or allencentennialgarden.org for details.
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
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Sunday, August 6, 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, August 6, 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
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.
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.
Learning Together: Tremendous Trees @ the Arboretum
Tuesday, August 9, 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 31 @ https://arboretum.wisc.edu/group-classes/learning-together-tremendous-trees/ . Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Dragonfly Monitoring Walk @ the Arboretum
Wednesday, August 9, 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
Plant Based Dyes Workshop at Allen Centennial Garden
Wednesday, August 9, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Help us pot plants from our dye garden, and learn to extract dye from plants to color yarn, clothing, and more! Each participant will dye and take home three bundles of yarn, 75 grams each, for your future arts and crafts. Each participant will also complete a short art project with their yarn. Leave with a take home list of easily grown or foraged dye plants, so that you can try your new skills at home. This 60-minute project was designed for those aged 18 and up.
Cost: $55. Register @ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dyeing-with-easily-grown-plants-tickets-627037434847?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, August 10, 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/2023-08-10/ .
Rotary Botanical Gardens
1455 Palmer Dr., Janesville, WI
608/752-3885 or www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org/
Perseid Meteor Shower Night Walk and Stargazing @ the Arboretum
Saturday, August 12, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Let your eyes adjust to the moonlight, listen to the night sounds, and experience the darkness on this naturalist-led walk, followed by stargazing (as cloud cover allows) during the Perseid meteor shower with UW Space Place. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Meet at the Visitor Center. Free. Register by August 9: https://uw-madison-arboretum.eventbrite.com.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Sunday, August 13, 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
Dahlia Show @ the Goodman Center
Saturday, August 19, 11:00-4:00
Sunday, August 20, 10:00-2:00
Goodman Community Center
149 Waubesa St., Madison, WI 53704
Dahlias are late summer bloomers known for their diverse forms and bright colors. Sponsored by the Badger State Dahlia Society.
On Sunday at 2 p.m., we give away all the blooms, so bring a vase or bucket to carry away some beautiful and FREE cut blooms for your table.
Please visit badgerdahlia.org/meetings-and-events/ for updated info as the dates approach.
Nature Hike in the Grady Tract @ the Arboretum
Sunday, August 20, 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 seasonally prepared for weather and insects. Walks take place rain or shine, except in unsafe weather. Free, no registration required. Meet at Grady Tract parking lot, southeast corner of Seminole Hwy. and W. Beltline Frontage Rd.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Fun with Fungi @ the Arboretum
Sunday, August 20, 1:30 pm – 3:30 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
Dragonfly Monitoring Walk @ the Arboretum
Saturday, August 26, 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
Garden Stroll @ the Arboretum
Sunday, August 27, 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
GLEAM, Art in a New Light @ Olbrich Gardens
August 30 thru October 28
Wednesdays thru Saturdays in September from 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. in October, rain or shine
In the gardens @ Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Featuring large-scale light installations, Olbrich’s GLEAM exhibit transforms the outdoor gardens and tropical conservatory into a land of luminous lullabies. Open a doorway to another universe, arrange a dazzling kaleidoscope of flowers, explore a maze of shadows, talk with the guardians of the forest and so much more! Enriched by the dreamy installations of our talented designers, you’ll be enchanted by the nighttime beauty of the Gardens!
Advanced timed-tickets are required.
General Public – $16
Olbrich Members – $12
Child (ages 6-12) – $8
Free - 5 & Under
Additional online processing fees apply to each reservation.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
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.
Parking is always FREE!
For details visit www.northsidefarmersmarket.org
AUGUST IN THE GARDEN-–A checklist of things to do this month.
___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.
___Deadheading spent blooms as needed.
___Collect seeds for next year’s garden.
___Make notes in your garden journal for changes, improvements, etc.
___Take pictures of your garden for record keeping.
___Stake and support tall plants as needed.
___Divide daylilies as they finish blooming.
___Transplant and divide iris and peonies.
___Plant late crops of lettuce, spinach, radishes, etc.
___Order spring bulbs for fall planting: daffodils, tulips, hyacinth, etc.
___Plant fall blooming crocus bulbs.
___Fertilize potted plants at least every 2 weeks. Follow directions.
___Stop fertilizing all trees and shrubs.
___Keep and eye on the weather. Water as needed.
___Watch for pests and control as needed or desired.
___Shop for early mum selection and fall pansies.
___Begin checking out the garden centers for spring bulb selection.
___Stop watering held over amaryllis for 8 weeks for holiday blooms.
___Begin taking cuttings of geraniums, coleus and other plants to winter over.
___Visit Klein’s—Watch for end of season savings on perennials, shrubs and select annuals.
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 AUGUST:
—The poinsettias continue grow and thrive. They’re already so large, that we’ve had to give them adequate spacing.
–The first of the mums, pansies and fall cole crops go out onto the sales floor.
—Summer maintenance projects are under way.
—We continue to space and pamper the fall mums that are now just beginning to bloom by month’s end.
—Many of our perennial, shrub and many annual orders have already been placed for the 2024 season.
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